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Looking after 2 DNephews tomorrow - advice needed!

6 replies

HollyFP · 01/09/2011 22:57

I'm helping out my SIL tomorrow by looking after her two boys (almost 5 & 3.5) while she has an inset day at school. I've got my own DD of 13 months. I've not had the two together on my own before, and am actually starting to wonder what I've let myself in for

Please share advice on stuff that I don't know already - how to go about taking them to the loo ( !!), how to diffuse squabbles, good ideas for 'quiet time' etc. It's like a crash course in parenting!

I have stuff lined up in my mind for them to do, eg drawing, CBeebies magazines, books, play outside, play instruments...although not sure if this is anywhere near enough! My DD will quite happily sit and be entertained by her DCousins, so I don't need to worry too much about her

Maybe someone can just reassure me that my house will still be intact at the end of the day

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Tigresswoods · 01/09/2011 22:59

It's due to be sunny. Get thee to the park.

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fanjobiscuit · 01/09/2011 23:02

Keep them outside for as long as possible .

Good luck :o

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HollyFP · 01/09/2011 23:08

problem solved!

But seriously, am a bit clueless wrt loo visits & boys (youngest has only recently potty trained). I think I can wing the rest

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NeverendingStoryteller · 02/09/2011 00:31

Re: the loo - give them 150ml - 200ml drinks, and encourage them to go to the toilet half an hour after each drink. They might need a step at that age to be able to pee in the bowl, so organise this in advance - they might also need to use the step to reach the hand basin. Supervise the first couple of trips - talk them through what you expect them to do - ie

"Step up on the step"
"Pull down your shorts, now your underpants"
"Can you hold your willy/penis/pee pee (whatever) and aim in the water? Wow! Great shot! or (more likely) Whoops, point down/up/across a bit!"

When they've finished, get them to wait 20 - 30 seconds and get them to try and squeeze a bit more wee out, then get them to shake a half dozen times before pulling up pants and shorts.

Supervise hand washing.

If they get it right the first couple of times, maybe get them to try going on their own - reminding them that they can call you if they need you.

It will be fine though - they will have a wee routine at home, and will probably tell you all about how 'they do it like this, actually' - LOL - you'll be fine!

Agree with the other posters about getting them outside - at that age, run them like they're dogs.

When they're gone, disinfect the floor - bleugh!