36 weeks, exhausted and coping with toddler!

[peanutbutterlove]

Anyone got any tips for coping with a toddler when you are in late pregnancy and soooo tired you feel like you could fall asleep on your feet?

In the same boat so lurking for tips too! Has your toddler morphed into a total stroppy loon in recent weeks? Mine has, perfect timing for imminent arrival of newborn...hmmm

I'm 35+5 with twins so much for twins coming early and 20 month old and I have been indulging in:

• lots of play dough
• "treasure hunts" in park / woods (I sit on a bench or in the buggy if desperate while being brought various "treasures" eg stone, stick, leaf
• making jam tarts (ready made pastry)
• shaving foam in the bath (+ glitter), stick him in while I sit next to bath, dead easy to clear away with shower
• lots of stickers
• some games on iPad (we like PlayHaus and Little Fox music box)
• playing on mattress on floor (can bundle him about a bit without moving very much)

Just realised how boring we sound!

parallax I think you're my hero! I have lost all enthusiasm for my poor 2.3yr old although walking in the woods is a regular event these days. I'm 36+1 (with one baby) and finding it a bit of a struggle, mainly cause the terrible twos with DS have kicked in big time. Must get playdoh and stickers stocked up!

38 weeks here and frankly we're just watching a lot of TV!

We are out of the house once or twice a day for groups or to see friends, and ds does 2 afternoons a week at pre school, but really to be completely honest the tv is on most of the time when we are home and we just cuddle up and watch cbeebies. I've spent a few weeks beating myself up over how much tv he's watched recently, but am trying to just forgive myself for that and remember it won't be forever.....

Errr the other thing we do sometimes to liven up woods walking is take a few coloured bean bags and put them down in a clearing and then I make him run between the blue one and red one, or mummy to blue one etc etc I realise this makes me sound like a crazed PE teacher/Scout leader, but he's only just learnt what colours are and I love how pleased with himself he is!

I saw this thread title and thought I'd posted a three by mistake! Am I'm exactly the same position: this morning by 9:30am we have already sung and danced to his favourite nursery rhymes, played with playdough, played with bowls full of water and bubbles and done some drawing. I'm exhausted: he is still full of 20-month-old energy! Thanks for the tips parallax - will try those!

No tips but if it's any help I am finding dealing with a newborn plus 3yo right after a CS to be a walk in the park compared to being pregnant, so things do get better!

That's what I'm counting on boo! I feel like death at the moment, and I feel like I'll cope better with the tiredness from a newborn than the strain of being heavily pg! (Please god)

Booboo I'm taking you at your word! 41 weeks with 2.4yr old and bloody knackered.
With my toilet trips and her waking I'm getting about 4 hours sleep a night and all she wants to do is run all day! I don't even have the energy to get dressed never mind leave the house plus I'm hiding as I'm fucking sick of being asked if I've had it yet

Find a place like a play cafe or soft play or small park or library with play corner where you can just sit and they can play! I found it helped us just to get out the house even if for something simple...

Tory glad it's not just me who's bringing up a TV addict

I'm 35+3 with a 22mo, I have to say though that I've been feeling a lot better these last couple of weeks. Before that I was off sick from work for 2 months as some days I couldn't stand for longer than 10 minutes (I'd get breathless, my limbs would feel heavy and I'd just want to go to sleep). Now though it's the massive bump that's restricting me!

DS loves cars, so mostly just been sitting on the floor playing cars, watching TV or reading books. I couldn't take him anywhere on my own as I couldn't run after him so always had to have DH or my mum with me!

No too long to go ladies!!

I am in a similar position mb34, ds can be a right bolter at times, he's really fast and I literally cannot run after him. I can't carry him either, or at least not for more than a couple of minutes! It makes me very nervous going out on my own with him

Oooh sounds like I've found my home I'm 36 weeks with dc4 I have a 9 year old, a 3 year old and a just turned 1 year old and I'm starting to find it really hard going especially as youngest isn't walking yet and is just on a mission to cause himself serious damage!

