Hi. I have a chronic illness that unfortunately worsened considerably and unexpectedly after I had my 3rd child 3 years ago. I am in constant pain and sometimes the related fatigue is debilitating to the point that it takes conscious, physically exhausting effort just to keep breathing. I have to lie down a lot on the sofa and my 3 year old and I just survive in the lounge together until Daddy gets home from work. He doesn't get taken to the park, he occasionally gets taken to a special invite-only playgroup for parents who need additional support on my mobility scooter when I feel well enough to go, he lives off instant junk food like crackers and crisps when I feel like this, that I can get easily for him and need no preparation, and he just watches crappy YouTube channels all day or plays by himself. I am barely getting myself through the day when I feel like this, never mind providing a nurturing stimulating environment for him that he needs 😔 He goes to a childminder 2 days a week to A) give me much needed respite and B) give him more of what he needs but that is the only support we get as we have no family nearby and no friends to help. I am very isolated, unable to get out much, and feel like I am failing him completely. When I get like this, I can't even sing songs or read him a story as they make me too breathless and lightheaded, and I daren't do anything that might make me physically unable to even supervise him and keep him safe. Being conscious is a bare minimum with a toddler but at least I can just about achieve that as long as I lie still and barely move, which is hardly good for a toddler who needs an active involved parent 😔
I need practical tips please on how I can give him more of what he needs given my very limited resources. Or details of external support agencies that might be able to provide advice. I've already tried HomeStart and they don't have anyone available to help. I sometimes get to the point of thinking he would be better off being adopted than stuck here with me being useless all day...😢