Low enthusiasm mother of two home with the kids during break - help

[Anonymous]

Indoor obstacle course for your older child? Have her create a one-person play of her favorite book? She needs big, tiring projects. Wishing you strength and perseverance.

But, yes, do look into ways to manage better down the road. If you can’t leave the house with your preschool-age child, you need some assistance. It’s not normal and you deserve more support.

[Anonymous]

IKEA is a good idea. Pair it with the other play place. Godspeed.

[Anonymous]

My kids are well behaved BUT parenting them would be infinitely harder if I didn’t get out of the house every day. I have a 4 and 2 year old.

You have to go somewhere. Even if it’s just a playground surrounded by woods so there’s not much your 4year old can do. Though as a side note - you need to figure out what’s going on with your kid if she’s running into the street wild.

[Anonymous]

Go to a fenced in park. Keep the sick baby in the stroller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:thank you for the suggestions. all are great, I am particularly interested in this busy bee place particularly because most of my mom friends are out of town or working so I don't have many moms with kids that could join me at a playground. I did take my kids to a playground near our house but there were no other kids there so it was a flop.

Busy Bees is great for a 4yr old - but Arlington might be closed for renovations so check. If it is, Jumping Joey’s, Mobile Kids, Nook, Scramble in Alexandria are all places where your 4yr old could get some wiggles out in a contained space.

[Anonymous]

Mobu kids. Not mobile kids.

Seriously, if you are in Arlington/Falls Church near Busybees the fenced playgrounds are Shirlington Community Center, Quincy Park, Chestnut Hills, Westover.

Rocky Run and Lacey Woods are mostly fenced.

[Anonymous]

I weighed in with places to go . . . But OP is getting unfair flak about the spirited 4yr old.

My older kid was 3.5-4 when my younger one was 12-18mo and those were tough times even though my older kid is pretty good and not usually a runner. The issue I am guessing is that the toddler is a new walker / fast crawler who doesn’t like being contained in a stroller and the mom needs to stay on the toddler 100% to keep them safe - which means that she can’t watch the 4yr old as closely as needed. This rules out things like pools and splash pads where a kid could slip and fall or drown. This also rules out library where a kid can run out the door or open parks where they can get too close to the road.

[Anonymous]

You're in a rut, so get out of it.

Take your kids to the busy outdoor playground where all the kids go. Your 4-year-old needs to run around, and burn off all that energy. She can't do it being inside at home. She'll busy herself with the other kids, which will you a bit of a break even though you're still watching her. It's free entertainment for her. Bring snacks and drinks. Free play is awesome, and the baby will be fine. The change of scenery will be a real pick-me-up for you.

This is what I used to do. --former SAHM

[Anonymous]

I sah and we have to get out of the house every day. Even just errands kills an hour and breaks up the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I would refrain from saying I feel depressed because I doubt I have an actual medical condition, but I have been feeling pretty blah lately. I have been with the kids at home alone for 3 days now, 2 more to go. I am covering childcare while their school/daycare is off. I have a 4 year old and a 12 month old. I can't really go anywhere because my 4 year old is a super spirited child with a mind of her own, can't really control her so its a safety issue. On top of it all, the baby has mild illness running a fever so the whole situation is just not ideal. My 4 year old is very energetic, extremely curious and active ... you get it. I am trying to do my best but am exhausted. Running on little sleep because the baby is sleeping poorly due to the illness - i presume because she is otherwise a good sleeper. To make matters worse, my husband will be working later tomorrow, so he won't be back until 8ish ... probably even later. I feel so blah and just tired ... I am trying to love this moment with my kids but just feel like I want to curl up and sleep. Any advice for me?

Feeling depressed is like feeling anxious. They are both completely normal human emotions that everyone feels sometimes. Different from having a mood or anxiety disorder but valid as feelings.

[Anonymous]

I know if feel this way when I don't sleep well. Hope you are getting some rest.

[Anonymous]

Badlands or Bounce U--good enough for the most spirited child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hire a babysitter. You need to get a handle on the 4year olds behavior and not just ignore it or get to a developmental ped to see if more is going on.

This. Work on parenting your 4yo so she's not "spirited" all 3 and 4yos are high energy and curious about the world around them. Doesnt mean tbeyre allowed to control family life though.

My 3 year old was like this. Worked with a developmental ped and things have improved dramatically.

[Anonymous]

Kids Play Gallery in Gaithersburg is AMAZING for this. Kids are locked into an area, that area is not too huge you can't keep an eye on your 4 year old, it is mega clean, and your youngest will love it, too. Seriously can't recommend it enough.

[Anonymous]

It is tiring. Parks or indoor playgrounds for sure. Hugs.