Trapped toddler parents:"Where else can you post tuff tray pictures and moan about your husband?"

[PinkDaydreams]

Following on from the previous thread. Thanks @footprintsintheslow for the thread title inspiration 😁

I've kept as much of the length as I could, I haven't had it cut for the best part of a year so the ends were not in the best condition. I'm now googling for some new inspiration on how to tie it up as I'm bored of my ponytail. I'm totally useless at it though.

A fish and chip lunch sounds grand, I can't remember the last time I had one.

I want to go for a lob style I think.

Fish and chips sound delicious right now.

Useless at hair, mine is boob length and all limp and sad. I just spent money on exciting scrunchies though that make me feel 5 again but I love them!

Both babies went down at 12.30 for a sleep today and are still going 3.5hrs later...it's been absolute bliss. I know I'm going to pay for it at DD's bedtime as she will take ages to go off but at least then DH is around to help out! Bad plan? Probably..

Had a lovely toddler group this morning and getting out the kinetic sand when DD wakes. Keeps her entertained for ages so I can sit and feed DS in peace.

How did bedtime go @drumst1ck?

I've only now got downstairs, DD woke up twice while I tried to get DS to go to sleep, so many "just one more stories." My downstairs looks like a toy explosion and I don't think I can muster enough care to tidy it, I might abandon ship and go to bed

@Motherofmonsters surprisingly not too bad! She was an hour later than normal. Possibly having a growth spurt if she's able to sleep that much. I've abandoned all the toys for the night as well, you aren't alone!

Sat working my way through a large helping of cookies while DS cluster feeds. At what point do I have to start eating healthily again?...

@Motherofmonsters bugger putting them away! You’ve got them out ready for morning! I call that an invitation to play!
Get some rest.

@drumst1ck you’re in the period where you’re firefighting, just getting through the days. My god, I felt every emotion in each ten minute period. This is the hard part, everything gets better, even the blackest days.

You know sometimes when you think along the lines of ‘am I doing this alright?’ DS and me were in the park, DD was on and off crying in the pram, fighting the nap she needed, when I looked over at DS as he offered his hand to another child and told him he could help him over the wibbly wobbly bridge, he was being so kind and it was unprompted and I’ve never loved him more. Kindness and good manners are so important in our house and he just did it today off his own back and I love, love, love him all the more for it.

I just think that with all the tears, tantrums, self doubt, endless walks and playgrounds in the bitter cold over winter, we’re doing a good job. Stickers, sand, play dough, post it notes, games, silliness, hugs, all of it. We are better parents than we give ourselves credit for.

That's well said Monkey Puddle. How kind of your DS helping the other boy too.

It's sunny here at the moment, yesterday was torrential rain. Got soaked running into the library yesterday afternoon with both DS, after sitting in the car for 15 minutes waiting to see if it would stop but it didn't, then I forgot to put my mask on! Felt terrible when I saw a woman looking at me then I realised, so quickly put it on. I get so flustered trying to manage both DS now DS2 is walking and running everywhere too. Got some books and free Lego cards so we are currently opening about 20 packets. DS2 got up at 5 today.

Hope everyone has a nice day.

@MonkeyPuddle I needed to hear that today, thank you! And how sweet of your DS, you are doing a good job!

Currently busy doing double buggy research. We held out until he was here to see if we could get away with buggy board/sling for DS but it's just not working for us for various reasons! Any recommendations for a double?

I've been on a mystery tour on some back roads looking for house to pick up some imaginex bits for DS's birthday in July. It's a little early but it's an absolute steal, just need to find somewhere to hide it!

I think I need to put some bits up for sale, I've got way to much stuff and some of it I just don't want in my house. Just need to sneak it past DS...

My brain hurts, just been around my mums with my sister and her kids. They were all really tired so you can imagine how that went...

Hey everyone. Just checking in. I’ve not been able to keep up with the thread because my head is scrambled with things going on atm.

We have been alternating days with park and then tablet time. Today was a park day, and DD has fallen asleep already!

I will try catch up next week. Hope everyone doing ok. X

@Motherofmonsters, what imaginext did you go for? Might look into that for DS1. We have some marvel figures but not much superhero stuff yet apart from marvel sticker books.

Does anyone have a pretend play till? I'm thinking of getting one but a more retro style perhaps, rather than a lot of the modern style ones on Amazon. Will keep looking just wondered if anyone can recommend one. Learning Resources do the style I like with good pretend money but it's £32, seems dear.

Have been outside at playgrounds for what feels like most of the day in the hope so much fresh air will make boys sleep longer. Plus it's forecast rain all weekend.

@chocolatetrifle I've got him the space shuttle and tower, lunar space station and the fire station and truck. All bought off Facebook. My nephew has quite a lot of it and loves it. DS had a play on it ages ago and loved it as well.
I've got the leapfrog count along till they both really like it.

@Motherofmonsters, thank you, they all sound great. I like the idea of the space ones. We like space in this house. Thank you for the till recommendation too, I will take a look.

