Low effort lazy parenting

[Bananasinpyjamas1988]

Am about to have chemo and have a three year old boy. His dad works so won’t be at home lots of the time and don’t get much other help. He hates crafts. Likes being read books. Not great at playing independently. Any idea for low effort activities? Resigned to too much screen time through this period but don’t want it to go completely overboard

If you haven't already, I massively recommend joining Shine Cancer Support's private Facebook group - it's specifically for younger adults (20-49) with cancer so loads of members have young kids and will have found things that work in this exact scenario. I found it a real lifeline. Good luck with your treatment x

The Wiggles could be good. Hours of entertainment at that age. I had them on DVD but no doubt they're online too.

I had chemo with a 6 month old and and 3 year old. Like you, my husband worked long hours. My 3 year old went to nursery 4 days a week. When she was at home with me, the majority of my parenting was the TV and I feel zero guilt. She was looked after, safe and fed and I made it through! I did always go out for a walk a day though as the fresh air helped me and killed some time. Do what you need to do to get through.

Good luck with everything, just take one day at a time

I would talk to your consultant? McMillan perhaps? and see if there’s any help out there for you. There may be a scheme where people who are appropriately vetted will take your child to the park or to nursery for you if you can’t manage due to sickness. There must be something!

I wish you all the best with your treatment.

Lots of these have already been mentioned but:

• yoto for stories and radio (They also have interactive ones like adventure stories or quizzes if he is a bit restless). You can make your own cards as well if he has particular songs he likes, and then he can do his own disco.
• Magnatiles
• Lego. You can get the kits labeled 4+ and they have really easy to follow instructions. My 3 yr old can do them with a tiny bit of help every so often. Put the lego bits on a tray so he can do it on the sofa with you (and they are contained then too)
• Brio. We picked up a whole load on facebook market place for really cheap.
• Role play that involves you lying down. Dr and patient, hotel manager and hotel guest, etc.
• If he doesn't particularly like crafts, what about making it funny like if he were to colour you in (assuming non toxic pens and that it wouldn't interfere with your treatment in some way... not a doctor!!!)
• Learning with screens. Something like the Osmo which is used with an ipad for phonics and games, etc. Screen time, but with a learning outcome. They are expensive but you can get them on Vinted. There is also a free duolingo app for phonics for kids.

But most of all, don't put too much pressure on yourself. It's more important that you take the time you need to get better, and not worry about your son having too much screen time. I'm really sorry you're going through this x

I got our granddaughter a Tonie box. I think you can also borrow the story figures from some libraries. I have the app on my phone and login to my DIL account for the box and record stories for my DGD. I then give them the books that go with the stories. I stock up in Aldi on their 99p stories when they have them.

our other DGC has an Amazon kids echo but I don’t know how that works

wishing you all the best for your treatment 💐

simple things like balloons and hitting them around a room seems to provide kids with endless entertainment, always have a packet of balloons on you

Best of luck with the treatment.x

PS. Baker Ross have all sorts of freebies including colouring sheets on their website which you might find useful

Mine will play with kinetic sand for ages.

I hope your treatment goes well