Watching with interest for ideas parralax some great ones there you sound like superwoman my energy levels have taken a massive nosedive over the last couple of days.

I definitely second what booboostoo said a newborn an toddler is a million times easier than heavily pregnant and a toddler!

I'm 38 weeks with a nearly-2-year old.

I feel like I can't complain as I've just stopped work but we're keeping nursery and other childcare arrangements going, so I get her in nursery 2 days a week and my boyfriend is not at work 1 day a week.

I am still massively struggling with the 2 days I do have her for though. She hasn't been sleeping, keeps getting colds, is sad and grumpy and stroppy. She wants to be carried everywhere and it is hurting my back and pelvis (not with anyone else though, just with me).

I feel so guilty about what a shit mother I am, I used to take her out to run around every day

Last night she was up from 9pm-1am coughing and then up again at 4am - it's not usually THAT bad, but I am broken even though boyfriend is doing as much of it as he can.

I managed to do a couple of hours of painting and stuff with her this morning before it descended into tv and screaming. I managed to take her round to a friend's this afternoon but even bending over and picking things up is an effort.

I desperately want this baby out but also have no idea how we will cope. Knowing my luck I will go 2 weeks overdue though. I am so so tired. If I went into labour tonight I think I would just fall asleep. Please somebody give me some hope…

Tbh, I'm finding this bit much easier than expected (possibly out of necessity? Not had much luck with TV - if I don't sit with him he wanders off to trash the house, if I do, he wants to "snuggle" with his elbows and feet in parts of my tummy where there are already too many elbows and feet). However, I'm in complete denial about the getting them out part and particularly about the toddler plus 2 x newborns bit. That's not a problem for today, has so far been my mantra. Although I'm not sure how long I can keep that up!

Ah, can I join in? 39+1 with a 2 year old. This afternoon I stupidly uttered the words "if you do that one more time you won't get any tv after dinner" before realising I was basically punishing myself.. By 5.30 the TV is pretty much all I am physically capable of.
Very reassuring to hear people say newborn + toddler is easier though! Have been torn between desperately wanting baby out and being terrified of dealing with two.

Thank god you ladies are all here! Reassuring to know I'm not alone. I've had a horrible afternoon with an angry 2 year old and i too am scared of dealing with him and a newborn. But I'll be seeking solace on mumsnet for that too!!

MsS I sometimes catch myself saying "if you wander off, we'll turn it off - we aren't watching this for my benefit". When clearly we are...

Hahaha parallax yes tv is totally for my benefit too!!
I also feel like a terrible mother, but it's not going to damage him (I keep telling myself).

Oh hurrah i am not alone! 39wks with a 3yr old, i have cracked and she now does preschool every morning but the afternoons are really dragging til daddy gets home, i am literally counting the minutes. We watched ice age twice over yesterday, do feel guilty but cant do much else!

Ah, I've found you! I am 38 weeks with a 5 yr old and a 20 month old and am utterly utterly shattered. Getting about 4 hours sleep a night as well and totally agree that if I went into labour right now I could sleep right through it.....

Parallax - foam and glitter in the bath, you are a genius! Going to keep that one up my sleeve. Jam tarts also excellent plan. I'm only nearly 33 weeks so not too bad just yet but know it will get worse. Have just woken up from a lovely hour long nap - dd still napping so she'll probably take ages to sleep tonight but we are both tired. She goes to a CM every morning and afternoons are mostly either slow walks, beach, or just me sitting on the bed sorting laundry while she plays with her toys. Telly too when necessary of course but we're having good weather here ATM which makes everything easier. Hang in there ladies x

Chuck CBeebies or whatever on and chill out, just for a fee short weeks.
You'll feel a million times better with a newborn in your arms, I'm a few weeks into it and it's great to be able to spend proper time with my toddler again. Good Luck

I feel like the worst mum in the world atm. 36 weeks with a 2.5yo watching waaay too much cbeebies.

Thanks imnotproud, just what I need to hear this morning!!

38+1… not counting down at all.. oh no