Guilt is consuming me

[crazybutkind]

I feel awful! I'm 36 weeks pregnant and at home with toddler. I'm uncomfortable and exhausted, i constantly find myself either feeding my toddler or putting her in front of her iPad. She had my phone yesterday and made a video I found it this morning and clear as day I hear her say "I'm bored".

It's hit me hard and the guilt is consuming me. Any activity I set up she has zero interest.

She wants me to play doll house, pr picnic with her dolls or building on the floor and I physically can't sit down and play with her for longer than 5 mins.

She has started kicking out for attention

Help!

Stop beating yourself up. It’s lockdown, you’re heavily pregnant and I don’t know a single on the planet parent that enjoys imagination play for any length of time even when they can get down on the floor!

It won’t harm her at all to be bored. I think we spend our lives thinking kids need to be doing something at all times or we’re totally shit parents, but it’s not the case!

Can you get out for a walk? I’ve found that helps both Dd and I a lot. Or get your dd to bring the things up onto the sofa so you can play with her up there?

Could you set the dolls house up at the table? Or get down and play for 5 mins, then just nip off to 'do something' then back, play for another 5 mins etc? Or set up activities at the table, aim for 20 mins solid interaction painting/drawing/reading stories/playing dolls etc then 20 mins tv snack then another activity? Are there any grandparents she could FaceTime and show them her dolls so she is playing with them? Plonk her in a bubbly bath with toy animals/cars/dolls/funnels/plastic tubs and bottles and let her play as long as she wants while you sit on a chair with a brew? Mine didn't always want a bath but if I let them wear their swimming costumes that made it more fun in their minds 😂

It is awful being so pregnant in the heat with a toddler. If you can manage to put in a solid 20 minutes of attention it might be enough to keep her occupied for a while.

When we go for a walk she is great for the first few meters then wants carrying which I can't do much of. So then we end up with a screaming toddler who refuses to move. We have been going to feed the ducks twice a week at the pond just around the corner but even that is becoming a challenging task.

I am at the point of tears each morning when DH goes to work which just kicks my day off and I'm already dreading the unknown.

Yesterday was a lovely day so I set up the sand, paddling pool, easel and paints outside and she had absolutely no interest.

Nursery is reopening soon and I can't face putting anyone at risk at the moment and don't feel I warrant childcare help considering I'm sat at home and other parents actually need it but my family can see I'm struggling and keep pushing it on me "don't worry Nursery is open soon"

You are doing a great job, so far along pregnant, a toddler (which I am to understand is no easy task :-D ) so try to be kind to yourself.

It is beneficial for kids to be bored. In my baby days no one entertained kids, toddlers or otherwise! They were left to use their own imagination and to play by themselves and we all grew up OK.

It is absolutely fine not to constantly entertain your kids :)