Trapped toddler parents: puddlesuits splashing towards spring

[WeSearchedHereWeSearchedThere]

All guardians of toddlers welcome, we offer ideas, activities, and a shoulder to lean on when it all gets too much. We’ve conquered winter, next stop spring!

Continuing from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4105179-trapped-toddler-parents-of-the-fabled-winter-2020-2021-puddle-suits-at-the-ready-hello-christmas?pg=1

Just wanted to say I love this thread and you people. Thanks for all the support and ideas.

How goes it @drumst1ck ?

@BeHereNowx32, oh yes that does look a good game. I will keep my eye out for that too.

@drumst1ck, hope you are ok. It's such a whirlwind, and you are on day 4/5? Your hormones are all over the place now. How is baby? Hope you are healing and recovering. Take everything slowly.

@MonkeyPuddle, glad your day at work went well, that's brilliant DP held the fort so well whilst you were there.

Yesterday afternoon we went to a little museum which DS1 loved.
Last night was all over the place, think was up about 5 times. Today we went to a toy shop and boys picked a couple of new things. We have mainly played in the garden. DS2 loves kicking footballs. Ds1 picked a toy lawn mower. I've mainly spent today carrying DS2 around like a two stone backpack as he has another tooth nearly through and has been very miserable. Ds1 keeps trying to push him over so I'm really trying to keep reinforcing that we don't do that. Looking forward to bedtime!

Second loving this thread, it just feels like such a safe space to talk!

Yeah day 4 today. Milk came in properly yesterday which is giving me some bother but hopefully some cluster feeding tonight will ease up the melons! DD is starting to get very overtired now. She isn't waking properly at night but it's stirring way more than normal and just generally quite irritable now which I suppose is to be expected considering she's suddenly gone from only child to having to share her parents! DH is being amazing and taking her out every day but I'm really missing her and struggling not being able to properly look after her. Physically I'm feeling pretty good which I'm thankful for, no stitches or anything so best I could have hoped for. Terrified for DH to start back at work next week though. He's doing half days to ease back in but with feeding I just don't know how I'll cope!!

Some good news. Because of DS2's blocked nose, he hasn't been able to stay latched which meant he actually fell asleep without nursing the other night. Then last night I was just getting really fucked off with the aversion and kept taking him off and he fell 98% asleep without nursing (then burrowed back in for 5 seconds which I could stand at least). Fingers crossed that means he's getting closer to not needing it any more. I think I am leaning more towards weaning or at least cutting him right back to a token/occasional feed now, rather than tandem feeding.

@Chocolatetrifle museum sounds good! Looking forward to when our city museum opens as it is brilliant, we usually take the train as well, makes these things much more exciting!
Hope the tooth pops through soon. Evolution really missed the trick with this teething malarkey.

@drumst1ck does DH work at home or out of the home? When DD was born I honestly just dropped my standards of parenting and house keeping down, dropped them right down. Those first six weeks of getting feeding established were mainly focussed on having my boobs out, flinging snacks towards DS, getting aaallll the toys out and watching about 23hours of kids tv in a 24hr period.
Things I found that helped, DP took on doing all the laundry (he was shit at it, but I wasn’t doing it), we ate quick meals, chicken breasts banged in the oven in a sauce and veg from the freezer. Done.
When DD was napping I would try and make a proper 1-2-1 effort to do something with DS, just for 10 mins or so, really give him my attention, he really responded well to that. DD is almost 6 months now and he’s only just really started getting interested by her in the last few weeks. And even then, not that much!
I’m a massive five minute mum fan and she does this thing called Triangles, so when you have lots of things to do, choose three and do two. I’ll attach some pictures I screen shotted off her Instagram. I like it, as I’m still getting things done, the pressure comes off a bit and I can give myself a bit of a pat on the back!

@BertieBotts I hope you get boob freedom! Aversions must be awful, you’re an utter hero for feeding though it. Would he understand if you said that the milk was all gone?

Both kids have been up since 6:30, DD is already on her second nap of the day and I’ve sent DP and DS out to the shop to get some flowers for my mum who were seeing this afternoon. I’ve got a lovely coffee and am just listening to the birds. I’ve extended my fasting window today for the day, mainly to test my ability/resolution, but I started at 6pm yesterday and will break fast at 3pm today. So far not hungry, which I’m sure will change!

@drumst1ck, one thing I tried to do was get spare clothes, vests etc for both downstairs first thing so it would avoid unnecessary trips upstairs (I had c-sections so really struggled with moving) but it does help you feel organised. Hands on snacks, drinks of water, toys, books etc, tele on. Don't feel guilty about anything, just getting through the day is enough, you are being there for both of them and that's plenty. I always hear of giving your DC1 a doll so that they can pretend to feed baby whilst you do etc, would that work with your DD? I didn't try that personally as my DS1 would not have gone for that.

