Sundays are my enemy

amother

OP ↓

Sun, May 05 2024, 2:24 pm

I have four kids under 5 Kah and Sundays are just so hard for me. It’s like time doesn’t move. I am so exhausted (tried napping when a couple of them do but couldn’t) and I can’t keep them entertained. I have a small house and everyone just goes crazy. Especially when not good weather out, it’s just like I don’t have any koach left in me. I try art projects, games, pretend play, all different ideas, but nothing lasts more than 20 min and I’m fried. Banging head

amother

Tan

Sun, May 05 2024, 2:39 pm

Don't be hard on yourself.

Four kids under five is insane! I don't know how you survive.

My two little kiddos keep me busy and on my toes and we live in a tiny apartment. I try to structure the day little bit. We do extended mealtimes and shmoozing round the table. (Baby in the highchair) so that grounds the older one a little and breaks up the hours. We go to the park, play with the bike and scooter indoors, sometimes we bake.

I would recommend you try go out for some of Sunday. Make a plan ahead of time. E.g. the farm, soft play, park, mall. Even just for 1.5 hours and they feel like they had a change of scenery. Honestly, just realizing that I don't really know if you could get out with all of them on your own so maybe just disregard my ideas Smile

I have different circumstances.

amother

Dimgray ↓

Sun, May 05 2024, 2:43 pm

Going out does wonders. Even just dumping them all in a shopping cart and browsing a store. My kids loved Barnes and noble at this age. Playing with the stuffed animals, the train table, jumping on the stage, reading board books etc..

amother

↑ Sand

Sun, May 05 2024, 2:55 pm

amother OP wrote:

My husband is home with me and it’s still so hard! Even with him home it’s really hard to get out on a Sunday especially with everywhere so crowded

What’s so crowded? What are you referring to?

amother

Pear

Sun, May 05 2024, 3:06 pm

amother OP wrote:

omg I was just feeling so bad. I have an only child. I would love to take some of your kids to occupy mine. I was just feeling so sad and also how hard it is I have to act like a kid and be playmate for lots of time its not easy.

mummiedearest

Sun, May 05 2024, 3:29 pm

Plan out a month of Sundays at a time. Have a plan a and plan b for each Sunday: a nice weather plan and a bad weather plan.

Sample month:

Week 1- plan A- go to park with a packed picnic, kites, bubbles, and scooters.

Plan b- visit a relative.

Week 2- plan A- kids’ museum
Plan b- cookie baking at home, a walk around the block, and a homemade obstacle course through your living space. Cookies to be eaten after a group cleanup set to music.

Week 3- plan A and plan b- the unused plans from the previous weeks

Week 4- plan A- a trip to the library followed by a family outing to a bakery/cafe/family friendly restaurant

Plan b- a family trip to the mall. Bring lots of snacks and drinks and some small toys you can tether to the stroller.

Note: for any rainy day, always consider a puddle stomping expedition! Make sure they all own rain gear. Prep dry towels at the door for when you all come in and plunk the kids in a warm bubble bath together immediately. Then Jammies, story time under a shared blanket, and a treat with one parent while the other gets supper together. Preschoolers and toddlers can stomp puddles pretty much forever. Bad weather does not always mean an indoors day.

Also, there are often free family activities available locally. If you plan in advance, you can take advantage of those.