How much can you get done when you're looking after a 14MO full time?

[spicemonster]

I am about to become a SAHM after working 4 days. Now I've got so much more time at home, I thought I could get more done around the house. (I can hear those hollow laughs in the back row) But instead the place is a worse tip than it is when I'm at work and he's at nursery and, apart from the odd ten minute burst, I do nothing other than play with him or at least sit by him. He whinges every time I walk out of the room or am not sitting on the floor with him. I can't read a book or watch tv because he gets cross. He doesn't even seem to take long naps any more so I don't get a break then really - 45 mins is his max at the moment.

Is this what all babies are like? How do you cope when you have other kids? Do the little ones eventually learn to amuse themselves?

Help me please before I run away!

He sounds very like my first two at that age - I didn't get anything much done when looking after them at that age. My 3rd was easier. She just pootled along after me.

My dd2 is still like your ds and she's 6, she still can't amuse herself. But thank goodness she's at school not at home all day.

My DD is the same age, and sounds very similar. She was actually less clingy a few months ago when learning to cruise, but now she can walk she prefers to chase after me, and hang off my leg, wailing.

She is in nursery 2 days/wk, and it is only on these days that the house does not resemble something from Kin and Aggie's nightmares.

I have tried in vain to get DD interested in ITNG and other CBeebies far , but she's not bothered.

but as she was less clingy before, I am praying that this is Just A Phase.....

It has been so brilliant to read this thread! Feel suddenly better knowing it's not just me coping with a 14month old at home and feeling like i'm going slowly round the bend!
My laptop has half the keys missing on the bottom line where she has managed to yank them off while I've had her on my lap!

It does get easier! I'm wondering if your DS is perhaps adjusting to you being home with him full-time again? Maybe he'll become a bit less clingy as he realises that you're not going away.

My best advice from when my eldest was that age is to get out of the house as much as you can, meeting up with other mums and toddlers in the park, play groups etc. That provides a lot of stimulation for you both, and mine always needed a lot more sleep when they were kept busy

Also, even though this was roughly the time when I wondered how anyone ever manages with 2 or more children, LOL, it may be some comfort (if you plan on having another) to know that it's a lot easier the second time. Second babies tend to be a lot less demanding and more independent, and also at that stage they entertain each other.