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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

End of pregnancy with toddler-help!

15 replies

Imogensmith · 08/12/2021 08:22

I'm due with dc2 next month and have a (very) lively 2.5 year old ds. DH works long days or 12 hour nights as a doctor so plenty of solo parenting. I'm still at work (from home thankfully) until the end of next week and DC is at nursery the three days that I work. I'm really struggling on days off with him now and feel terribly guilty. I have PGP and struggle to keep up with him. He's also recently dropped his nap and has moved to a bed rather than a cot and is up a few times overnight with the change.
Can anyone give me any ideas of ways to keep him entertained and happy on our days together that don't involve me having to face soft play etc. We go to swimming lessons, gymnastics and a music class once a week but these all stop next week for the Christmas break and nursery is closed for two weeks and I'm absolutely dreading 50+ hours a week alone with him (he's absolutely wonderful and I love him to bits but he is a LOT to handle solo). I'm on the verge of sending out a help message to friends and family with all of the dates I'd appreciate company or support 🤪 x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ratussbaguss · 08/12/2021 08:46

You need screens and not to feel guilty about it ✌🏼 will do him no harm, plenty of educational progs on CBeebies. Just got to get through as best you can and take the pressure off yourself good luck

ratussbaguss · 08/12/2021 08:47

Ps yes do ask f&f for help

DuneFan · 08/12/2021 08:50

Send that help message! Do it! Nobody Will mind.

Plus screens, snacks, trips out in the car, Playdo, painting. . .

AllTheCakes · 08/12/2021 08:52

It might be messy but things like Play Doh, Kinetic Sand and water play really keep mine entertained. Giving bowls with pasta, water, spoons, bowls etc to measure with.

Perhaps a new toy kept away until you really need it?

Elieza · 08/12/2021 08:53

Play park to knacker him out? Walk round the park to feed the ducks (not bread) ?

Take a thermos of hot choc for you both if it’s as cold where you are as it is here!

Blackmagicqueen · 08/12/2021 08:54

Op i was a sahm with a similar aged child also with PGP so sympathise. I had dc1 mon-fri solo while dh was at work and had no help. It was one of the toughest times of my whole life and i would literally cry towards the end! Can you keep nursery going after you start maternity leave so at least then it will be just 2 days? You could prob then get away with screen time and indoor activities or simply running around the garden on those days?!

Blackmagicqueen · 08/12/2021 08:56

I wont suggest park etc like some pp's as having had pgp it was so painful and i couldn't have kept up with mt child in a public place like that!

Em39ma · 08/12/2021 08:56

I’m due next week and I have a 2 year old too. I have to say we are having a film each afternoon, because like I have pgp, polyhydramnios and boarder line preeclampsia. I need the break. My mum fortunately live in the house opposite us and takes dd for a walk and stays with me in the mornings setting up playdoh, drawing etc.
please ask you friends and family for help, it’s a lot to do on your own.

mumofmunchkin · 08/12/2021 10:11

Send that message! It takes a village to raise a child and this is exactly why - doing it all alone is bloody hard. If there is support there then ask for it and take it. If people are willing to, get them to take the 2y old out for a walk or to the park so that they get exercise and you can get your feet up!

Screen time, play doh, get some balloons and a balloon pump and lie on the sofa blowing them up and letting them shoot around the room for the 2y old to chase, duplo, Reading stories, more screen time, jigsaws, more screen time, a park with a bench next to a play area so you can sit down while they run, a pile of quilts and cushions next to a bed for the 2y old to launch themselves off the bed and into (my kids call this game 'water park' lol!).

Don't worry about the screen time, it's only for a few weeks!

fastandthecurious · 08/12/2021 10:46

I'm in a similar situation except I'm not due till feb but I'm very massive and have horrendous PGP. My 3 year old has been enjoying lots of extra screen time and games where I can play sitting down like racing his cars etc. I've also reached out for lots of help which I'm very lucky to have. My parents take him twice a week once for a sleepover and he's in nursery twice a week. I just rest when he's not here if I can. Lately I've been wrapping presents 🙄

confuseddotcom1234 · 08/12/2021 11:09

Do you have other mum friends with similar age children? I found it helpful to see them as they often wouldn't mind helping with the running around for your child and yours is also entertained with a playmate. I did this a lot though during lockdown so all park trips (November dc2 so somewhat chilly). But you can have ppl to you if it's easier. Just having a bit of adult conversation on those days and things to fill time can be useful.

welshladywhois40 · 08/12/2021 13:19

I feel your pain - i spent the last two weeks of my last pregnancy isolating with a covid 2 1/2 year old who wasn't I'll in January. And he moved to his toddler bed just before

For the bed - we have a safety rail the whole of the side of his bed. Once this was put up he got out last. It's now like a cot with a low rail he can climb in and out. But he does stay out. We had an awful 6 weeks of walking him back but it did get better.

Couple of low effort games - water play at the sink (you sit) and let him make as much mess as he wants.

Balloons - I used to blow it up and when the air comes out sounds like a fart or get him to chase balloon around the room

Dens - my current fav. Big throw on the sofa both get under. Also makes a tunnel

Is your son train mad? Most days in lockdown we drove to the local station, sat in the car and watched trains.

Original poster

Imogensmith · 08/12/2021 19:27

Thank you all so so much for these suggestions. I expected to get a lot of "if you think this is bad wait until you have a newborn and a 2 year old" etc. I feel totally validated and not alone.
I sent the help message today to family and friends and there are now only two days left this year where I'm solo so that has massively reduced my worries. Everyone has been so kind and understanding. I especially love the train station idea I had never thought of doing that!
Thank you all, congratulations to all who have survived this and solidarity to all of those going through it too x

OP posts:

Original poster

Imogensmith · 08/12/2021 19:28

I'll worry about January when it arrives. Nursery is actually closed for 19 days in total 22nd Dec to 10th Jan. Hopefully baby will arrive beginning of Jan/end of Dec so that my husband can take his paternity leave!!

OP posts:

DuneFan · 09/12/2021 12:37

I have a newborn and a 3yo, it's much easier than the last stages of pregnancy because the 3yo understands what's happened and all and sundry want to come and visit the baby so we have plenty of company.

As well as the train station we get a lot of enjoyment parking in a busy lay-by on a local A road which different sorts of trucks, tractors, buses etc drive along.

Love the balloon suggestion, we blow and pop bubbles a lot.

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