To wonder if it’s normal to not enjoy days with your children ?

[thepuppetshow]

I work part time and have two days a week off with my children and I dread them a bit.

They are lovely but so demanding (obviously they are as they’re only little) and I struggle to fill the day with them.

Is it the same for anyone else?

How old are they?

DC is 6 and I’m definitely enjoying the time more & more

Fern - I actually do enjoy them individually but together it’s often awful if I’m honest … One is approaching 4 and one is 14 months.

Yip, same here, however it's got less and less the older they get and choices of activities get bigger and better

It’s going to get So Much Better. Those ages are hard work!

Yadnbu, small kids can be very draining, i hate kiddy stuff.

Easy to feel overwhelmed, when they're that age.

At that age, yes it is normal. Everything is hard work and intense. As they get older and more independent it changes and becomes less hard work and more fun!

Totes normal!

Very normal at those ages. It will get better!

Thanks, dc1 starts school next September so the days off will automatically be easier then. Just have to get through the next year!

Hi OP, I have 2, one is 4.5 and the other is 14 months. I am the same, it is hell when they're together. DH and I always talk about how we dream of them getting older but at the same time we don't want to wish it away. It's such a head fuck!

I think it is very very very normal to feel this way. Everyone I know struggles with their kids behaviour and time off with them. We are already planning Christmas and how we can do something every day to keep busy and get out this house!

That's a bad stage OP. I found it got easier as the younger one got bigger and they could do some of the same things and entertain each other.

Thank you! At the moment one of them is always whining or crying - it’s exhausting.

You're not alone but it gets so much better

Yes it's normal and yes it's why being at home full time can be incredibly gruelling.
There have been good posts on here about structure to the day, trying to get out to toddler groups or soft play, either am or pm then get art out or something creative.
Long baths.

Can you not go full time at work OP?

At that age… no, not unreasonable.

I didnt really start enjoying mine until they were 5 and older!

This is where we struggle. We do go out in the morning but my eldest is definitely outgrowing the toddler stuff, and while he’s very tolerant of it I am conscious he’s nearly double the size of lots of the children. The little one still enjoys them though.

Then arty things … the baby would probably enjoy making a mess but my eldest isn’t really into crafts or anything like that and if I’m honest neither am I. So I have to think of something for the ‘afternoon shift’ if you like!

That is an exhausting age - very demanding in their different ways, and unable to entertain each other.

Any chance that on your days off you could have them alternately in nursery, so you get a day with each of them separately?

I could! But (I’m going to sound so awkward now) I don’t think it would be in their best interests especially the baby. I might not enjoy my days off but they do!

Then I wouldn’t be able to go full time until September 25 at the earliest and dc1 starts school then so a bit daft.

I have thought of that duchess … costly though.

Its a hard combination of ages. Its ok to feel like this but also not to necessarily want full time work- its like all the rewarding bits are enough even though its knackering. Plus it really is better for a child of 14 months to have a bit more time at home if its financially possible

Lego for oldest? Making something?
Or if your busy and out in the am with walk, club activity... Then tv for a little in the afternoon?

Play doh, stamp set, basic card games, role play, den building... Kinetic sand

Bloody difficult ages, it gets better for sure. I used to mentally break the day up into 30 minute stints. If an activity lasted longer than 30 minutes it was a miracle.

This is an amateur with only one child speaking, but would it be better to prioritise doing things the older one enjoys, and finding ways to manage the littl'un during it?

My son was uninterested in arts and crafts too. All was OK as long as he was moving. The only painting he enjoyed was stark naked painting a wall or fence with big brushes and a bucket of water - I recommend this.