I feel like a terrible parent

[Hwipriv]

Hi. I am absolutely desperate for advice, I have an 8 month old little girl and I am also 6 months pregnant. I love her with every inch of my being, she is always fed, looked after and I always try to make sure she is smiling and happy.

But currently due to unforeseen circumstances with my housing, I am staying in a supported accommodation mother and baby home until I am housed. I have a tiny room, it is a shared house. I have barely a metre of space to walk in this room, my daughter has toys but I cannot fit a play mat.. walker or anything like that. I'm quite low living here, and I am finding it hard to parent effectively and give my daughter the fun times she deserves.

I am so low on energy due to the pregnancy(I am also recovering from a serious physical trauma from the pregnancy I just went through) .. and
I keep putting peppa pig on. She loves it. It stops her crying and allows me to actually do things. I put it on a lot. And I feel really bad about it. Because I don't have the room or facilities, it's an easy way of keeping her entertained. I promised myself I'd never do it before she was born, and now here I am. On most of the day. And I want to cry. I turn it off and start playing with her but I cannot tickle her properly or whiz her round the room like she loves; because I am not physically able to handle it at the moment due to recent surgery and being pregnant. She's a very bright little girl and is hitting her milestones brilliantly, but I feel like TV is stopping all of that and it's my fault. But I don't have a home. I can't set up a brilliant play area for her, I can't do anything.

Have any of you guys got any advice on what I can do in a tiny space to keep her entertained? She is just starting to crawl and stand, she is a loud adventurous little thing. She mainly sits in her cot because there isn't enough room on the floor. It's really dire. I am just stuck and feel horrible.

OP, that sounds so hard. You're doing the best you can under difficult circumstances. Is there a communal space at all or do you only really have your room? I wouldn't worry too much about the TV. Your dd clearly has a mummy who loves her. My dd loved peekaboo at that age - still does! And read books to her when you can. Could you get a shaker?

Take care and I hope things turn around soon for you.

Gosh that sounds really difficult ♥ I think you're doing a great job and if Peppa Pig is what keeps her entertained for now then that's absolutely fine, I really wouldn't worry. Otherwise could you play some music/nursery rhymes, read books? Are there any local grassy areas you could take her for a while each day?
I think you're so strong though and you sound like a great mum x

I'm so sorry for your situation.

Lots of nursery rhymes and songs with actions? Some drumming using various objects as percussion? Looking out of the window and around the room and through an old magazine, spotting and naming things?

And even when you have the television on, maybe you could talk to her about what's on?

It sounds like you're doing an amazing job in very difficult circumstances. And it sounds like your daughter is developing so well.

You sound like a great mum op. Your interating with your daughter which is the main thing. Hope you get housed soon xx babies can find blowing bubbles facinating x

OP your situation sounds really tough especially in the current situation so don't give yourself a hard time about the TV. When I was pregnant with my second peppa pig was definitely on way too much but pregnancy wipes you out and you've gotta do what you've gotta do tbh.

As others have said nursery rhymes with actions are great at this age. And books, simple books with pictures of things that are easily recognisable. Point to the pictures and name things, make noises (animal noises, choo choo for train, brrrrm for car etc). Babies of all ages can learn so much from books.

Are you in a position to get out for the daily exercise? If so then try to get out every day, take her for walk in in the pushchair, talk to her on your walks, point things out. The fresh air is so good for you both as well.

Sounds like you are a really loving mum

Sounds like you're having a tough time OP but also like your doing at great job. Can you get out for a buggy walk with her? In terms of toys, DS absolutely loved things like stacking cups and those stacking rings but the biggest hit was a sensory box - you just find random objects and put them together for them to explore so it might be a hair brush, a spoon, a scarf, a sponge, some dried pasta in a clean drinks bottle.

Oh my gosh it's FINE!! You're doing amazingly well. Mine are teenage now and they're thriving despite the amount of television they watched and it e a lot!

You’re doing the best you can in a very difficult situation. It’s clear that you love your daughter very much!

I’ve got a nearly 8 month old little girl and I cannot imagine how tired you must be to be pregnant right now- I think you deserve the title of Supermum! Take each day as it comes, you’re doing great

Honestly, I think it’s absolutely fine to put on the TV!

I would maybe not always use Peppa Pig but there are lots of nursery rhyme animations on you tube, eg little baby bum and if you can watch BBC iPlayer there is a show called The Baby Club which is just like a baby group in your local library or community centre which you can join in and sing songs on. In the Night Garden is a classic for that age too! I think there are a few others programmes aimed at babies on iPlayer.

If you can get out let her have crawl around at the park on some grass. Take a little picnic and a ball.

What's most important is that she is happy and well. Don't worry about the TV. I doubt she will fall behind on any milestones but if she does, kids are really good at bouncing back.

Honestly, in your situation, I think you're doing brilliantly

She's happy and loved. Give yourself some slack. Things will change and she won't remember this time

The fact that you care about all of these things shows that you are a great mum. She will just love being around you, listening to you, watching you do things.

Definitely sing songs to her with actions, clapping etc etc. If you go on YouTube type in Cocomelon or Little Baby Bum for some good nursery rhymes and also just something a bit different if you're getting sick of Peppa yourself 😂

Read books, showing her the pictures, pointing at things and saying the words. Doesn't matter if it's the same couple of books over and over again. She will find different things to look at each time.

Give her every day objects to play with, a teaspoon, a wooden spoon, a flannel, a sponge, something that feels silky and smooth, introduce her to different textures, colours, shapes.

Put her in front of a mirror and let her admire herself 😊

Don't bear yourself up. Looking after a baby can be tough at the best of times but being pregnant and in lockdown is hard going. Be kind to yourself x

Hopefully you will be housed soon. Although I'm wondering why you're having another baby if you don't have a roof over your head? Is the Dad not around to take baby out for a walk for an hour ?

Keep your chin up things will get better

You just do what you need to at the moment and know your daughter is loved and treasured by you, that is all she needs. The rest will work itself out x

Dazzband that is the OPs business and not ours at the moment. Not helpful to someone struggling to keep it together.

You’re doing a really good job in such tough circumstances. I agree with a pp who said to talk to her about what’s happening in Peppa Pig- that way she’s entertained but still getting some interaction from you. But seriously don’t worry about it- this won’t be forever and it sounds like she’s got a loving and engaged mummy, so a bit (or a lot!) of tv isn’t anything to worry about imo.

Are you able to get out for a walk once a day? Think some fresh air would be great for both of you if it’s feasible.

As it shared supported accommodation, are there any communal gardens that you could say a blanket out and spread out for a bit at points in the day, even if it means putting on warm coats?