Is there anywhere you can drop two toddlers off for a few hours when you are having a complete meltdown and can't cope anymore?

[shattered77]

I was thinking in terms of Ikea (one hour from age 3) etc. I'm just having a crappy time at the moment and support network has disappeared suddenly. DC are one and three and don't feel strong enough to take them out and deal with constant tantrums etc. hopefully I'll feel back to my strong self soon. Just wondered if I was missing a trick!

Any chance of swapping to the afternoons for preschool?

Hopefully you'd then get the best of them in the morning and then it would break up the afternoon. After lunch is a long time until bedtime!

Hope you find a solution and being a sahm can be hard going, especially in winter if money is tight in my opinion. Soft play and the like is expensive.

I now work one day a week, sometimes more if I can get the childcare. I felt such angst about leaving them before I started but I positively skip into work on my days in.

It's a hard slog being at home I think and I do mostly love it. Don't feel bad about it.

But shattered. You have to do what works for you. No good being a matyr, it won't be good for dcs in long run.

I know what you mean about the guilt OP. I feel it too, like I should be reading to them, playing with them or doing Pinterest-inspired crafts with them all day. But the more mothers I speak to, I realize it's pretty rare to do it completely on your own without any help; so many seem to have willing parents or Inlaws to step in and give them a break occasionally.

Hope you manage to get a breather

Just wanted to say thank you for all the help, advice and support yesterday. Thanks to MN I think I've found a childminder for two afternoons per week. Local and just about affordable (it will have to be). I'm actually smiling today

Fantastic news! Hopefully this will give you some needed respite.

I had 3 boys under 3.5 so i know how you feel (and no family around either!).
I found that arranging playdates were a lifesaver. Invite a friend over, her kids will entertain your kids and you can have a cup of tea and a chat... win win!
Always plan something, toddler group/playdate/local swim pool (esp if it has shallow end, kids love it)/ toddler classes/preschool/gym creche/babysitter. You can find lots of local activities on Netmums. Some preschool offer extended hours too.
Good luck, it will get easier

Im really pleased for you op, sounds just what you need.

OP that's brilliant news, fantastic

Great news op, but please also look at Homestart. They are set up to support mums with young children and will give you 2-3 hours of support every week, watching the children, offering you emotional support, practical help, etc etc. I'm a volunteer and can tell you that we are very well trained, non judgemental, and are all parents who have been through what you are going through. Please give it a go, it is completely confidential and you can pull out at any time if it's not working out, but it can literally be a life and sanity saver.

Thanks again. I did look up Home Start but there is nothing in my city. Sounds amazing though.