Looking after two toddlers HELP

[petalflowercherrybomb]

DP and I (child free crazy dog people) are looking after nieces aged 2 and a half and 16 months this weekend due to some tricky family circumstances. We take them out for the day around once a month but often with DPs mum (their Granny) or SIL in attendance. Now we are going to be looking after them solidly from tomorrow lunchtime to Monday morning at our house which isn't exactly set up for kids...

Older one doesn't have any words and has limited understanding but loves to climb things. Little one is smiley and babbly. Both are very high energy and mobile.

What do I need to know?! Beyond the gin and the fancy lamp what do I need to hide? How are you supposed to make them go to sleep? I have so many questions!

Aww, sounds like you are really helping out in an emergency so as long as the little ones are alive and the house still standing at the end of it then it will be a triumph! Seriously, you are good people for doing this.

I would ask mum/dad/granny about naps, food, bedtime routine etc and try to follow this but don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t work. Timetable lots of time outside, think the weather should be good, take sunscreen just in case. You don’t need to do anything fancy, a trip to the local park to run/toddle on the grass, sit in a baby swing, feed the ducks would be be fine for them every day. It will wear them out and stop them trashing your place. Don’t be surprised if it takes you ages to leave the house. Takeaway and wine for you at least one night! Good luck!

Really toddler proof the house. I. E. Anything small that can be swallowed needs moving. Sharp stuff, heavy stuff that could be knocked off etc.

Definitely what medium said, park to tire them out.

How are you supposed to make them go to sleep?

^

Give them the gin?

Hahaha.

Make sure they're knackered and be prepared to be woken up during the night. What's the sleep situation at yours?

Definitely take them out as much as possible or they will trash your house. Not deliberately but those ages will be into everything. My 18m old’s favourite hobbies are emptying cupboards and drawers and putting her hands in the toilet . Basically you should just about be able to reason with the older one but don’t bother with the 16m old. Just make sure you have a ton of snacks and access to CBeebies. Good luck!

If you’re not used to having both, it can be really easy to get distracted by the older one as they can be more demanding but that’s when the younger one will try and do something stupid or dangerous.

Excellent tips thanks!

Sleep wise DP and I were planning to divide and conquer. I will have little one in a travel cot in our room and she will take older one in spare room. She's coming with a little blow up toddler bed thingy they used for camping apparently. I'm a terrible sleeper anyway (observed by the time of this message) so hoping the sleep situation isn't too much of a shock.

It'll be like when the puppy was little right? Riiiight?

Dog? Yup, same!

(draws breath)

Do you have a stair gate? To keep the eldest from getting up and wandering around? Or just generally for sectioning off the stairs?

P s. Don't forget dummies if the little one had one. Could save the weekend

Actually I think our puppy was worse than our twins at times!

Lots of outdoor play, Snacks and cbeebies as a back up.

Break your days into chunks and don't let them nap too late if you want them to sleep
in the early night.

They have been here 45 minutes. All and any parents I fucking salute you.

Oldest niece has already crushed 3 custard creams into the carpet (she arrived with them clutched in her tiny hands and we didn't notice), younger niece has worked out how to open the stair gate (it took me about 20 minutes to learn) and the dog looks like she wants to leave home.

Going to the park...

Ha.

I was going to say, it’s not the end of the world if they hate all meals offered and you just let them eat crap and snacks all weekend if needed. Parents will not care a jot in this scenario. I would be quite happy if you rescued me at a time needed and they came back having eating toast and custard creams for 4 days straight. But I guess your carpet won’t be so happy

So second tip, if the weathers nice, eat in the garden. The birds will clean up crumbs. Indoors, use your dog as a roomba.

Agree with get them to eat outside, alternatively, make it @ picnic with a very big blanket (even better if you have a waterproof backed picnic blanket) as that helps contain the mess.

No walking around eating ever (still have this rule and my kids are 9-16)

Drinks in closed cups, and preferably water as it doesn’t stain!

As you are aunties, rules can be broken, feed them stuff they aren’t normally allowed, and most importantly, if they don’t eat, don’t worry, they won’t starve in a weekend.

Good luck

i have two toddlers OP. Its hard work but im sure you will be fine! one great bit of advice i heard was "just add water" if they are upset/bored then just add water, could be a drink, a bath or playing outside with a tub of water!

get them outside and wear them out!

Have you booked Monday off work to recover?

The more you can physically wear them out before 5pm the better - more so with fresh air and outdoors.

