Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Stressed with a toddler at older kids football training

10 replies

Stressedoutisanunderstatement · 09/05/2023 19:50

My 6yr old was at a try out for football training but I had to stay with my almost 2yr old son.
He was tired, I was tired.
I let him walk around for a while before resorting to putting him back in his pram because he kept running across to his older brother, picking up other kids drinks bottles, throwing his toy cars into the coach's bags (which I left in there out of embarrassment) I did eventually try to distract him with netflix on my phone but he threw that after only 2 minutes. He then proceeded to kick off in his pram no matter what I did.
I get it, I know he's just a toddler and doesn't know better, but I felt other parents were judging me.

I struggle socially as it is so was already on edge, walking home after I felt deflated and exhausted and I'm considering not taking my 6yr old back again. The other parents I see on the school run are distant and don't seem to like me (though I am quiet and purposefully stand far at the back to avoid conversation...but it's not because I don't like them, I just feel so socially awkward I never know what to say)

Life is already stressful, but i want to do all I can for my kids. I dont have support from family who can watch my toddler for me, I left my older 2 kids at home while we went (they aren't old enough to watch my toddler).
I just wanted to do something nice for my 6yr old and feel it was just stress the entire time.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NoKnit · 09/05/2023 19:56

Surely you don't have to stay with a 6 year old though? Can't you just take toddler for a walk?

Stressedoutisanunderstatement · 09/05/2023 19:57

The coach said under7s need a parent there as they can get upset and need support

OP posts:
MyFaceIsAnAONB · 09/05/2023 20:01

Argh that is a pain. Sounds obvious but what is your 2 year old REALLLLY into, and is it in any way portable?

Pretty sure the other parents aren’t judging you. Other people aren’t thinking of you (in the nicest possible way! That thought helps my anxiety in these situations).

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

MyFaceIsAnAONB · 09/05/2023 20:02

Also what time of day was this? Snacks, snacks, picnic tea, snacks, drink.

snowbellsxox · 09/05/2023 20:05

Could you take a little play pack?
Water paint book
Cars
Some mini puzzles or drawing stuff?
Fidget toys

Those sorts of things books ..

lljkk · 09/05/2023 20:09

they are all thinking... "thank goodness that small child isn't my problem."

Honestly, anyone who has had small children knows what hard work & how irrational they are.

whatwhhat · 09/05/2023 20:21

My toddler is like that at football too, tbh I don't care what the other parents think but that's beside the point. At different points I've taken everything imaginable to entertain him.

One week I took a soft football (it feels like a teddy but rubber/maybe plastic like outside- sorry I don't know how to describe it). It made my toddlers day!

Turns out he wanted to play football like his brother 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ so I take it every week now, get there ten minutes early and let him run about with the older kids who are early (bless them they all kick the ball to my toddler/cheer him on etc). Then when it starts I'll play on the side lines for a couple of minutes and usually some other toddler comes to play with the ball. Usually with another toddler they chase each other or jump about forgetting the ball. Then if he's still lively Netflix works!

I hope your son is similar, it's stressful keeping a toddler entertained! I wouldn't be judging if I saw you, more relieved it wasn't me chasing a toddler about!

Shookethtothecore · 09/05/2023 20:26

Balls, bikes, anything active in the sidelines worked for us. It’s stressful tho and I have been where you were many a time
oh- and invest in a good puddle suit and wellies for them. 🙈

ChickpeaPie · 09/05/2023 20:34

I would ask one of the child’s friends parents if they would mind watching him, so you can leave with the toddler

Stressedoutisanunderstatement · 09/05/2023 20:56

Thanks guys, I put my toddler down for bed n just had a game of crazy chase with my other 3 kids, it was lovely.

I really appreciate all the advice and solidarity, I really like the idea of taking a ball for him to play with and maybe some colouring, I think he'd like those.
As for time, it's at 5-6, so had to make tea early, think that might've contributed to the stress of it all being out of routine.
Thank you for all your replies, it helps to know I'm not alone in having to go through this and that other parents may not be thinking I'm an awful mum ♥️

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread