SAHM....how do you do it?!?

Question

I'm a teacher and am only a SAHM for the summers. I have one amazing little 2 1/2 year old boy....and I just feel like I'm not enough for him! I feel like he needs entertainment all the time, and I'm just dying here! We go to the gym and he gets to play with some kids at the daycare there, plus I try to keep him busy with going to the library and doing arts and craft activities....but I just feel sooooo drained and just like I need a break....and I fell terrible about that! Please help!

Answer

It's because your a teacher. Your used to thinking children need constant stimulation. They don't. They do need to learn how to entertain themselves at that age and how to be alone and not constantly having you do things for them. I run a daycare and when your constantly doing things for your kids it makes separation a whole lot harder. I have a 9 month old little boy and his parents take him everywhere with them. I can't leave the living room to grab his bottle or go pee without him screaming bloody murder lol. He's learning that it's not okay to do with me very slowly.

Answer

Lol you kid will just be happy spending time with you. He doesn't need big outings or anything. Kids are pretty happy getting books at the library and going home and reading them and then playing playdoh or something. Kids are easy to please.

Answer

He needs you as a supervisor, not an entertainer. Take a break!

Answer

I feel like this all the time. I decided to stop teaching to stay home and since I've been pregnant (1st trimester, 0 energy) I've felt incredibly guilty about giving my son the attention and experiences he needs. Been crying about it every day. Also I live in a very hot place so outside is not really an option and getting out is a huge energy drain. I hate summer.

Answer

Thanks for the input everyone. I just feel like things will get better when he has a sibling to play with. I know I forgot to mention it....but I'm 13 weeks pregnant, so who knows....maybe it's all just my hormones freaking me out. He is just always asking me to play with him and begging me to stop cleaning and play with his toys or play with him outside. I know it's a personal choice, but I also don't want to just put him in front of the tv all day either. He is a very social child, and even when he is outside he is begging me to play with him instead of me just watching him while he plays. I'm just looking forward to when he starts daycare on Monday  and has friends and activities to do that don't revolve around me....the pressure from this summer has just been a lot on me

Answer

Lol give yourself a break.  He needs your supervision not your entertainment.  Let him learn to play a bit on his own.  I feed them, read to them often, take them swimming, and we work on "school work" with the 3yr old.  But otherwise I let them run free.  
Right now they are singing and dancing around the table.  Soon I will let them run around the yard while I try to get some weeding done. 
 I know he is a boy but you might buy yourself some pony beads and pipe cleaners.  Let him make you a bracelet and necklaces.  It is something he should be able to do completely independent of you.  While he is doing it take a break.

Answer

My 2 year old has the shortest attention span his speech therapist introduced me to these apps on the iPad from duck duck goose and he loves them plus he likes music videos I put Katy perry on YouTube he loves it and playing just dance on the Xbox I play that with him it's my lil bit of exercise

Answer

Carefully lol. Its killing me some days but I wouldnt trade it for anything.

Answer

I'm a sahm to a 14 month old and I love it!  My husband makes great money and he also wants me to stay at home with our son.  And when I say stay at home I mean stay at home. I clean all day and watch my son all day. I don't get break although I wouldn't mind having one I just dont trust other people to watch my son therefore I keep him.

Answer

I'm the SAH step-mother to a 5 year old and 3 year old. Completely new to this SAH thing, too. Wow. I gotta give moms a big applause. I have PBS Kids on one TV, Disney Jr on their bedroom TV. On Tuesdays we go to the library. Wednesdays we go to the pool. Thursdays can either be more pool time or a "Pinterest" project using construction paper and glue. They love those "project" days. I do get them into part-time day care a couple days a week to allow me time to do housework and run errands. Either way.....I can't wait for school to start back!

SAHM....how do you do it?!?

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