Don't wind them up or go too giddy before bed. If they are very whiney or upset (more than 20 mins) just chill, go home. Dont go out for anything more than a snack. Post on your local page for a small toddler friendly play area, and go early or late in the day or if its drizzling. For 30 mins in a coat you can still have great fun whilst its quiet.

Go super basic for dinners, they will be out of sorts not having their family so get a firm favourite thats not wholesome - something like spaghetti on toast and yoghurt.

Cbeebies is your friend.

You are a wonderful Aunt.

Haha I have twin toddlers, it is exhausting I won’t lie. My advice would be to get out as much as possible, lots of running around in parks. And try and do some sort of routine, have their parents given you an idea of meal times, bedtime etc? And don’t forget lots of snacks, they always make everyone happy.
But It’ll be fine and dont forget there’s always the tv! Sounds like you’re being a great Aunt helping out. Good luck!

I’ve got two toddlers (twins).

Once you’ve done the house proofing (get down to toddler level and think “how would I fuck this place up?”) you need to think about structure.

Early start, have a fun simple breakfast. Get them dressed after. Then some playtime for a bit. When they get destructive, shove on CBeebies.

At 1000 do a simple outing. Even just supermarket you fill the time. Or a park. But if it’s a park, make sure you have one adult per toddler. If you don’t, go to a park that’s enclosed by a fence and has only one gate. Remember to do a nappy change before the outing.

Home for a simple lunch. Playtime and cartoons for an hour or two.

Afternoon outing, even just for an hour. It’s all about structure. If they nap, then a car nap is the easiest way to get a nap.

Dinner around 1745: keep it simple. Pizza or fish fingers or whatever. And DEFINITELY a dessert. Aim for the win.

Every family does bedtime differently. For us, it’s In The Night Garden on the telly after dinner. Then into the bath for a wee splash. Then bedtime with milk and stories, maybe 15 mins.

Maybe they’ll sleep easily if you’re lucky. Depends on the kid.

Good luck!

My kids are 12 months apart and one of our favourite things to do was to walk for miles (with them in and out of their buggy) collecting leaves, stones to paint etc and then we'd come home for warm milk and CBeebies.

I too have twin toddlers, yes yes yes to getting them outside as much as you can during the day to tire them out in the hope they sleep well! The op above makes a good point about taking them to the park, you can't split yourself in two and go in different directions. I still never take them to the park alone at 3y 9m! CBeebies is a godsend for distraction if you need it. Mine used to love sitting in the trolley round the supermarket looking at all the lights and the noise etc. Be prepared to get asked if they're twins! Play doh has always been a hit in our house. In fact we are playing with it now! Make sure their tummies are full at bedtime, warm milk and/or some weetabix etc. I still believe this helps them sleep! You'll be fine op, you sound lovely! Good luck!

Put them in the bath with some cups and stuff. It tires them out, calms them down and they are both sat safe in one place for ages. Just top up with hot water if it gets too cold and bring yourself something comfy to sit on.

I've never had to try it, but my emergency backup toddler plan is ice lollies in the bath.

I second a shallow bath with plastic cups etc. A good time filler. Just make sure you have towels sorted before you start and something comfy for them to get into.

I am childfree and my sister would love it if I offered to have my two nephews for a weekend. So I hope you come back and update OP as I'm interested to hear how it's going! Hope you are having a good time!

Blowing bubbles in the bath is fun too if you can get or make any bubble mix. I agree with lots of time out doors. Be prepared for indoor activities to last 10 mins and create lots of mess. Make sure you have a treat ready for yourself when they have gone home!

Sweet baby bejeesus I am knackered.

Actually having lots of fun after the initial fraught and crummy 45 minutes. We fed the ducks, managed to avoid either child careering into the pond, pointed at all types of vehicle and said car (well close enough) and are now back at home in front of CBeebies iPlayer eating pasta, peas and cheese on a picnic blanket. Ddog is quivering in anticipation in the corner ready to Roomba!

I like this Waffle dog fellow. Less convinced about The Night Garden one. What exactly is Iggle Piggle?! A marshmallow?

PS to all those who mentioned taking them out alone- not a chance- this was v much a team effort. DP into football and suggested a man to man marking approach. At bedtime we will adopt a more zonal technique- fingers crossed for no own goals.

Hide anything with unsecured batteries, especially those button batteries they are deadly and easily swallowed as are magnets. Also any medicines. Good luck!