14 Self Care Ideas for When You’re Stuck at Home With a Toddler

Long Days At Home

Sometimes you just can’t leave the house. You’re sick, your child is sick, your car is broken, whatever it is can make the day drag on forever!

We have all been there, just about to lose your mind with boredom and frustration. Wishing you could do anything but build another stack of blocks to be knocked down.

Before you punch Elmo in the face, take a deep breath and read this list of self care ideas for when you are stuck at home with a toddler.  You are sure to find something that will work!

Self Care For You and Your Child

Go Outside – Take a walk or just sit in your yard. Nature has a way of calming all of us down. Make sure you take some time to breath and experience nature. My 15 month-old will happily walk around our yard putting acorns in a bucket so I can sit in the grass and relax. If you have a runner, put them in a stroller or a backpack and walk around so you are not worried about chasing a toddler away from the road.

Take a Bubble Bath – Nothing like a hot bubble bath to calm those frayed nerves, both yours and the baby’s! Get in the tub with your little one and play. Pile bubbles on top of your heads, splash and I promise you will both come out in a better mood.

Finger Paint – Maybe this should have been before the bubble bath? Anyway, get in there with your hands, really feel the paint, smear it around, don’t try to make something beautiful, just enjoy the experience. There are some great non-toxic paints out there but if your kid is a taster try using chocolate pudding or yogurt with food coloring.

Tea Party – Get out your fancy dress and white gloves and really do it up. A cup of hot tea for you and apple juice for the kiddo, maybe even a cookie and you will both be feeling better. Remember, pinkies up!

Dance – Put on some music and dance! There is nothing cuter than watching a toddler dance plus you can shake out those bad vibes and let in the light. Our favorites right now are “Shake it Off” and “Uptown Funk.”

Workout – This is in the same vein as dancing, but put on a workout video or find one on YouTube and start sweating. Endorphines are great for putting you in a good mood and I know my toddler thinks it is soooo funny when I work out.

Watch Something Adult – Put that kiddo down for a nap and watch something inappropriate for kids. My pick? Outlander, the sex scenes with Jamie and Claire, WHOA!

Color – Give the kid a coloring book and some crayons and break out your own set along side them. I love to color in my Enchanted Forest Coloring Book.

Make a Fort – Throw some sheets over a table or some chairs and make a fort. Pop some popcorn and curl up with some good books. No one can be sad in a fort, it’s just not possible.

Write a Gratitude List – Make a list of 10 things you are grateful for, 10 things you love about yourself, and 10 things you love about your kids.

Hug it out! – Snuggle that little kiddo up. Give them so many kisses they squirm to get away. Tell them how much you love them. I promise you will feel better.

Call Your Best Friend – Need to talk to an adult? Someone with words bigger than two syllables? Call up a friend, don’t feel bad about chatting away for a half hour while your child watches a show.

Take a Nap – Rest is so important and as mothers we never get enough. When nap time comes around take advantage and lay down too. Don’t worry about the load of laundry you were supposed to fold or the dishes in the sink, rest is more important than those.

Watch This Video – seriously, no one can be sad watching this video.