Parenting during lockdown

“Why don’t you listen to me?” Is probably heard through every household. More so than ever!

Parents are tasked with the hardest job ever. Where they are not only a parent, but, a teacher, doctor and most importantly a friend to their little ones.

I honestly take my hat off to every parent who is homeschooling their kids. I honestly don’t know how you do it!

However, I am a mum to a toddler. A toddler who is trying to push all my buttons. Who can give Jekyll and Hyde a run for their money. Honestly, it’s incredibly hard coping with a toddler who wants your attention for most of the time during the day. At first they will give you a really cheeky smile that will make you melt and be amazing by listening you to and wanting to join in. Then by a click they turn into a little rascal by not listening to you and playing on you like you are a climbing frame.

To try and keep my little one amused, I have tried offering some sensory activities . I offer water fun, arts and crafts and playing with jelly. I am trying to teach him numbers and colours.

I don’t come up with a plan in the morning for the day. I don’t even come up with a “pl” (Phoebe’s best line on friends).

You can try and come up with amazing ideas. However, do the kids stop and sit and take part?

If your kid is anything like mine. They will need a lot of reassurance and encouragement. I try and I really do try to get him to sit down and be curious on what I have set up for him. This doesn’t work a lot of the time.

He will just run for a different toy and say “bye”. Not really bothered what there is for him. Don’t get me wrong James likes doing some things more than others. He loves participating in baking and water activities but trying to introduce new activities can be very hard.

This can cause me to become frustrated. I turn into someone I am not and sadly I raise my voice. Once I realised what I have done. I go back down to his level and offer him a hug.

In hindsight, I realise that I should take a few seconds and take a deep breath before I confront James. As there could be a reason why his behaviour changes. He could be hungry, warm or sore.

That’s when another parents role starts we turn into Miss Marple or Poirot. We have to investigate the reasons why they act up. With James he usually changes behaviour so he can get attention or because he wants to take us to the kitchen so he can have something to eat.

See, what I mean?

In lockdown it is harder for us parents. As we can’t get out as much. So the kids have a lot more energy. Energy that they don’t know what to do with. James just runs around like a whippet and throwing balls from the ball pool everywhere, and I mean everywhere!

With the amount of energy they have. It’s hard for them to use it all appropriately. We do go out for walks and play in the garden but that doesn’t always work. We try to dance away the energy whilst listening to children’s music and musicals, but that doesn’t always work.

As a parent to a 2 year old i have to set a routine. This does sometimes work with the change in his behaviour. We have a set time for a nap and I try to encourage a creative time and a learning time. I alternate this. Most of the learning time is in the morning when he is more awake.

However, as parents we shouldn’t go through this alone. We should talk to other parents as they may be going through the same thing. They might have some tips too!

A great website to check out if you are struggling with parenting during lockdown is http://www.parentclub.Scot

I don’t want parents to think that they are alone. So if you feel you are alone message me. I am always there, if you need to talk.

Stay safe

💖