Coping with pregnancy and a toddler

[Mishy1234]

Is there anything which will get me through pregnancy with a toddler, which doesn't involve CBeebies?

I'm only 16 weeks, but have been constantly ill with flu and colds since the start. I feel awful all the time and my husband is no help whatsoever what with doing an MBA and having a crap PM who has called everyone in to work all weekend (evenings too) 2 weekends before Christmas.

DS is 22 months and driving me nuts. I don't know how much more I can stand, but sitting him in front of the TV really isn't an option. My PIL look after him 1 day a week when I work, so I don't really want to ask them. I'm still taking him to all his usual activities and out in the afternoon as well, but it's just never enough.

When/does it get easier?

it gets easier when you give in to cbeebies...

any chance of playgroup etc?

DD is 23 months and I'm 26 weeks pregnant.

Seriously you need to find something to keep the toddler amused so you can sit and lounge. If you dont want CBeebies then find a film he can watch or a game he can play alone.
Get some felt tips etc

Hahaha...was going to suggest CBeebies on while you have a nap! DD is 2.3 and I am nearly 26 weeks pg...CBeebies (and Nick Jr) have been a Godsend!

I feel for you with the colds/bugs - I have suffered from the same and it seems to make it doubly rough - cold, not being able to take anything stronger than paracetamol (and feeling guilty about that!) and feeling dog tired from the pregnancy.

Sorry not much help...how about painting/drawing/colouring books? Or put a CD on with music your DD likes so she can have a dance while you rest?

Hi im 24 weeks and ive got a three year old. Ive just been going to bed a lot earlier, and do ask for more help. Im sure PILs wont mind a few hours here and there to let you have a break - you dont ask you dont get!!

im 28 weeks and my dd is 18 months, i find that cbeeboes is on an awful lot and do feel guilty about it, but at the weekend when DH is home we have more quality time and he helps out loads so we take her out, or he'll take her out so i can catch up on rest (though end up just cleaning the house and end up even more knackered!).
Call on family/friends to help out, being pregnant is tiring enough without having a toddler to chase around after!

tv was on rather a lot in my house while I was pg too

I got over the guilt quite quickly.

Going to the dreaded soft play was also great as there were other people there to help lift when I couldn't and he couldn't run off.

Sorry, should have said that CBeebies isn't really an option as we only have a TV in our bedroom and it doesn't work very well. When it's been on at friend's houses, DS doesn't seem to want to watch it anyway.

DS just seems to be really high maintenance, just bringing book after book over, which is great but very tiring. He just doesn't seem to be able to do independent play yet.

Colouring etc is a good idea which I haven't tried yet.

Any tips for encouraging independent play?

Thanks for the suggestions and sympathy!

As horid as it sounds. DD has learnt about independant play since I got pregnant cos I am too tired to be up all the time.

However, we read books together cos thats a sit down excersise.
Try putting toys in front of you, sit on the sofa with legs apart and ask him to play - if he asks you something answer him but don't get up to play, unless he gets upset.

I spend a lot of time sitting on the floor on a cushion building duplo towers and the like with DS. He goes to get the stuff he wants to play with and brings it in so it works quite well. He's 2.3 and pretty high octane. Cbeebies never really cuts it, he is too full of beans to sit still.

The 1st trimester (now 33 weeks) was a nightmare - I coped by sleeping for the full duration of his afternoon nap. And by telling myself it wouldn't last forever. And by cutting corners on housework/cooking etc.

No easy answers I'm afraid - 'tis tough.

What about playdough or painting? My DD loves both and is quite happy for you to sit and watch with a cup of tea (and at least you're sitting down.) At 22 months will your DS play snap or picture dominoes?
It'll get easier.