Entertaining a toddler when you have SPD?

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

DH works 12 hour shifts, so there are often days (like today) where I am home with 2yo DD alone for the whole day.
I'm 13 weeks pregnant and have SPD. This is already making mobility difficult, and I'm waiting for a referral to physio.
Being only 2, DD needs a lot of entertaining, which normally means sitting on the floor and playing with her. She also likes to be carried a lot (always has been very clingy). I'm working on getting her to be carried less, which is going well. However, I don't know how to play with her without getting stuck on the floor! DH had to practically lift me up off the floor yesterday. I feel like the worlds worst mother since I've been pregnant.

I didn't gave spd but was pretty tired and inflexible when I got bigger. I definitely felt guilty for my toddler so i empathise. I had to reframe some of out existing games. So a lot of stuff got moved up to table height (duplo, dry pasta in bowls, colouring). I sat on the sofa and had her bring me stuff like 'cups of tea' or 'good' from her kitchen. And I encouraged her to play independently a bit more. It's hard.

I also had my DD 'wait on' me in early pregnancy when I found it hard to move off the couch

Luckily she loves playing doctors so would bring her doctors bag to me to perform a 'home visit' and yes, lots of tea and treats from her little tikes kitchen

Sat on the sofa or your comfiest chair with your feet on a footstool you could read books together, do sticker books, watch her favourite to programmes ()

It's 9 months of just 'getting through' as best we can x

All that keeps her entertained for a couple of hours. But I have literally all day to keep her busy!

Dd1 was slightly younger when I was pregnant with spd. I used to force myself to go out in the morning drive and park as close as possible, no buggy, no carrying! To toddler groups/friends houses so she was entertained. Then the afternoons I would nap when she did and we played (watched tv) on my bed so I could lie comfortably! Until I had to make dinner.

I had twinges from 7.5 weeks but I saw a cranial osteopath and she helps my spd so much compared to pregnancy 1 when I was signed off from 26 weeks, could t walk and barely left the house for 3 months!

Have you got a side table you could put some toys on and play with her there?

The carrying thing; I would tell her today that you can't do that because it hurts mummy's back. I had a similar conversation about my leg with DD 2 as she wanted to keep climbing on me and she was ok about it.

Does she attend nursery at all?

Soft play while you have a sit down?

Friends round for a play date?

Sounds difficult.

She goes to nursery 2 days a week when I'm at work.
We've only been to soft play once, and she would only go off and play if I went in there with her! May be worth another try as she's definitely grown in confidence since. We do one toddler group a week, that gives me a few hours respite.
Parking where I live is a nightmare, so going out is difficult when I'm struggling to walk far.

Hi Squedgie, poor you, that sounds tough. I'm pretty much on bedrest at the moment too as I have a cervical stitch and I also have a busy 2 year old at home. It's been super hard and we've had to call in lots of favours from friends, family and childcare but these activities have been good for passing the time whilst you lie down. I have a little table or stool next to me on the settee to put DS's toys etc on.

• colouring/water colouring books/stickers
• stories/story CD's/ Ladybird stories on YouTube/magazines with activities like Something Special
• dolls house/small world/finger puppets/pretend play (teaset/dr/builders)
• collage and sticking
• play dough
• puzzles
• Duplo
• lying down on cushion on floor or air bed to play trains/cars etc
• play dates at home with friends

Friends/family/DP have been taking DS out as much as possible to park/library/swimming to tire him out. Get friends to come and play too if you can as this cheers everyone up!

But seriously be kind to yourself and just do whatever you have to do to get through it. It's really hard I know but it's only a short time in the grand scheme of life and you'll have lots of lovely active time together in the future! That's what I'm telling myself to keep my sanity!

Take care

I wouldn't sit on the floor with her

Do activities like drawing, watercolours, puzzles, or anything at the table

Reading in bed or on sofa.

Get some reins so you can go for a walk locally but she can't run off

Get your Dh to take her out each morning 30 mins before work if possible so she gets a run around first and uses some energy.

Can you take her swimming?

I'm going to try taking her swimming next week.
I do as much as I can sitting on the sofa with her, but she gets bored and would rather be down on the floor playing trains or cars. She used to spend hours drawing or playing with play doh but she's decided that's not fun any more.

Can you get Dh to set up the train set on the dining table for her before work?

Poor you, I'm in the same boat and it's rubbish. I also feel like a useless mother most days. My last pregnancy I ended up in a wheelchair so I've not really any idea how we are going to get through until spring. I'm afraid I don't have any great suggestions, we've done lots of colouring, crafting etc but I'm struggling and CBeebies has been a godsend some days. I'm going to try some of Blossom's great ideas.