Parenting - feel like a failure today

[challis34]

It's freezing, grey and miserable here today. I took my son, who is 21 months, to the park this morning, we had a quick go on the swings then came home. He had his lunchtime nap, then he had a long bath and he has been watching TV for the last 2 (yes 2!!) hours. I'm exhausted as have been ill recently, needed a break and hate going out in the cold.

But I feel so guilty at how little we've done today.

@challis34

There’s nothing wrong with a chill day, but I know he’s having far too much screen time - and it’s my fault for being lazy

Learn to offset or reward yourself: We go to the park precisely so I can give screen time whilst feeling guilt-free Best advice: parent well for exactly however long you can each day, then keep them occupied, happy and fed. So.. if twenty mins quality time is all you can manage, go home from the park after twenty minute and let them eat cereal in from of CBeebies. Honestly, they’ll only remember the park in twenty years anyway, and much better to do twenty great minutes than 12 hours of being irritated.

OP, sounds like an average day for us. If it helps, my DS watches a lot of TV and has a very active imagination I don’t think TV stops kids from playing.

There is so much guilt caused by people who pretend their children don't watch more than 10 minutes Tv every other day. In my experience people watch much more than anyone will ever admit.