Please tell me I'm not the only one

[lucyspe]

Literally feel like crying. I feel so guilty that my little boy is having his toddler years ripped away from him because of covid19. I feel like I'm failing him as before all of this he had a fulfilling little life. It's just me and him and I'd take him to groups etc so he could interact with other children and get new experiences and go to soft plays etc and now there's nothing for him. All I do is take him out a walk, go shopping and I end up putting the t.v on far too much. I play with him for hours in the house but I feel like it's not enough. We live far away from friends and don't have much family with little kids around. He is only 18 months old. It's getting to the point now when strangers come near him he screams because he is only seeing me all day every day. Please tell me I'm not the only one feeling like this?. I'm just praying it won't affect his development.

Toddlers are amazingly resilient and he won't remember any of this. You seem stressed though. It must be tough on your own.

At 18 months, kids don’t tend to play together anyway, they parallel-play.

Your dc will be absolutely fine playing with you. At his age he really only needs his mum. He will be perfectly happy and adjusted. However he might pick up on your stress so take time to relax. Have baths together, spend time outside, spend time getting messy or noisy or energetic together. Honestly, of all ages, he is probably the least affected.

Thanks for the reassurance x. I think I am just stressed as he only really has me and I want to make sure I'm doing enough for him.

You're his world. He really won't mind being with all the time. Before you know it he'll be at pre-school, then school making friends. Before the age of 3 or 4 they don't play with other children properly anyway. There's nothing to worry about at all. It must be exhausting for you though.