@MonkeyPuddle, I definitely want to take DS1 on a train soon, he will love it.

I love the Triangle theory. It's so true we can't do everything all of the time. Have a nice time at your Mum's.

This morning we have had some garden time and I have sorted out DS2's clothes. He's going into 18mth to 2 years. I kept some little hats that the boys wore when born, 2 little cardigans, their first shoes and their christening rompers. I'm not ready to let them go yet!

@MonkeyPuddle @Chocolatetrifle thank you for the ideas, they're really useful!! I think I need to lower my standards for the next while and just survive! Very lucky that DH works from home so is available a lot more than if he was out. I like the idea of the doll, I think DD might take to that so will try and find one for her.

Beautiful weather again so going to get out for my first walk around the block today, test out the buggy board. DH hates it because he has long legs and struggles to walk behind it but I'm tiny so hopefully will have more luck!

DS has gone off to preschool so it's just me and DD. My house is a disaster after two weeks of him home which I was planning to sort but DD is stuck on me. I cant even take her off my lap without her crying.

@Chocolatetrifle I’ve saved my two favourite baby outfits and popped them on teddies and then put them high up so I can see them but the kids can’t get them 😂 can’t beat to get rid of them.

@drumst1ck my DP works from home, he took DS to the park/the shop/a walk/the pond every lunch time to get him out the house and a bit of exercise those early weeks (I had an EMCS so wasn’t up to walking much!) and it was an absolute lifesaver.

@Motherofmonsters the house can wait. We are not machines x

I’ve taken the baby to a music baby class this morning, was really nice. Other mums! Being out the house!
Have fed the baby and left with DP and I’m in the car park at asda listening to some music in the car, feels like a bloody mini break!

The stomp rocket was an absolute success! £12 on amazon, it goes so high! Even DS could get it almost to the telephone wires! It does need a bit of space so you’d need understanding neighbours/big garden/use in the park.

I have been indulgent and ordered baby clothes from Next since we probably won't have a UK trip this year ever again probably

@MonkeyPuddle He understands but doesn't believe me and wants to check and find out :o Actually I have said "That side is empty, try the other side" before and he tries and then agrees with me. I can't currently get him to just not try at all because he is way too sad and I can't handle it :( Also he will not fall asleep any other way (although fingers crossed this is finally changing). He bumped his head today and he asked for boob, so I said do you want that or an orange Smartie egg? He chose the chocolate egg. I can handle it if it's for a few seconds but I really don't want to feed unless I have to because it feels rubbish. Just hoping the aversion doesn't transfer to the newborn - people say it doesn't but I will wait and see. If it does I don't see myself BF for very long which will be a shame as DS1 fed for 4 years and DS2 is 2.5 now!

DD was not happy last night, think I've managed 2 hours. I even fed her in the night to see if that would help, it didn't and now ive probably undone my night weaning.

I don't think I'll be achieving much today, I have a food delivery this morning and then I'll probably go to my mums house in the afternoon.

@BertieBotts they’re lovely. I like all the different colours. :)

@Motherofmonsters hope your get some rest today. How old is DD again?
I do whatever I can to get my DD back to sleep. She had milk during the night and is 2 (I know it’s not the same because you are night weaning, but sometimes we need to do things like that. Especially when you had no sleep!) hope you’re ok today.

I don’t have plans today. My DD is loving old macdonald had a farm. So, I might stick some cereal and toy animals in a tray- to make a sensory farm 🙈 that will take all my effort lol

Feeling a bit better now I've woken up properly, thank you beherenow she's 18months. She used to wake every two hours which is why I night weaned a month ago else I would of carried on! Hoping it doesn't go back to that but I'm sure it was just because she wasn't feelinng happy. A sensory farm is a great idea!

Anyone want two extra children this morning? Ohmyfuckinggod. DS came back from his dads yesterday and is being defiant as anything. DD is on my boobs constantly.

@BertieBotts clothes are cute, I do like next, they wash and wear really well.
You’re doing brilliant with the feeding and the aversion, friend of mine put a muslin between her child and breast do he could snuggle the boob but not feed from it when she was weaning him off.

@Motherofmonsters that sounds like a hard night, but one night won’t ruin it, it might be a testing of your reserved, but you’ve got this. And hopefully you’ve got lots of coffee as well!

@BeHereNowx32 that’s sounds good! I love simple play ideas like that. Easy set up, easy clear up and they can come back to it through the day.

We’re going to a local farm today which has an ice cream parlour, despite it being up the road we’ve never been and I fear I have oversold it to DS who is very excited to see giraffes there...

