Has anyone got any tips of things I can do with my 4yr old and 1yr old?

We’re at that stage where it feels impossible le for them to enjoy anything together. We’ve slipped into a routine of my eldest having way too much screen time because splitting the attention between the two of them seems to always end in melt downs. But I don’t want to carry on this way 😭

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Following for suggestions as I am literally in the same boat. Finding it very tricky atm!

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Bath city farm is great and free x

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Soft plays, aquarium, farm yard, zoo, toddler villages (if any near you), playgrounds, trampoline toddler bounce sessions, we have a “tiny gym” session near us too they both love, have a look at “ Danny Go” on YouTube for exercise silly fun. I have a 4.5yo and 22m old and the above keeps them both entertained

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How old is your 1yr old? Meaning, are they just one or are they 18m+?
We go to the park a lot, the farm. Soft play, playdates with friends, play group, forest school and just get in the garden.
They both love a marble run (but not if your little one is the kind to put things in their mouths) sensory trays, painting. My son (4.5) likes to paint those plaster of Paris figures, my daughter (22 months) mostly just dips the brush in the paint then in the water 😂 she also loves colouring while I do some maths and phonics games with the older one. We also bake together (just don't worry about the mess or the actual final product... Normally I give the toddler a spoon of the cake batter while my older one helps with putting it in the cases to bake!)
But, given all that.... We do still watch a lot of TV, have arguments, fighting over toys, me absolutely losing my mind..... It's HARD.

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It's tricky adjusting to life with two and I think the adjustment takes longer than people realise. Just as you get used to having a baby again you're older childs needs start to change.
Today we're at a free family fun day. With the weather being nicer we're getting outside a lot more and I find that eases things all round! Easier to keep them entertained, the house is less of a mess because we're there less, they're behaviour is easier because they've been able to be active. Honestly though we just take it one day at a time!

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I just got a mud kitchen for the garden and both my 4 and 1 year olds are loving it. Water, mud and some secondhand pots and pads .. stuff to stir around. Stick some washable paint in the water and it makes it colourful which they love. They put flowers and grass in it and 4 year old does imaginary play (I’m making a cake mummy etc) and 1 year old stirs the water and just enjoys the splashing

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Been called a horrible parent

So my partner has called me a horrible parent, pathetic and selfish

So basically our son has toys in his room and he finds the biggest one to stand on to climb over his baby gate and then after this he has free reign of the whole house... He's worked out how to unlock child locks on the fridge and cupboards so this morning for example he helped himself to a yoghurt and even a spoon from the drawer where the knives are.

So I've switched the baby gate to a more difficult one to open because he even worked out bow to open the gate, and Ive most of his toys out his room and now my partner had called me selfish because I want to lie in a morning, which is true but I don't want my self and our daughter to be woken up at 5-6am when my alarm is set between 7am and 7:45am I usually wake between those times anyway.

Came home from work tonight and all my partner has done is try to argue his point that I should get the locks you put on the doors and so be can't get anywhere around the house and even said put it on our door but he kicked off when I said we can put it on his door instead arguing what if he's sick and chokes on it or if something happens and we can't hear but it would be the same thing if we put it on our door...

My son is 4 and he may have autism, but calling me a horrible parent is just uncalled for because yeah I don't wanna be woke up at the crack of dawn but at the same time I want my fucking child to be safe! He came down to the kitchen this morning before even entering our bedroom...

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8

Just need to rant!!!

Just collected my son from nursery (where I also work but have now broken up for maternity) to find out that a colleague has been off today with the stomach bug but still sent her children in for a full day!
I'm furious as this particular colleague normally complains about parents sending in their children to "spread" the sick bug whilst they're at home and causing staff to become unwell. I'm also furious as she knows I'm so close to having my 2nd baby any day and one of her children is in the same room as my son! This colleague in the past has always gone on about how vulnerable newborns are but all of a sudden she is doing exactly what she moans about!
Part of me wants to message her and have a go but I know it's pointless 😭
I now feel that I've got to keep my son off nursery until at least a month after baby is born just to help protect us all, but I know they will still expect me to pay for his space!

Sorry to rant on here but it's safer than messaging work!

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1

6

How do I just walk away from 3-4-5yrs of a relationship with two kids whom I never even wanted ever in my life

But now mean everything to me. I mean shit what am I scared of ??? I have both my kids why tf dnt I just fuckin leave this abusive relationship every day he tells me stfu you are fuckin annoying asf stfu

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10

C section

My partner got kicked out the room while I was being stitched up during my emergency c section and showed his mum our baby boy before I could even look at him without being drugged up. He’s called me childish for being hurt by this. He said he was crying and that’s why. But wouldn’t your first thought be if I’m okay not to FaceTime ur mum while I’m still in theatre. Was being the first one to hold him not enough? Thoughts?

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7

What is everyone paying for a babysitter?

Let's say once a week for 4 hours how much are you giving per hour?
I'm in the process of hiring a new babysitter and am surprised with how many people asking for $25 an hour with no degree and little experience. My previous babysitter was happy with $10 an hour but unfortunately we moved. Is anyone paying $25+ for a babysitter??

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13

Do you like your husband family?

I guess what i mean is do you have to like them? I dont, i dont like my MIL and i really dont like my SIL ( i do like my Father in law and his new wife)

If you dont like them, is it acceptable to tell your husband.?

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7

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