Anyone else struggling being pregnant with a toddler?

[Treesandbees]

I'm 26 weeks and have a 21 mo DS. I work 3 days a week (long days) and I'm finding that it's getting hard! Both physically and mentally! My DS is going through a demanding stage where he won't play on his own/wants to be carried places/tantrums/broken sleep etc. I think some of its down to teething as well as his age. It's bloody hard going and I'm so tired/grumpy the whole time and can't get anything done (washing/cleaning). I feel like I'm letting him down as our days together are not fun and I feel like we're both frustrated with each other! God knows how I'm going to get through the next 14 weeks!! Anyone else?

I felt exactly the same, for me pregnant+toddler was much much harder than newborn+toddler, and now older baby+toddler seems really easy! It's very hard, but it does get easier, we watched lots and lots and lotsof tv!

yup I feel exactly the same. 22 weeks here with a just turned two year old. I just feel guilty all the time that she's not enjoying being with mummy and our days together do not feel fun at all. kinda scared of maternity leave that I'm just gonna be one big grumpy mummy. hoping it will be easier when I don't have to juggle work and home

I'm 39 weeks with an almost 20 month old who's currently going through the same demanding stage as you treesandbees it's been a hard long slug to make it this far. I'm now anxiously anticipating going into labour so this phase is over! I have heard newborn+toddler is easier! It's gonna be worth it all in the end.......

So glad I'm not alone!! I've been bricking it about having a toddler and newborn so to hear it's 'easier' makes me feel soooo much better!!

When does this 'difficult' toddler stage end?! Tiring....!

Good luck second time!

I was absolutely awful towards the end of my pregnancy with my 22 month old. I felt like a terrible mother because I didn't have the energy to do much with her other than read books, watch too much TV and allow her to bring me toys on the couch so we could play there. I was really worried about my energy levels when I had DD2 but it's been like night and day. Sure I'm tired but it's a different kind of tired. I'm sleep deprived tired as opposed to every single part of my body is exhausted and practically aching tired.

I'm 29 weeks with a 33-month-old. I'm working full time, planning to leave June 5 (will have a C section by July 16). I've had a cold this week, still coughing. Please don't ask me what we're having for dinner tonight, what we'll be doing this weekend, or when I was last able to do laundry.

Yup, hoping on this train! 19 weeks with a 17 month old and feeling the pain!

Having horrible nursing aversion and feel really run down and feel like I spend the whole day excitedly waiting for nap time so I can have peace. DS is gorgeous but is also testing limits, in to everything and flat out ignores no! He's always full of beans and wakes up at 5:30 every morning. We are all about TV and mummy "watching him play".

Dreading getting bigger, slower and generally more pregnant as I know second trimester is supposed to be the 'easy' part- sob!

This thread gives me hope as I'm terrified of juggling two!

Hope everyone feels better soon and thanks for the positive stories everyone else!

Yes, although I've got a baby not a toddler so less running around but lots of attention needed, lack of sleep and teething. In the second trimester and waiting for the mythical energy to kick in!

I've a 26mth old and a 7 month old and the morning sickness is horrific. I'm just trying to get from one day to the next. Nothing is as bad as morning sickness so I am looking forward to the discomfort and tiredness of later in the pregnancy.

Yes! Am 29 weeks and my 2.5yo DS is going through a hideous phase of tantrums and running off in public - and I cannot chase him any more!

Dusted off the old baby reins yesterday cos I have just had enough. Now just end up dragging him around the shops screaming and writhing around on the floor.

I have awful sciatic nerve back pain, commute into London 4 days per week and am in the middle of a messy house renovation. Arrrrrgh.

I was all nice about it, and gave my work more than the 2 weeks notice that is customary. They throw a bunch of work at me to get done before I go.

And now DH is asking me what I want for Mothers' Day. I think this means if anything is going to happen, I'll have to plan it. He wants me to take DD to the zoo Saturday, even though he knows that walking a significant distance is getting harder and harder (and is harder now, because of my cough).

Argh. My project for this week is to get through the week without slugging anybody.

Full time working has its benefits at this stage - I have a stressful job, but it's still like a holiday compared to my 22-month old. And I'm 30 weeks.
So when people ask me how long I'm planning to work, the answer is: So, the baby is due on 10 weeks, so that means I'll be here for about..10 weeks.

