Managing two toddlers at home

[frillseeking]

Just after a bit of advice. DD is nearly 3 and goes to nursery one day a week (will be increasing soon) and I have 18 month old DS. I'm a SAHM. Find it v tricky managing the two of them at home. If I set up an activity such as painting for DD, my DS just wades in and wrecks everything. This morning I was trying to do some learning with her on the laptop and he just climbs all all over me and smashes the keys so she then gets annoyed. He plays with his toys and we play together but his concentration span is obviously very limited compared to hers and I'm feeling like she's missing out. We go to playgroups and have play dates but it's when we're at home it's difficult so after any advice or tips please! Thank you

Use nap time wisely. When I was only schooling, we saved reading – the one subject that required quiet and my undivided attention – for the afternoons when her sibling was napping.
Dedicate some time to spend entirely focussed on your youngest. Sometimes, the mischief of a toddler stems from a plea for attention. After some 1:1 time, mine was more ready to toddle off for independent play.
Work out what occupies your youngest. It may be a case if trial and error, of simply persevering. I kept a large plastic box of rice handy that my toddler could scoop in and drive his trucks through on the kitchen floor. That was what kept him bushiest for longest.
Don’t feel guilty about using screens. Used sparingly and thoughtfully, they are a life saver.
Teach your oldest how to play with her little brother. You might have to create/buy some activities which lend themselves to this.
Consider reversing the use of the playpen. If your older child has a something that needs protecting from little hands like a painting easel or Duplo model (or small parts that are choking hazards), consider having them do it in the play yard or beyond the baby gate.
Remember that this phase will pass. Your youngest, treated respectfully with love and guidance, will grow to a new stage that is physically easier to manage.

Thank you ricekrispie, some good advice and things to think about. I think this stage is, and probably will be, the hardest until my youngest gets to the next stage. I feel like I'm failing both of them sometimes at the moment as they both fight for my attention and both end up crying and screaming. Sometimes I just feel like I'm not very good at this stage. Newborn/ young baby is easy and then from 2 upwards but I just find this middle stage very hard. He's happiest when he's climbing all over me and he's easily pleased really but that involves lots of things he shouldn't do like climbing onto the toilet, going behind the tv, emptying the cupboards. I'll definitely try the rice and trucks activity as he's started to play with his toy trucks a lot more now so thank you for that one.