Had words with DS’s dad last night as he treats him more like a mate than his son, drives me potty. He also bought him some summer sandals (he’s taking him to a caravan next week and I’ve not got DS’s summer clothes as it’s not bloody summer yet and I need to wait for payday) and he begrudged buying them as that’s what his maintenance is for apparently. He spent £11. His bloody maintenance didn’t even cover half the cost of nursery for the best part of 2 years! Let alone his living/clothing/food expenses. When DP and myself moved back in together (we were together years ago) he expected to be able to reduce his maintenance as DP should be paying for him. But he didn’t want him ‘playing daddy’, just wanted his money to pay for DS. Anyway.

Trip to the farm and I’m craving shepherds pie so I’m going to make that for tea tonight. Did my first 24hour fast yesterday and it felt brilliant. Am now down 10lb in 3 weeks (am rather fat so this weight loss will slow down) but I’m chuffed!

@drumst1ck you will cope as everyone does somehow. I found having two horrific for the first weeks. My toddler behaved like a total lunatic and brat and not like her lovely joyous self. I thought I'd ruined her for forever. But then she just turned a corner and things settled. Your life will become normal for you even though you can't imagine it right now.

As for the buggy board, I'm really tall and couldn't stand it the first time I used it but now it feels normal so I must've changed my gait or maybe my legs have shrunk.

@BertieBotts love those clothes! I had feeding aversion but it comes and goes

Sunny here but baby has had her jabs today so it'll be a quiet home day full of snuggle and quite possibly tv when the toddler comes back from nursery.

It's official; in the case of Angry 3.5 year old v Tired Mummy the winner is Angry 3.5 year old. I've lost, given up, and admitted defeat.

Omg I've had a really bad few days and I'm blaming the cola Calypo I bought DS1 on Sunday, probably all the sugar and additives have sent him crazy. He has put my phone down the drain in the garden, I'm waiting delivery of a new one(on DH's now) and flushed some underpants down the toilet and threw his cup over next door's fence! We seem to have entered a naughty phase. Current phrase is 'I won't!'

Anyway' onwards and upwards etc etc etc. Trying to be calm and explain that we don't do things like that , hope it starts sinking in soon.

We have been to a small library this morning and had a playground visit. Just lots of time outside. Have put balloons in the playpen which DS1 enjoys but he is also enjoying running round the garden too. Did manage to do some painting with the paint sticks yesterday and DS1 stuck the brown one on my head. Think he's telling me my roots need doing but that's another story.

Hope everyone has a decent afternoon and everyone behaves.

Ps well done @MonkeyPuddle on the weight loss! Go girl!
I've just eaten a Rustler burger, I don't even particularly like them, it's just been that kind of day! Glad the rocket launcher was good fun. I'm definitely going to get one.

@drumstick , how are you getting on? How is baby and your DD? Hope you enjoyed your buggy board walk. I'm short too, I sort of have to walk to the side with mine.

@footprintsintheslow hope your DD is ok after her jabs.

@BeHereNowx32@Motherofmonsters I still milk feed my DS2, 16 months in the night. He's waking approximately 3 times at the moment.

@Motherofmonsters you see hero for coping with this sleep! I'm awful with sleep deprivation

@MonkeyPuddle that's brilliant weight loss! To achieve anything for yourself with small kids is an achievement I think.

@BertieBotts the clothes are lovely! I found myself doing that to cheer myself up during lockdown. 8 week old DD got bought a lovely 1st birthday dress!

@drumst1ck how are you feeling? It's really tough with 2 I'll not lie but it does get easier. Try to savour a newborn cuddle when you can.

@Chocolatetrifle there are some days when we could happily sell them aren't there!!

What's the general thoughts on another thread as this one is nearly full??

I am extremely keen on another thread though also lacking the skills to actually make it happen. I have not been contributing much lately because my 7.5m old is suddenly the most whingy baby ever and will not be put down for 5 seconds, but I really look forward to catching up on the thread. Hope everyone gets some sleep tonight, especially Motherofmonsters and Drumst1ck! Well done for gritting your teeth at ex MonkeyPuddle that sounds infuriating.
We did a game today where I hid the names of nursery rhymes on bits of paper round the room, every time toddler DD found one we sang the relevant song to the baby. Was weirdly popular haha.

Yes to another thread. Where else can you post tuff tray pictures and moan about your husband at the same time.

Yea to new thread. I would have lost my bloody mind without this safe soace!

And for stealing ideas to entertain my kids!

Yes me too - I'm going to shamelessly hijack it for help with my 6 month old and sleep tho

I've made a new.one but unsure how to link on here!