Tough day ahead (3yo and baby)

[okthen]

Help! No idea how to get through today without losing my mind, my temper or both.

I had a bad night with the baby (17 weeks) and dd (3) has seriously got out of the wrong side of the bed. She has whined or kicked off about everything so far today- and when there's been nothing to kick off about, she's created something.

She almost certainly won't have a nap later and will probably refuse to go to the loo for hours on end too.

I hate to see her unhappy like this- and more immediately, don't know what to do with her/them all day.

Any ideas?

[missmapp]

Is it dry with you- A run in the park will do you both good, it might wear her out, it will make you feel better and then when you get home you can but cbeebies on safe in the knowledge you have already entertained dd.

And keep repeating- This too will pass!!

[okthen]

It is dry. Park is a good plan.

I think she has nits (again) too

[BrainDeadMama]

How about getting out this morning, some fresh air/activity (park, library etc), then lunch out if poss, then an afternoon of cuddling/snoozing under a blanket with a dvd? Would any of that work at all?

I empathise, often in this situation myself.

[ScottyDoc]

Fully sympathise OP. I've got a whiny 3 year old and a demanding 17 month old. God only knows what I'm going to do today. I'm thinking of painting with the eldest whilst toddler naps later and then a trip to the park/food shopping to knacker them out. I wake up most days with the same predicament...wtf to do with them!? Try some art or baking with eldest today and the park, then come home and put a film on with some healthy snacks for her and you. And breathe. It gets easier i swear.

[gillian88]

I know how you feel. I have a 2yo and a 6 month old who are both grumpy, loaded with the cold and have both vomited since getting up! Very little sleep last night as my 2yo was up crying cos he seen a monster.

Long day ahead

[KatherineKrupnik]

Day out. Only way to survive.

[okthen]

Some days are so wonderful and some are SO HARD.

She is off films at the moment (she worries they will be scary) but I think park, baking, cbeebies and stories are way forward. Friends coming to play later so that will distract.

Hopefully the baby will have a sleepy day.

Courage to all!

[belindarose]

Completely with you. I have a 3.6 year old in a foul mood (eczema making her worse), 7 month old with a cold (who doesn't sleep), and I've got the shivers and aches at the start of a cold.

We do have 3 hours of nursery this morning - although nowhere near ready to leave for that. I can't decide whether to keep out of the messy house all day so I don't have to look at it, or come back and hope baby naps.

Might do lunch out and play cafe place. It's a bit of a drive, but at least that keeps DD in one place for a bit!

[fairylightsinthesnow]

sympathies - this is why I work 3 days a week so I only have to do it twice!! Just what everyone else has said really, plus ensure you have a good supply of biscuits! every now and again you have to surrender to the circumstances, not be supermum and just get through it, If DS (3) is in a bad way for some reason, he vegs in front of the TV and frankly, I let him. Most of the time he is in pre-school dashing about or out in the garden on the scooter so the odd day of this is fine if its what needed. Its pissing down here so I am going to sigh, fork over the £10 and take my two to soft play shortly.

[okthen]

Yes I think what's partly hard is feeling I should be achieving stuff- housework etc- as well as looking after them.

I am on mat leave, and at the moment dp seems to end up doing the vast majority of the housework on top of working full time. I know it is work to look after two small children... But I still feel bad that some days I fail to even put the laundry away or whatever, then he slogs all weekend to keep things ticking over

[LadyWidmerpool]

Aw, your DP sounds like a good 'un. It won't do him any serious damage. I'm sure you aren't reclining on a chaise longue eating maltesers all day. You're a team and you're both slogging just now but it will ease off.

[IrnBruTheNoo]

Agree with others, just get out there in the fresh air. Will do everyone the world of good. Even if it's only for 30 mins, you'll all feel better for it.

[IWillOnlyEatBeans]

How are you getting on?

I have a 3 yr old and a 9 week old and have been car-less today as DH accidentally took the keys to work with him!

We have one small playground in walking distance so we did that this morning (until DS1 started crying as he was too cold!) nd I have been forced to play Transformers with DS1 all afternoon with DS2 asleep in the sling!

I am rewarding myself with a takeaway and glass of wine tonight!!

I AM Optimus Prime...

[IWillOnlyEatBeans]

Oh - and I get the 3 yr old to do the housework! He loves nothing more than unloading the dishwasher, putting the wet washing into the tumble dryer etc. I'll get the feather duster out in a bit and let him faff on with that! :)

[belindarose]

Oh god, Transformers must be dull! I get SO bored playing 'you be the mummy and I'll be the baby'! At least I cn sometimes get things done while playing that.

We went to a good indoor play place, where DS slept on me and DD played house. Only an hour till first bedtime. Wine and bath for me tonight.

[TheCountessOlenska]

Oooh ladies I keep reading threads about having toddler plus newborn as this will be me in a couple of weeks. I am scared! I think it's hard work entertaining one all day and now I'm on mat leave I miss my part time job loads

[okthen]

Well, 3yo is tucked up and baby is having his bedtime feed. It was a pretty rough day but I didn't cry at any point, so it could have been worse.

We should have gone out as you all wisely advised, but didn't. However she did play in garden then we had a couple of kid/mum friends over which saved my sanity (well the mums did!).

Am so glad it is bedtime. Definitely going to have a glass of wine and relax in front of telly. Can hear dp washing up downstairs, bless him.

Thanks for the solidarity today ladies.

Countess, having two is truly heart-filling and amazing- just some days are shit, as some days are when you have one. You'll be fine!

[missmapp]

Well done! My two are now 5 and 7, they fight play together well and are much better at occupying themselves. I remember the days you describe only too well, but it does get easier!!

[BrainDeadMama]

Well done OP :)

That's good to know missmapp. Someone else with primary aged dc told me that toddler and baby is definitely the hardest bit and I find that really encouraging until we hit the teenage years

[BrainDeadMama]

Oh and countess- I second what the OP said- having two is hard work but genuinely worth it all! It is looovely having two, you'll see :)

[TheCountessOlenska]

Thanks guys I am excited about it as well as scared!

Glad your day turned out ok okthen

[belindarose]

Yes, Countess, I agree. My goodness, it's hard. But probably no harder than one. And seeing the love mine share between them is the greatest pleasure I've ever known. I could never have predicted it. In fact, I had awful antenatal depression, mostly because I was terrified of how number 2 would affect number 1. He has enriched her life in a way I never expected. How wonderful it is for her to be unconditionally and utterly loved by another child.

[BrainDeadMama]

What a lovely post belinda :)