4 pm slump

[Bluebellsandsunflowers]

I was wondering if anyone experiences similar or has any advice?

I'm a sahm to my 12 month old dd. From the moment we get up we are playing and expoloring; looking at books, singing songs with instruments, practicing her walking, building blocks, rolling balls, and doing sensory/messy play (such as gloop, flowers and water, play dough etc). I also love making her little toys and activities for us to explore together (like sensory bottles, ribbon hoops, ball drop games etc). After lunch we like to take a walk or go to the park, but there isn't much to do in our village and I'm still learning to drive so can't take her out by myself.

Some days she has two naps, but some days she only has one. On the days she only has one nap though, I'm finding that I get in a real 'slump' by 4 pm. I don't have the energy or inclination to do much, and I find I'm relying on TV before dinner which I don't like doing. Then especially when my husband is working, I feel I'm just going through the motions of dinner/bath/story/bed, rather than truly enjoying it.

Does anyone please have any advice? Thank you

thatverynight that's a good suggestion, I've actually never tried back carrying as she always used to pull my hair. I'll ask dh to help me practise how to do it, and give it a try.

An hours tv is nothing to beat yourself up over as said. It sounds like your doing an absolutely fab job.

Have you introduced crayons yet? I find that DD is happy to be in the high chair if she has a piece of paper (or Disney colouring book that granny bought her) and some chunky crayons. It took a bit of building up (lots of throwing crayons in the floor) but now she'll happily do 15 mins of attacking a piece of paper while I cook/wash up/ tidy [insert endless list of jobs].

Your whole day seems to revolve around your DDs entertainment and so yes,I get that at the end of the day you might be feeling tired and out of ideas!! My same age DDs day seems very very different to yours!! Many more walks to shops/libraries/popping in to see friends/running errands etc etc. I have older children though so I guess that makes a big difference. Why don't you take a bus somewhere and do things you want to do? Galleries/museums/clothes shopping/go out for coffees with your friends? Your DD wil enjoy getting out and about and you don't need to think of stuff to do and experience the 4pm slump.

Thanks, to be honest I do need to get out with her more. There are a few buses from our village a day, but for some reason I always get a bit nervous to do the trip which is silly. I'm so looking forward to when I can drive and take her out and about more, as right now my every waking moment (other than when she's sleeping) is focused on her.

I hadn't thought of getting her some chunky crayons, I sometimes get out paint but that's so messy! I think I'm finding it harder as she seems to be getting up earlier now; even with black out curtains it gets pretty bright in her room first thing.

It doesn't matter if you are just going through the motions at bedtime, sound like she has your loving attention all day.
You don't need to be the best ever mum, you just need to love her, and put some thought into her needs. Which you are doing.
And anyway trying to have no needs will not work for either of you in the long term.