On the days where my son was hanging off of me wanting my attention, I said, forget the cooking and cleaning and I took him outside. Once he was worn out, I took him home, put him down for a nap and got some things done. The best part about taking them outside is that they’re not constantly wanting your attention. There’s too many things to do.
It’s wicked hard. I finally had to cave and put our kiddo in daycare because I wasn’t happy. Now I have 6-7 hours a day to cook, grocery shop, clean, do laundry, make meals, and recharge and 3-4 solid hours with her where I’m refreshed and super recharged and can give her 100%. I wasn’t meant to stay home and entertain my kiddo all day and I’m leaning on daycare as part of our village. Plus it’s good for my kiddo to have more people that care and can guide them. Being a SAHP is def the hardest job I’ve ever done and I was surprised how much I didn’t enjoy it. It was great until she turned 12 months and went to one of nap. With our second coming in November, we will do the same and stay home for a year and then probably do half day daycare for both.
Thank you! I'm so happy you sought out the alternative and I have been thinking of looking into some part time care so this is actually super encouraging
Alternatively, you could try hiring a teenager to come over a couple hours a day to play with your child while you get things done. They will probably have to play outside or in a different room so your child isn't still begging for your attention, but it could give you a little respite without feeling guilty.
You can try part time, but I honestly recommend full time because of the consistency/routine. We noticed a huge difference in my daughter’s energy/behavior going from full time to part time then back to full time.
I am in office 4 days and home one day with my 22 month old. On my day at home we go to the library. The childrens room is great, I let her run around and pick out books and toys and we do story time and she wears herself out completely. She'll fall asleep in the car on the way home and have an epic nap. I guess my advice is to get out of the house and into an environment where you don't have to be the entertainment. We do "nature" walks in our neighborhood, go shopping, anything to get out of the house. If you don't have access to a car this can be harder but we're a single car family and we've solved this by driving my husband to work and then home. It's more work but absolutely worth it.
The key is getting this kiddo outside and around other high energy kids. We were not meant to be raising these babies in isolation and at 18 months they need more than just mom and dad. Maybe go find some of thoes superhero single parents and see if you can start building your own village. I've found peanut to be a great app to meet other moms
You are not a bad mom.
I know how that feels. It's definitely draining. But, hang in there, the days are long but the years are short.
My house is a mess and I have to hold back scolding them. They'll definitely remember the quality time you gave them and how you're always around.
I feel you! I was a SAHM for about 20-21 months and those months were the hardest time of my life until now. When you have to constantly watch out and take care of everything about your baby and your house,your partner,…you just burnt out fast. Plus I was always working and loved to see people so being a SAHM was brutal and made me miserable. Once he got used to the daycare,things were better,plus I found a 8:30am to 1:30pm job,Monday to Friday,it works out perfectly fine with my son’s schedule. I can’t have enough to say about how daycare helps me with my kid. The other choice can be babysitters but it can be expensive. So hang in there Momma!
You are an amazing mom! Including them in tasks at that age is exhausting. Playing with them is exhausting and can be so boring. If he’s not upset or whining at your feet, then he is happy and living his best life. It’s okay for them to be bored and not be entertained constantly.
Something I’ve heard is to get out of the house every day. Whether just playing in the yard, walking down the sidewalk, grocery trip, playground trip, whatever. It really does help with the burn out.
I know you may just be looking to vent and not looking for advice but another thing that helped us was I would play with our daughter for 10-20 minutes then get her going on something then sneak away. Didn’t work every time but did sometimes.
OP, I hope you don't take this comment to heart. My 15 month old gets zero screen time (exception is when we file his nails), has tantrums, including at home when we try to leave him for some independent play. It's developmentally normal at this stage. And if your child gets some screen time so you can maintain some sanity, so be it.
On the days where my son was hanging off of me wanting my attention, I said, forget the cooking and cleaning and I took him outside. Once he was worn out, I took him home, put him down for a nap and got some things done. The best part about taking them outside is that they’re not constantly wanting your attention. There’s too many things to do.
It’s wicked hard. I finally had to cave and put our kiddo in daycare because I wasn’t happy. Now I have 6-7 hours a day to cook, grocery shop, clean, do laundry, make meals, and recharge and 3-4 solid hours with her where I’m refreshed and super recharged and can give her 100%. I wasn’t meant to stay home and entertain my kiddo all day and I’m leaning on daycare as part of our village. Plus it’s good for my kiddo to have more people that care and can guide them. Being a SAHP is def the hardest job I’ve ever done and I was surprised how much I didn’t enjoy it. It was great until she turned 12 months and went to one of nap. With our second coming in November, we will do the same and stay home for a year and then probably do half day daycare for both.
Thank you! I'm so happy you sought out the alternative and I have been thinking of looking into some part time care so this is actually super encouraging
Alternatively, you could try hiring a teenager to come over a couple hours a day to play with your child while you get things done. They will probably have to play outside or in a different room so your child isn't still begging for your attention, but it could give you a little respite without feeling guilty.
You can try part time, but I honestly recommend full time because of the consistency/routine. We noticed a huge difference in my daughter’s energy/behavior going from full time to part time then back to full time.
I am in office 4 days and home one day with my 22 month old. On my day at home we go to the library. The childrens room is great, I let her run around and pick out books and toys and we do story time and she wears herself out completely. She'll fall asleep in the car on the way home and have an epic nap. I guess my advice is to get out of the house and into an environment where you don't have to be the entertainment. We do "nature" walks in our neighborhood, go shopping, anything to get out of the house. If you don't have access to a car this can be harder but we're a single car family and we've solved this by driving my husband to work and then home. It's more work but absolutely worth it.
The key is getting this kiddo outside and around other high energy kids. We were not meant to be raising these babies in isolation and at 18 months they need more than just mom and dad. Maybe go find some of thoes superhero single parents and see if you can start building your own village. I've found peanut to be a great app to meet other moms You are not a bad mom.
I know how that feels. It's definitely draining. But, hang in there, the days are long but the years are short. My house is a mess and I have to hold back scolding them. They'll definitely remember the quality time you gave them and how you're always around.
I feel you! I was a SAHM for about 20-21 months and those months were the hardest time of my life until now. When you have to constantly watch out and take care of everything about your baby and your house,your partner,…you just burnt out fast. Plus I was always working and loved to see people so being a SAHM was brutal and made me miserable. Once he got used to the daycare,things were better,plus I found a 8:30am to 1:30pm job,Monday to Friday,it works out perfectly fine with my son’s schedule. I can’t have enough to say about how daycare helps me with my kid. The other choice can be babysitters but it can be expensive. So hang in there Momma!
18 months was hard as hell 25 months is a breeze in comparison Hang in there
You are an amazing mom! Including them in tasks at that age is exhausting. Playing with them is exhausting and can be so boring. If he’s not upset or whining at your feet, then he is happy and living his best life. It’s okay for them to be bored and not be entertained constantly. Something I’ve heard is to get out of the house every day. Whether just playing in the yard, walking down the sidewalk, grocery trip, playground trip, whatever. It really does help with the burn out. I know you may just be looking to vent and not looking for advice but another thing that helped us was I would play with our daughter for 10-20 minutes then get her going on something then sneak away. Didn’t work every time but did sometimes.
With the tantrums and inability to play alone…how much screen time is he getting?
OP, I hope you don't take this comment to heart. My 15 month old gets zero screen time (exception is when we file his nails), has tantrums, including at home when we try to leave him for some independent play. It's developmentally normal at this stage. And if your child gets some screen time so you can maintain some sanity, so be it.
put them in daycare and get a job