how to entertain a toddler whilst ill and exhausted

[BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte]

I'm 39 weeks pregnant, and having various medical problems which mean that, whilst trying not to be overdramatic, I'm finding it difficult to walk or to even stand up safely. I also have a toddler DD who, when not asleep, finds it impossible to sit still for anything. DH and family and friends have been wonderful, but this morning I'm on my own with her until 1.30. Obviously, I'm not going to allow her safety to be compromised and if I did become unable to cope I'd call a neighbour, but I would prefer to reserve asking favours until I go into labour. Equally, I know that DH would come home if I needed him, but I'd like him to have a bit of rare me-time out with his friends.

Does anyone have any ideas how I could entertain DD from such a recumbent position? (She won't watch tv or sit to read a book...) She's asleep now, but due to wake any second.

Do you have any empty cardboard boxes? An empty box keeps my son (21mo) entertained for ages. When he's done climbing in it I put his crayons in there and he sits inside it and colours it in.

Will she sit to colour in? Some crayons and paper and a task like make a picture for the baby or a card for Daddy can pass time.

Some old clothes of yours and DH's, shoes, etc too in a pile on the floor and let her play dress up. Put the mirror at her height so she can see herself.

Get some sheets/blankets and the clothes-horse or some dining room chairs and help her build a den, pop some pillows inside to make it cosy and let her take her toys in there and eat her snack there too.

Give her some empty pots, bowls, Tupperware, wooden spoons and whisks and let her make music.

Could you ring Homestart for some temporary help? They are volunteers who may be able to offer some much needed assistance. Not sure how to add links on here but google them. Good luck

Oooh some great ideas, thanks!

She's still asleep at the moment, which is amazing for her. My lack of movement must be soporific, at least...

Oh yes, a big cardboard box!!! Entertainment for hours!!!

She's still asleep... incredible!

big card board box and marker pens , glue stick and snips of paper to stick ours spend hours. The computer to sharing the cbeebies games.

Probably not much help now but books with cds are good - you can lie on the sofa and go through the book with them while the cd reads the story. The cds usually have a couple of versions of the story on it and sometimes others sound games on the end. I get a whole stack from the library & luckily DS can load the cd player himself. Eventually the idea is that the kids can follow the books themselves listening to the cd

Again, thanks. There are some great ideas here I will definitely have a go with... and I'm sure will prove useful when I'm sitting BFing DC2 if he ever arrives! She loves climbing into things and listening, so the cardboard box and CD stories sound great.

We've had lunch and DH is now home. Morning accomplished!

And don't beat yourself up about not being able to do anything, I was pretty much bedridden in the last 8 weeks of pregnancy and couldn't get up and down the stairs unless really needed and I had 3 kids upstairs with me 1 is 4 and twins who are 2. They coped with all sorts upstairs - not much fun but I knew it wouldn't last.