I have a DC just turned 4 and a 9 month old. I've fallen into a rut being stuck in the house and I'm struggling to get out of it, but I really want to try and enjoy the last few months of mat leave, rather than wishing time away.
I found the first 4 months of 2xDCs brutal, and had a difficult physical recovery, but just about started to get into the habit of some walks and park trips with both DCs. Then they both had chicken pox one after another and we seemed to be housebound for weeks on end, then covid, then we had a couple of little holidays in this country so not much time at home, then we've had a covid again. I'm pretty much recovered from covid (though still knackered) but I feel like I never really properly found my confidence of getting out with 2 of them alone.
DH works long hours and it's rare he has a day off with us, DC4 goes to nursery 3 days and we visit my parents once a week. So we have a few days at home to fill and at the moment I wish them away. I enjoy playing with DC4 who is now at a lovely age and doing crafts/baking, and love the nursery days with baby on my own. On these days I get out for long walks and errands. But I just struggle on days with both of them to get out. When we do have DH here we have trips out.
It's mainly anxiety about managing them both on my own out and about, because I've never done it. Our days at home are mostly nice but there's more tv than I'd like and I'm increasingly getting a bit fed up/short tempered because I know I'm just fed up of being cooped up and need to get out. But I can't seem to find the confidence for even a park by or supermarket trip with them both. I worry DC4 will run off, throw a tantrum, refuse to leave. All of which she has form for but when there's two parents there you can handle it. It's grown into a fear and I haven't been anywhere on my own with them both for months.
I don't have any mum friends who aren't working (they all only have elder DC or have recently gone back to work after second DC) so they are working during the week and family time at weekends.
We're relocating in the next few months so I don't want to start making new friends here, and I'm looking forward to returning to work in a couple of months but only really because I'm fed up of days in the house with the kids.
I really want to not wish away the rest of mat leave (which I'll never have again) and somehow get out and enjoy the DCs. My elder DC is ok as she has nursery and grandparents visit occupying most of the week but I worry she is starting to see mummy days as boring at home.
Is it normal to have no confidence at getting out with my own kids? I feel like I haven't found it yet and it's been 9 months I've had 2!!! Help!