Screen time

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I just want to tell you, it gets better! My babies were 21m apart and I left their dad while 9montha pregnant with our second. Also anemic, depressed, all the things. But it gets better. It’s hard still now with both babies, but nothing compares to that feeling when you’re pregnant, caring for a toddler and all those things combined

it’s fine dw sometimes it’s needed. you deserve a break, couple days at 21m won’t impact them

If you need a rest then the kid can watch TV all day. Screen time is better than a stressed mum.

Look up low simulation shows. At that age, mine loved Puffin rock, Giant Jack, the flumps, the clangers, button moon, etc. Older shows are generally good for this, anything early 90s or earlier is grand.

Also, educational shows can help ease the guilt. So, things like numberblocks, alphablocks, Martha speaks.

Avoid very flashy hypey shows with a lot of drama/flashing imagery as you'll end up with a hyper child which is the last thing you need. I found Spidey, octonauts, the new peter rabbit, things like that were the worst for outbursts afterwards.

And pop some craft materials or engaging but low simulation toys infront of them while they watch TV so they move to playing while the TV is on and drift between activities.

Honestly sounds like the perfect reason for a TV day.

We are a low screen household. When we watch something we do it as a family with purpose. But I got struck down with norovirus and could basically not parent very well, so we put Disney plus on for most of the day. He watched it a bit, played with his toys mostly. But yeah it was on all day.