Hazel I know what you mean! Work is definitely a 'rest' !! We're going to try and keep DS in nursery for 3 days a week until we're settled with the baby so mat leave shouldn't be too bad...(she says naively)!

Totally agree and relieved to hear it's going to get easier not harder. I am 31 weeks with a 18 month old who has recently discovered how to run off and have really good tantrums. I am working 4 days a week with a 90 min commute which is a killer. Luckily work has let me work 1 day from home in general as I have been so sick and DH has been pretty supportive. He has just told me how hard he is finding it this time around.
Part of me can't wait for ml and part of me is dreading looking after dd while feeling like this.

Hello fellow mums,
can i join for a rant? Im 37 weeks pregnant and I have a 21 month old. This is my first week on mat leave.

let me paint the picture.....Today I thought I would pop along to H&M as I have outgrown all my t-shirts. To help with my sons speech we listen to nursery rhymes in the car. As we pull up in the car park, my son refuses to get out the car as he is enjoying the music. (this never happens as its a struggle to get him in the car) I lift him out and he starts to thrash about like a fish out of water......head butting me in the process. He then throws himself on the floor of the car park having the mother of all tantrums for 10 mins. I get so worked up (i don't normally) so put him back in the car where he stopped "freaking out" almost automatically. I calm down (after a few tears) and then try again.......He the head butts the car door and continues his thrashing on the car park floor, by this time its getting busy and people are watching. I decide to put him back in the car so we could both calm down, I then bribe him with some mini animals (please dont judge) and my iphone with more nursery rhymes.

I just about manage to make it to the t-shirt department then he starts freaking out again............!!

sorry for the long rant I just need to vent to fellow people that understand. I hope I have made a few of you smile with my god awful day. xxxx

Rach I feel your pain! The tantrums seem to come out of the blue sometimes!! I had one today because I broke his babebel in half before giving it to him. OMG it was like the world had ended!! Bribery has become a regular 'survival' tactic of mine so don't feel bad!!

Ahhhh hello. Yes to this!! I am 31 weeks with a 17 month old dd. she hit the 'terrible twos' at 13 months.
also working 4 days a week (right to the end) and I generally just collapse at the end of the day.
People keep saying to me 'not long to go!'

2 months. 2 months to go. Arseholes.

It IS going to be better with a toddler and a newborn..... Right???

I agree Ibelieve, 2 months seems like a very long time right now!

Thanks Trees. Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well. x

ooh popping in for a rant!

I am 29 weeks, have SPD, am on crutches, have an unstable spine, a six year old, a 16 month old and a house to run. I am ashamed to say I have piles of clean washing dumped in the cot as I just can't be arsed sorting it. I struggle to do bath time (luckily 6 yo can stick himself in a shower) and making meals is horrendous. I'm also anemic again so I am knackered but thanks to the pain I am in and the constant loo trips I don't sleep at night!

How is everyone? I went on a hen do at the weekend which involved a flight and lots of trapsing around with a group of drunk girls! Surprisingly fun but vvvvv tiring!! Anyhow, got home last night to a pig sty/mounds of washing and no food....! To top it off the dog woke me up at 4am then the toddler at 6am (having slept beautifully all weekend for his Daddy). Pretty grumpy/angry today!!

Toddler must be sensing there's something happening, being particularly challenging. He's usually such a lovely, happy kid, but this can change in a second when things are not going his way - especially if we want to walk in any other direction than approved by him.

Your DP was waiting for his pregnant partner to get home to clean and do laundry?

Hazle I definitely agree with that. Mine is the same. He is more sensitive to things and just switches into nightmare mode at the drop of a hat.

To top it off my MIL (who I dislike anyway) was here all weekend to 'help' my OH and between them they did nothing to help me. P*ssed off is an understatement!!

my god the lazy so and so's
I have cried all night the past couple of nights as the pain is unbearable and paracetamol doesn't touch it. my DD is being her regular nutty self and my house is clean and tidy but not as clean and tidy as I would like. their daddy doesn't have the same cleanliness standards as myself and with my mum out of the country until the end of the month, he's the only one who can help me. DS tries his best though. bless. he stands on the step and washes the pots, he tidies the toys up and does the dusting for me. I love that child so much