Mum guilt and very tired

[LLLTB]

Hi just posting because I'm finding it difficult at the moment. My DD has just turned 2 and is so bored at home everyday with the whole lockdown stuff, I have resulted in putting the tv on for a couple of hours each day. But this just makes me guilty as I don't like her staring into the tv but I don't know what else to do. We do all the colouring and games etc.

I'm also 7 weeks pregnant and I'm not getting much sleep at the moment and the tiredness is horrible. I feel very isolated and like I'm not doing good enough for my daughter. My husband works a lot and long hours but he is great and lets me rest when I can.

Not really a question just thought I'd put it out there see if anyone feels the same

I'm in the same boat. We do playdough, sand etc, reading, blocks but he does watch TV aswell. I've got a chronic pain condition and I just can't play with him for 12 hours a day non stop.

We are doing our best. Try not to be hard on yourself, I bet he has tons of stimulation aswell. I don't think TV should be held up as this demon device.

I feel you, mama. My DS, 2 also, hasn't been sleeping great recently which has left me very tired during the day. And I try to keep him as active and engaged in as many different things as possible throughout the day, but sometimes I'm just so knackered that I either switch the TV on or give him the tablet. Today especially he definitely had too much screen time.

But he also had lots of time playing with blocks, we did a numbers puzzle, we went a walk and to the park where he played with another kid for a bit, we read lots of books before bed. For tomorrow I've got some things set up to do some sensory play with him and the screens will be off for most of the day. But everybody needs some downtime, both us and the kids. TV isn't this big bad thing. Everything in moderation.

My DP also works a ton. This week he's on for 6 days and works 12 hour shifts. He's a great support but unfortunately the way things are right now just means it's just me and DS home ourselves a lot. Especially now that I've just this week been put back on furlough. Work is my 'me time', so I've been finding that a little bit more difficult this week. But it is what it is.

Don't beat yourself up, you're doing a great job.

I am the same! My LG turned 2 on 5th November, and it is just tiring having a toddler full stop, they need so much stimulation, I am also 13 weeks pregnant so I feel you with that extra exhaustion. I try to get out for a brisk walk with my LO everyday, I think it's good for your mind. When we are in the house I turn the tele off for a while and sit on the floor and do role play type games, we will have a tea party where she sees me giving the dollys tea and snacks then she will follow the lead, also we practise shapes and colours (although she is slightly behind with speech at the moment) she will point and show me. Dont feel guilty, it is an incredibly unusual time in the world right now.. a bit of TV never hurt anyone! I often put on super simple songs on YouTube and she will dance and copy actions etc.. your doing your best! Keep going xx

Thanks for the reply's everyone it's nice to from others in a similar position makes me not feel so alone :)

@Bcal92

I am the same! My LG turned 2 on 5th November, and it is just tiring having a toddler full stop, they need so much stimulation, I am also 13 weeks pregnant so I feel you with that extra exhaustion. I try to get out for a brisk walk with my LO everyday, I think it's good for your mind. When we are in the house I turn the tele off for a while and sit on the floor and do role play type games, we will have a tea party where she sees me giving the dollys tea and snacks then she will follow the lead, also we practise shapes and colours (although she is slightly behind with speech at the moment) she will point and show me. Dont feel guilty, it is an incredibly unusual time in the world right now.. a bit of TV never hurt anyone! I often put on super simple songs on YouTube and she will dance and copy actions etc.. your doing your best! Keep going xx

Aw my daughter turned 2 on the 4th of November :) yes it's exhausting but I keep going, I just want to take her for a day out somewhere nice and engaging. We have both had a really good nights sleep tonight so we might see if we can manage a walk to the park :)

During the first 12 (probably more) weeks of my second pregnancy my 2 year old DD watched far too much tv but I was exhausted and I just felt I needed to get through the days. It was the same when DS was born and to be honest as long as they aren’t staring at the tv all day I don’t see anything wrong with a bit of screen time.

When things get a little rough and I feel like I'm not coping with the exhaustion and general mom life, I remind myself that she wont be this age forever.. one day I will reminisce on her being so little and full of energy and that strong will they get at this age, it pulls me through a bit... I hope you have a great day! Xx

Hello! I feel you. I have two sons, and the younger one constantly wants to play, to his friends, begins to be capricious.
They read books, watch TV, Netflix, the eldest son does lessons, they play with Lego, 3D pen, games on a tablet, and they are bored anyway. We are quarantined, so we only go for a walk to the park, when there are few people there.
I am sure that everything will get better soon. Good luck to you, you are a wonderful mom!

I don't think there's anything wrong with a bit of tv downtime, obviously if it was 8 hrs a day every day it would excessive but a couple while you have a break isn't going to do him any harm.

2 is about the age when my DD really enjoyed digging and finding stuff so one of the most successful games we did that she would play by herself for ages was to fill a plastic storage tub (quite bit, the kind you could put a ring binder sized thing in) with the incredibly cheap own brand rice crispies. Then I'd bury her Playmobil people in it and give her some plastic cups and spoons and let her move the rice crispies between the cups and spoons to discover the people.

A blanket under the box to collect any fallen rice crispies and a lid to save the contents for another day when they're done for the day.

I would also do a mid afternoon bath if I needed some quiet time as she could happily play and splash and cover everything in bubbles for half an hour to an hour while I sat on the floor of the bathroom and said encouraging things.