in August 2023 Babies 🇬🇧

Feeling deflated

So I work full time as a social worker, very demanding job and I’m often left feeling drained after work just trying to survive to my son’s bedtime or I end up having to work past my hours due to emergencies with the children in my case load. I see everyone doing all these messy play, turf trays etc and feel so guilty for not doing all this but I just don’t have the mental capacity after work or the money to constantly fund these extravagant play. I feel like I should be doing way more for my son but I can barely remember what I need in our weekly food shop let alone organising play materials for the week ahead 🫠 My son also doesn’t really seem interested in toys or play well in general and I’m worried it because I don’t sit down often enough and try to do all these big play experiences with him but by the time I get home and we have dinner it’s bed time routine time. Anyone else feel this way? I don’t know if social media is just making me feel this way as most mums are stay at home mums and have the time for all this whereas I just don’t :(

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I'm a stay at home mum and I don't do any of the things your post mentions. Honestly I find stuff like that is more effort than it's worth at this age 😅 my main aim each day is to get outside with my little one. If you don't have long I'd keep things simple.. Blow bubbles, read books, sing and dance together, listen to music, play outside. Is your son in nursery or does someone look after him while you work?

I work part time and I have only done 1 messy play thing since my son was born and he had no interest in it what so ever. So now I leave that to when he is at nursery and I dont need to worry about the clean up haha. My boy isn't hugely interested in his toys at the moment unless they make music he can dance to. He would rather be running around outside and exploring. You do whatever works for you and your LO.

First of all, there is no way that I will do messy play at home, cannot deal with the mess and the cleaning afterwards. What works for me is to have a list of things I want to do that week. Simple activities, like on Monday I want him to play with crayons, Tuesday with flash cards, etc. all these activities don't last more than 10/15 minutes a day as his attention span is tiny. I also work full time and do several evenings.

@Joana thank you so much. My partner hates messy play too. I don’t mind it but absolutely not every day. I want to try do it on a Saturday morning when I’m off. I’m like you we try find small things that give him small bursts but by 12pm we’ve honestly run out of ideas haha! I’m glad it isn’t just me x

@C he goes to my parents as childcare is way to expensive! They say the same about him he just never wants to play with toys and just wants to run and jump 24/7 haha. It’s hard to entertain him all day lol xx

@Shannon my first born was the same 😆 once he starts riding bikes and scooters etc he will be easier to entertain haha. It's a bit of a tricky age at the moment x

I’m a part time primary teacher and I don’t really do these things! I know it can feel overwhelming as of course it’s what we are fed all over social media but children still learn to play just in their natural environment! My mum didn’t do any messy play when I was this young (that I can even remember!) and I went on to have the happiest childhood. You are working hard to provide for your little one and that shows love and care more than anything ❤️

@Polly thank you!! 🥰 I used to be a primary teacher to before changing careers! I think that’s why I feel so guilty as I know I could be doing more with my own lol xx

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