The Virtual Village - a space for parenting 'stuff'

Hi Shaz51, he's 28

@Harmony_seeker

mine are 28, 30, 32 and 33

@Faith-and-Hope

Hi All 👋

I have 5 kids from early 20's to early 30's, one with substantial disability. My husband worked 7 day weeks, and long hours every day, when our kids were growing up, so I was effectively single-parenting. It's challenging ..... but doable and rewarding. Very important to find pockets of self-care time and activities tho.

@Loreli

I found it useful to give the toddler a mini-version of whatever I was doing ...... ie pots and pans to play with on the kitchen floor when I was cooking, with some harmless utensils like a potato masher or slotted spoon. If it's a hygienic enough setting, you could also give her some toddler food to put into them, perhaps on a clean towel on the floor, so it doesn't matter if she just eats it.

If hanging washing she could have a few pegs, and ask her to pass you pegs, and clothes from the basket as you hang them up.

If she is able to manage toddler crayons and some paper, she can scribble while you work on your iPad, perhaps drawing her an iPad on her paper and letting her "write" on it.

Homemade play dough is easy, and too salty to eat, so that is a good alternative to tv, but finding a gentle music channel on the tv in the background helps to provide white noise, keeping the house from being too quiet.

Starting cues that bedtime is coming an hour before you want her in bed helps to prepare a toddler for sleep. Turning the volume progressively down on the tv, turning our lights and lamps on, after dinner bath time, bedtime warm milk drink, reading a short bedtime story by lamp-light, commenting that the sun has gone down so it's time for sleep, all lead in that direction.

I hope these suggestions help.

Hello i have a 7 year old with high functioning autisim and a hearing sensory issue that is still not been diagnosed.

Mine are a lot younger @Shaz51 14 and 12, but old enough to fend for themselves!

Hello @Harmony_seeker

the oldest is a girl and she is daddy`s little girl

the other 3 are boys

they all have some degree of MI like their dad

just a reminder , put a @ in front of members names so they will get your message

Hi to everyone who have popped in here.

For any who have not met me. I have 3 boys 4 12 &15.

Each high maintenance in their own unique way but all with big hearts. We are blessed despite our challenges.

@Former-Member 👋

Hugs bsvk you my beautiful sis @Shaz51 ❤️❤️