2.5 year old at home

[Humptydumpty666]

Hi I'm struggling occupying my toddler all day. I do like a few crafts and play dough, brio, play with toys then just get really bored and I don't have the energy so let him watch tv for hours on end while I sort of just ignore him. I dont live near park either so thats no option. I ask him 'do you want to colour? Its 'no' and I do that about 10 times and just end up saying fine entertain yourself then. How do people entertain them ALL DAY

The idea is that he likes the occupations available; not you.

You need to get a grip because of you don't, your life is going to be hell when he's big enough to be really obstreperous.

No local park, but you can still walk together on pavements, show him things, talk to him, get some fresh air and excercise.

Well I am not a robot, im not that kind of parent and there are no pavements within 10 miles of where I live. Big enough to be what?? I believe the police can deal with naughty children quite well.

I'm sorry, I don't know anyone who can keep a two year old occupied all day, I just don't. I appreciate instagram and @2bazookas may judge us both for that but not all children are the same.

My daughter will be occupied for hours where my son goes nuts within minutes. I've checked with friends, the Internet and the hv and apparently you can expect an attention span of four minutes so in fact my little one does quite well - but that doesn't mean I have 15 activities lined up every hour of the day.

Getting out helps, him helping with chores or just being in another room helps but do not accept the judgement of others who tell you to get a grip 🙄

You're doing great, toddlers are hard work!

I have severe post partum depression the GP literally said dont bother asking for help there is none. I live in the countryside and driving to the park costs a lot in fuel. Crafts play dough I can set it all up and it will be bored after 10 minutes. I have heard twinkl but it isnt free, doesnt download on phone (i dont have a computer)

I mean im not an early years practitioner obviously they have a plan and routine with the children they entertain all day there just must be a good structure with solid activities i can put together a routine but i dont know i just wonder if others have it more together than me. Any sort of resources or apps i can then go and put my days together a bit better.

Are there any toddler groups or activities near you? Some can be quite expensive, but there's usually play and stay style ones that only cost a couple of pounds.

I'm sorry to hear you have post partum depression, that must be really hard.

I don't have a great routine, I keep trying though - I've got a 6 month old as well so it's hard to keep them both occupied.

I try and play with toys in the morning - blocks or duplo or puzzles. Then we go out (which I appreciate doesn't help you). Snacks at 10ish. Then we have lunch and nap, or nap then lunch depending on how tired he is - lunch is always 1230 so if he naps first then he'll eat after. The afternoon is tricky - I try and do chores while he "helps". This usually means I do laundry and he empties his bookshelf or I wash up and he puts fridge magnets everywhere or I clear the dining room and give him pretend food to play with (dry pasta or lentils). After that on a good day, we'll do arts and crafts, messy play or music and on a bad day, we'll put the TV on.

The bad days outweigh the good days right now, we're all ill, I'm exhausted. I know good days are right around the corner.

Audio books - (try you tube or Spotify for freebies) are a godsend, Pinterest is amazing. I find the harder I try, the more disappointed I am though - I'm trying to keep it simple now after the orange paint fiasco and potato print gate.

@Jules912 thank you I did take my LO to classes, a lot, then the fuel practically doubled and I decided to put him in nursery once a week and thats on UC just cant afford now. I have not found any local stay and plays but can have another look.

What are you doing for fresh air and exercise? Virtually all toddlers do better if you get them outside at least once, if not twice, a day most days. You're in the countryside. Do you have a garden? Footpaths or bridleways near you? Can you take a walk to see the sheep/cows/tractors or collect sticks/leaves/stones? Does he have a scooter or scuttlebug? Wellies for puddle jumping? A ball to throw, kick, and chase? (Yes, it can be like playing fetch with a dog, and yes, I have done this in our hallway when the weather or illness truly ruled out playing outside.)

I would also second getting him to 'help' with chores – 'helping' is defined as not slowing you down so much you're going backwards. But he's old enough to help take washing in and out of the machine, help match socks, help sweep or dust or wipe down surfaces (water/soap only), and so on. Often they really enjoy this sort of helping.

Beyond that, what's he interested in, what does he choose to play? Perhaps we can give you some ideas building on that.

If you live in the country is there just an area of basic greenery you can wander around with him? Let him pick up sticks, stones, watch birds etc etc. That's what my 2yo would do all day if I let him!

At this age they just don't have the attention span for those kinds of "sit down and craft" activities. Maybe I'd get 15 mins out of playdough or drawing but that's about it.

I agree with PP about getting them involved in your world- chores, cleaning, washing. Mine loves all that shit. Also is really into being read to: can you cuddle up under a blanket with a pile of books and see how you go? Otherwise, a bubble bath in the middle of the day? Mine also loves this daft thing where I sit on the floor and he runs at me from the other side of the room and jumps into my arms. Tires him out but he loves it, tiny little weirdo that he is :-)

Sorry I've just realised you haven\t actually said how old he was- for some reason I thought you'd said 2.

2 and a half, hes terrified of bath and shower he just stands in it and screams til its over, do reading and garden, plays with his cars and trains but then ends up throwing them, craft here and there and thats all in a few hours god knows what he does at nursery