Tips for solo parenting weekend at 35wks pregnant?

[Blossomtreetop]

I think I am a whimp 😅 DH is working all weekend this weekend and I am 35wks pregnant with a 2 YO. I honestly can’t do any soft play or much chasing around in the park… so I am thinking of staying home for most of it and potentially have a go at potty training with weather looking good (UK). I just feel guilty though, as I am usually always out and about with him but I am so heavy and lower back just gives in after some minutes standing. Tips on how to keep him entertained? Yes, I am definitely letting him watch TV 😂 but looking to vary a bit xx

*Edit: no family around to help

I would not potty train if you don’t have the energy for it. It can be pretty intense and it’s not some thing to do half heartedly.

Get a bubble machine. My two year old loves it and it gives me a whole 20 mins to have a hot drink.
Deffo lots of garden time if he cant escape

Oh gosh don't try potty training, it's constant up and down, sitting on the floor, cleaning up accidents. You need the mental fortitude for it!

If its nice weather, I quite enjoy taking my kids to just a field, with a ball and a rocket launcher. Minimal input needed. Or a playground where the equipment is easy to use/access so no help required! Take a picnic so you don't even have to cook lunch.

I had DC2 when DC1 was only 16mo so I feel your pain.

OK so no potty training this weekend then! 🤣

Is it warm enough for a paddling pool in the garden?

Same! DH is away with his eldest. I’m nearly 36wks and feel like I have a bowling ball chilling in my pelvis 😅 My 17 month old has just discovered that he can run, so combine that with his current stealing phase…send help!!

I’ve asked my mum to come up on one of the days to help, as I’m so heavy and sore atm. She’s able to be hands on, so will get a little respite. During the week I bought a water activity table, which he’s spent a lot of time getting stuck into. I just sat in the garden and supervised. That will be back out again today & tomorrow! I’m just taking the approach of “is it dangerous or inconvenient” at the moment, so if it’s the latter, I’ll let him crack on. He emptied and restacked the cupboard for a solid hour this morning 😂

We’re going to do lots of reading and playing with toys. When I get totally desperate, Ms Rachel
is going on!

2 is really young for potty training
Park, picnic, if you can take a friend even better. Painting outside, paddling pool.

Could you go swimming? The water will take the weight off you and the toddler can splash about in the shallow end. Swimming always tired my little on out at that age so you’ll probably get a good nap after and can just potter in the garden in the afternoon.

I had this last weekend at 36 weeks with a 2 year old.

Saturday morning we went to a play cafe all morning fed her there. Came home for nap. Then went out again to the park and Pizza Express for dinner (£8 for a 3 course meal for her!).

On Sunday, she had football first thing and then we enjoyed the sunshine in the garden at home all day. She loves a water tray toy we got her.

I’d make as many plans as possible to get out of the house, any activity that tires them out so you get a good nap and anything that involves less work for you e.g. eating out

And to add, you are certainly not a wimp! 3rd trimester + toddler is no joke!!

Highly doubtful you will have a reliably dry toddler in 5 weeks. Adjusting to 2 dc and all that comes with a new dc (for you both) will be more than enough without dealing with wet pants... And rogue poo....

It is absolutely not the time to potty train. With a boy especially, it takes weeks to a month or more. Absolutely not something you want to be doing with a new baby or that you want to thrust on to whoever will be looking after him when you go into labour. Leave it til baby is 3 months and you have time and energy again.

Tv time, play in the garden, short walks out, go to a cafe, do some baking, play doh, water play outside. Plan to meet a friend and draft them in to do the chasing around so you can sit.

Painting, play dough, make fairy cakes or biscuits, sit in the garden - sand pit, paddling pool? Chalking on the patio. Let him watch some tv. Do you have jigsaws? DD loved doing them at that age. Give him a large box to play in.

a toy sink with a working tap was my 2 year olds most loved toy. I’d get at least 30 minutes out of it! The running water sound might help potty training too 😂 35 weeks pregnant and a toddler to parent is no joke hope all goes well!

Thank you all so much. Really good recommendations!!! I am all equipped with sand pit, mud kitchen and the whole lot so the focus will be on the garden! Will attempt library/park in the morning too just before I get too sore, which is by lunchtime these days! No potty training for now then! Agreed he is young but silly FTM me thought I’d give it a go this weekend 😅

Indoor picnic, lego building session, do some baking maybe?? Good luck x