What do you do when you're struggling with parenting?

[QWE96]

Any tips on how to get through the days? I have a DS (4), lots of support, but feel like I'm on autopilot always. Do what needs to get done but count down the hours to bedtime. I wish I felt the reward element of it more. I wish I could love parenting the way other parents do. I feel like a fraud. Any advice would be appreciated.

Can you start introducing him to things that you like?

TV/films you loved as a kid. Music you like to dance round to. Any hobbies you have. A sport you love. Read books you loved as a child. Do you like colouring or board games or Lego or baking?

Also, take the pressure off of house/admin stuff to give you time to enjoy something together. Let standards slip a little and curl up and watch a movie together.

Thanks for your suggestions! He loves to read and that's something we really bond over. We also dance around to music often. Lego is his favorite, but trying to keep his attention for more than 5 minutes on anything else is so difficult. Do you have any potential tips on how to increase this? I feel like I've tried everything

I have a 4 year old and nearly two year old. I absolutely love settling down for quiet time with some popcorn and a film when my youngest is napping.

Tbh I find he is good company now and we can do things like clothes shopping together, walks with a coffee stop.

Both mine love helping, so crack on with what you need to do, lower your standards in term of time and let them help. I.e mine happily pushes a mop, will use a cloth and spray bottle (I fill an empty one with water), he’ll help me gardening - give them a job like holding something.

This time of year is easiest for me - get outside!

I send my 3.5 year old to a forest nursery with her funded hours. In just a few days, she became calmer, more focused and even more imaginative than she used to be. And it saves me the guilt of not always being able to take her outside (new baby). She's been at forest school for 2.5 months now and it's hands down the best thing I've done.

Just getting outdoors as much as possible or signing up for local outdoor activities can also make a world of difference.

Now that spring has arrived hopefully it will get easier!