Evening all.

I got both kids asleep by 7:15 and frankly haven’t known what to do all evening. So I’ve drank wine and read my book. Heaven.

It’s going to be tipping it down tomorrow here so we will have the sand out, make biscuits and decorate them, get the jigsaws out (not been out for a few weeks) wash basket basketball, taught DS how to play granny footsteps the other day and he thought it was hilarious, play libraries with stamps and books and potentially start drinking at 3pm.

@Motherofmonsters well done on the bargain, I see it come up for sale on marketplace but DS is a bit young for it/doesn’t really know any superhero’s so I’m keeping it in my minds eye for other birthdays/Christmas, how old will your DS be turning? Mine turns 4 in June and he’s getting Lego and SuperZings (plastic crap) with some books and little bits.

@Chocolatetrifle we have this till from IKEA, doesn’t have any noise and you have to open and close the drawer but DS likes it, it’s basically a calculator.

@BeHereNowx32 hope everything is ok, or at least will be ok x

Aw that is lovely @Monkeypuddle

We've got a pretend till @Chocolatetrifle - it's a plasticky colourful one though. It has a working calculator though which DS1 likes. I think ikea do a wooden toy till - it looked heavy though (like it would hurt if dropped on a toddler foot).

Work day for me, DS2 is feeling better now. He was cranky in the morning but then cheered up as soon as DM took him on their usual after lunch pushchair - walk. He's going through a very cute stage of picking up his wellys and going to the front door.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend - we have heavy rain predicted

@monkeypuddle, he will be turning 4! I'm not keen on the super hero ones either I've been on a look out for ages for ones that aren't.

Sounds like a good plan for a rainy day. I've got lots of returns to take back to the shop so I'm escaping tomorrow for an hour. I might go crazy and get a coffee while I'm out

Thank you for the till suggestions.

I think it's a hard age to find toys for at the moment, my DS1 is 4 in October, so Playmobil and things like that still seem too old for him but other things seem too young so I'm up for any recommendations too.

11 hours until my haircut and looking forward to it. Time out of the house, without anyone else, plus I'm meeting a friend in the afternoon in the garden centre, all by myself again!

@Motherofmonsters DS watches Disney plus and plays on his dads PlayStation when he stays over there so he has some idea of who they are but he’s not overly enthusiastic about them, his dads a proper gamer and into all the super hero films so no doubt it will come as his dad will push his interests onto DS.

Both children have been up since 5:30, DS has had a solid 2 hours of CBeebies this morning and I’ve had a billion coffees. DP is going to take him to the woods this afty as he can’t spend the day in the house without going a bit crackers, so they’ll have a romp round the muddy woods and I’ll stay home with the baby, fine by me!!

We've been up since 5.30 too. Absolutely pouring down. Tele had been on since 6.15 apart from when we were out.

I've been to the hairdressers and got my lob. DH took boys to McDonald's for a car picnic while I was out.

Currently taking it turns to give piggybacks and make cups of tea and playing indoor football with an inflatable globe.

@chocolatetrifle DS has got lots of Playmobil vehicles (fire trucks, riot van, camper, jeep) and loves them. They get used in all sorts of ways. DD loves the Playmobil people and hats, I know she's not meant to play with them but she loves fiddly things.

Are you happy with your lob!

I'm sat in the car after having a sneaky McDonald break, need to go home and put DD down for nap but I'm lacking motivation

@Chocolatetrifle do you love your hair? Bet it was nice having it done! I think I’m going to book in for a trim and tidy up/time away from the kids 😂

I’ve told DP I fancy a roast dinner (his fave meal) but don’t have the stuff in, he’s practically ran to Asda to get a chicken. Took DS as well.

Decided it’s too wet to go to the woods, which is true, it’s grim out.
We’ve made a jet pack from a cereal box and tin foil. DD is currently rolling around in the magnetic tiles I left out. I’m going to pop out the sand for when they get back.

@Motherofmonsters, hope you are able to get DD to nap. I will definitely look into the imaginext and Playmobil stuff for his birthday.

@MonkeyPuddle, hope you enjoy your roast chicken dinner. Just what you need on a day like this.

I like the lob, it's taken about 3 inches off the length. Was nice to have it done.

Still raining, bouncing off the ground. How on earth did we manage to get through winter at all with no where to go?

Has anyone ventured to go swimming as yet? I'm not a swimming pool fan but DS1 likes it and DS2 has never been in a swimming pool as yet so we are looking into booking a quarter of the baby pool, that's how it's done at our local gym. Wondered if anyone had been or if anyone feels comfortable about going as yet?

Nearly 2hours to get DD to sleep and now I need to do DS. I think DS deserves a medal for being so patient downstairs on his own for all this time. (I could hear him playing the whole time and it's child proof)

Oh god I think I've found my people. At least I hope I have. I have a 6w old and a 2 year old who Isn't Adjusting Well. Or maybe he's just being 2. I don't know but I'm losing my effing mind.

So can I join?