I've put them in front of the telly AGAIN because it feels like easiest thing to do

[DriveMeMad]

Ugh. I'm relying on the TV far too much. I hate them having this much screen time but my 14mo and nearly 4yo drive me nuts when we're all at home....

DD1 is getting to an age where she can play nice games like snap and wants me to help her do puzzles etc but DD2 trashes it all if we try. DD2 is super clingy at the moment and won't be put down. DD1 gets cross and frustrated with this, and god forbid if she comes to sit on my lap - DD2 goes nuts. So I feel sad for DD1 and also I'm frustrated because even clearing up lunch stuff takes forever because they are shouting and hollering at me for something.

So cbeebies is back on. They are relatively still and quiet. I still can't crack on with any jobs because DD2 won't let me leave the room and I don't want to leave DD1 downstairs glued to the tv on her own.

DD1 is wanting to watch telly all the time so I know we are establishing awful habits. I know it's a total cop out but at least they aren't screeching, whining or tugging at me.

We went out this morning but been in since lunch. I'm knackered and drained from DD2 not ever bloody sleeping.

Sigh. I guess this is just part and parcel of having kids this age, right? Or am I just shit and lazy? I think it might be the latter.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Having a 14mo is exhausting and you need eyes in the back of your head! Could you have one on one time with 4yo if you put younger one to bed and hour earlier than her? There is no such thing as the perfect Mother. Although there's always one or two hippy "perfect" Mums always posting "look at how great I am" photo's on FB. It's bloody tiring and if you can get thru the day and they're fed, watered, clean and happy, that's good enough. They've got full bellies, they're warm, they've a roof over their head. I always felt that I didn't play enough with mine as well. It was like taking a trip on the Train of Guilt every day. But guess what, they're now 18 and 17 and doing just great. You need time for you as well. Happy Mum makes happy kids. Treat yourself now and again. And try to get time to yourself.

It was like taking a trip on the Train of Guilt every day.

This totally sums up how I feel!!!

DD2 has a long lunchtime nap but whilst I'm getting her down i have to out the tv on for DD1, otherwise she comes and disturbs DD2. I'm them wiped out and take the easy option again of just vegging with DD1 because a) I'm tired too and want to zone out and sit on my phone, b) it's the easiest way to keep DD1 quiet so she doesn't wake DD2, and c) DD1 often protests when the telly goes off which would also result in DD2 waking up.

We're much better when we're out all day but I find that exhausting too.

It was like taking a trip on the Train of Guilt every day.

Never has a phrase summed it up so perfectly!

Seriously it's fine. Put the TV on, have a break. Is it on all day? No. If you want to cut it down, wean yourself off. Delay it for 15 mins one day, 30 mins the next.

But most importantly, have a rest