Anyone Else?? - Langhorne,PA

This is not only a TEMPORARY thing... but also a great way to get him to use his imagination and to help teach empathy.

I'm in the same boat! I have a son that will be 3 in two weeks and I'm due with my daughter on Christmas Day. I have no energy to play outside, but my little boy is so active and loves it so much. Mommy Guilt..., It's a beast. I try to get him out with his dad once he gets home from work, even if for 15 minutes and when I'm inside with him, we play ball in the basement, read, do craft projects, that sort of thing. I did take him to a large community playground yesterday and I felt so bad because I had to leave after only about 20-30 minutes because I had to pee. He was so upset. I'm not one to put him in front of the TV, so I understand how tough it can be to come up with fun things to do. How about one of those small tents that you could set up in the living room? My son loves that!

Oh, the mommy guilt machine..............Don't feel bad. And don't overdue it. By taking care of yourself, you are also taking care of your baby. Stay inside and focus on getting things ready for the baby and spend as much time as you can cuddling your son!!

I had a similar problem. Baby #3 was born in July, so it was so HOT!! Do what you can. Also, maybe he can have a play date--go to a neighbor's house for an hour or so? Maybe dad can take him out for some fresh air? Hang in there:)

I was on "modified bed rest" due to a high risk pregnancy- with a toddler to take care of. I spent most of the day on the couch while my husband was at work.

I felt guilty at the time, but it was only for a month and I did try to spend a lot of quality time with my son even if we couldn't be as active. I read books to him a lot, and tried to come up with games that we could play together. We watched more TV than I would have liked, but thank goodness for educational kids shows like sesame street.

Anyways, my son didn't have any negative effects from being cooped up inside for a month. This too shall pass. Good luck!

Can you get a friend to pick him up once a week and take him out to do something with her kids? Even if it is just a McDonalds play area! I remember going through this same thing when I was pregnant. I felt so guilty for not having the energy to do things every day with my son!! My friend would pick him up and take him to her house for a couple hours and he would have a blast. Next you will have a newborn and feel guilty again but then things smooth out!

Don't feel bad! I was there this time last year :) Do you have any family or friends around? He could go to their house or an afternoon so you can get some rest and he can have some fun outside of the house? Daddy can take him on a walk when he gets home too. That would be some good Daddy/son time.

Totally normal and fine! Stop feeling guilty especially because it's just for a short time. If he's not bothered by it you shouldn't be. And like my momma always told me, "kids don't really remember things until they're about 5." So no permanent harm done! :o) Congratulations and enjoy the home stretch!!

My experience was similar to SH./Susan. Hang in there, your son will be fine because you don't have too much further to go! If you are worried about him getting out after the baby is born try some of the good ideas others have expressed. Congrats!

My daughter was 3... when I was pregnant with my 2nd child.
I felt like that... I also spent a TON of time with her, talking about "us" and about Mommy taking care of her growing tummy etc.
And she would even nap with me... or tell me to lie down when I looked tired.
Its okay.
You can't just be an energizer bunny.
My daughter, understood.
We did a lot of quality time, indoors too... really bonding and her with my tummy (her baby brother) and it really made her feel special and included and a "team" with me about it all.... I was open with her... in age appropriate ways... about how important SHE is.... but Mommy gets tired sometimes because of my huge tummy... and I need to rest... or it makes me pee a lot.
She was fine with that.
Actually, one of the things she LOVED to do is rub my tummy, sing to it, talk to it... and take pictures with her hugging my tummy. I got SO many GREAT pregnancy photos of her WITH my Tummy... and it is a real real real.... great sentimental photo 'journal.' My now son... loves looking at the photos too... of his big sister... hugging my tummy with him in it...
My Daughter would also like to play music for brother in my tummy... and dance around as though he could "see" her. Real cute... and a super great "bonding" thing... for her... and me...and all 3 of us.... BEFORE baby brother was actually born.
She totally bonded with her brother and loved him dearly already... BEFORE he as even born and came home.

all the best,
Susan

That happens my dear, do not feel guilty. It will be soon enough you all will be running all over the town. He will adjust, but if you are really worried about him see if you can hire someone to take him to play, or et up play dates with friends and have him run around playing with the other kids.

Things will get better soon enough.

I have. I felt guilty too. Remember it's temporary. Your son will be okay. Have your spouse play with him as much as possible and TRY not to feel too bad!

Good luck!

I always feel that way in the winter. It's normal. I have an almost 4 year old and a 22 month old so yeah winters are hard. I just get this feeling like we have to get out of the house and I feel bad if we stay in all day cause I feel like the kids need that out time. And right now it's worse for you cause you don't feel like getting out being so close to the end of your pregnancy. But I just still try to get out. I take them to McDonalds, the library for story time. Preschool for my 4 year old, play dates etc. Even if it's just a few times a week then I don't feel so bad. But I think it's pretty normal to feel that way.

i am going through it right now!!! i am going in tuesday to have the baby and i just dont have the energy to run around a playground and swing and go down the slide and..... everything else. i can usually get a friends of ours little girl to go to hte park with me and help out with the promise of icecream after (shes 11) and ive tried to find other activities that get us out of the house and are enjoyable and easy for me to do. we go to the lake and feed the ducks- one of our favorite things to do!! i can lay a blankey down and sit down and throw bread and relax (and take lots of pictures). actually the weekend of halloween i took my son my niece my little sister (11) and our friends daughter (11), i thought all the kids would strerss me out, but they made it sooo much easier on me. my little sister got bit by a goose- it didnt hurt her but it sure did staaartle her lol. i also take him to the indoor play place at mcdonalds- corny i know. but he gets apple dippers and i get ice cream :) hell play in therre forever!

I went through this during two winter pregnancies, and one summer one (I hate going out in the heat even worse). Don't feel bad! Skip it. Your son will not be affected at all in the long run. It's only for a couple of months. Some kids never get enough exercise and outdoor play. Be good to yourself mentally-whatever it takes-you really need it!

Get some outside things for your back yard, look on Craigslist and Freecycle , yard sales and rummage sales. A little sandbox with a lid will keep him happy for years-much better to have your own and be sure it is clean then let him use one in a park!! A swing you can attach to tree. You will love having your back yard set up a) now so you can take bathroom breaks easily, b) later when you have an infant napping _just take a monitor outside and c) when you are potty training! Eventually you'll want to go to the playground to socialize but in chilly weather it's great to be able to go out for a short time. WE have two playgrounds near us but when we got our swing set (someone was getting rid of...) my SAHD hubby said "I didnt know I needed it, but this swing set has made my life complete"
If you possibly can- get a small climber thingy with a tiny slide that you can keep inside this winter- you dont have to worry he will out grow soon it cuz the next child will enjoy it! and you can always move it outside in the spring if you feel crowded then