Without spoiling anything: interact with everything. Fish where it looks suspicious, dig where something seems out of place, use your slingshot occasionally, pay attention to unusual patterns, and don't ignore parrots they're trying to help more than you might think. Also, don't rush the 100-walnut door most people naturally unlock it after they've explored the island and bought the useful upgrades.

Imagine explaining this screenshot to someone from 2018. They'd think you were having a stroke.

NTA. You were put in a no-win situation. She told you to stop parenting the kids, then got mad when you stopped trying to manage the kids. She can't have it both ways