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 😁

That sounds like an amazing day @monkeypuddle, I hope it continues today for you.

Rocket Launcher sounds ace @chicolatetrifle. I've thought about a marble run as well but haven't bought one, I probably will when they are a little bit bigger.

Last night went wellish, DD slept until 11 so I got my evening. Then screamed for an hour, gave up and then messed about in her cot for maybe another hour but I'm not sure as I fell asleep and then we woke up at 5.40. I haven't given her any milk first thing as I'm dropping that feed. Boobs are not happy though

Definitely can't drop all feeds in one day, the pain! I've lasted until now though. She's fallen asleep so I'm going to mop the floors and then sit down.

@Motherofmonsters, that all sounds as though you have had a successful start to the night weaning, I'm glad. It's great when you feel something is going so well.

Boys are recovering well from their colds here. I have a suspicion my DS2 is going to suffer from hayfever. He's always rubbing his eyes outside. Any tips for dealing with toddler hayfever?

This weather most definitely helps. We've been to a different park this morning and the in-laws have visited this afternoon. We've just had all the garden toys out and put the teepee out too.

Hope everyone is ok and enjoying the bank holiday.

How are you getting on @squishymamma? Your DH will soon be home and this week will soon pass.

Gosh @squishymamma that is tough, I'd totally cry if DH went away as well!

Today was DM birthday so we went for a walk with her in local park and it only took about 35 minutes to ger everyone out the door 🙄 DH is the slowest Then we came back and did cake and I forced the children to spend the afternoon in the garden so hoping they are tired. Last night was hellish, the twins didn't get to sleep till 8.20 despite being in bed an hour earlier!

Tidied up garden and downstairs and batch cooked a mild chili this afternoon so feel like I can relax tonight.

We are going to try putting DT1 (boy) in big boy pants this week..... is it not cricket to make his first day a preschool day?

All the best with the night weaning @Motherofmonsters.. glad things are better @squishymamma.. sounds like a great plan @Chocolatetrifle.. hoping the night goes smooth @JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff..
DH planned the most amazing long weekend and we went out after such a long time, it felt amazing.. we went to the docks, the beach and to a kiddy park respectively on each day.. poor guy is now making up for the time but honestly he needed the break as much as I needed to get out.. DS enjoyed it so much.. we did end up skipping his afternoon naps, only slept in the car while travelling.. so he is now out like a light.. didn't even flinch when I changed him into pyjamas lol..

Evening!

Thanks for checking in @Chocolatetrifle. Today went well = we all survived. DS went down easily again tonight, perhaps because of all the extra effort I'm putting in to tire him out he had nursery today for the first time since last Wednesday and did not want to go in, bless him. He's also been having loads of toddler meltdowns and though I do have sympathy for him I can only take so much and then I turn into shouty mummy. So shouty mummy came out twice today, which I consider alright considering the hours 4-7pm were basically meltdown after meltdown...

Hope you enjoyed your at-home spa and the rocket launcher which sounds amazing! My nephew has really bad hay-fever, I think he gets tablets from the doctor. They tried to do this therapy you can do where you give injections and build up your body's resistance (or something) but he had a really bad allergic reaction and ended up in hospital he still wants to try again in a year or two! (though he is 13)

@Motherofmonsters if you want to drop feeds faster you can pump/express away the worst of it, just until you get some relief. I've seen that recommended quite a few times, because then your body is like "oh I don't need so much milk" and your supply starts to reduce, but you don't have to go through (as much) pain. Sounds like it was a successful night! Hope tonight also goes well for you.

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff happy birthday to your DM! So nice you can all gather and celebrate. And what a good idea batch cooking, get your feet up. Love that you're doing big boy pants on a preschool day, I feel like they're used to it so as long as he has (several) changes of clothes I'm sure he'll do great

@Anurulz that sounds like an amazing weekend! And with this lovely weather too (I assume it's nice where you are...). I think it's so important to just relax and do something out of your ordinary routine every now and again, especially when we've been cooped up 24/7. I literally now spend 90% of my life in the same room and it's driving me crazy!!

Ah God sorry to moan but tonight was horrendous 😖

I tried to make sure they were tired - did a shower and story for them - in bed at reasonable time but they had a few minutes to play in their room beforehand... and I very nicely but firmly talked to them about being sensible at bedtime.

I thought I was doing all the right things!

They were just awful. DT1 had left his teddy downstairs so I went down to look, during which time he started banging the door of their room repeatedly open and shut. When I found Teddy and brought him up, I told him firmly that wasn't okay and he knew, and he pinched my arm and did a huge spitty raspberry in my face.

They were so cheeky for about half an hour until I lost it and really shouted at them. They both cried they did go to sleep after but I feel shit.

Thing is, I don't think we're soft. They are made to be polite and do small jobs like tidying their toys - they get told no really clearly if they do something naughty - and mostly they are not like this, but bedtimes seem to turn into total little wotsits atm.

Argh!!

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff it's shit isn't it when you think right I'm going to try this then it doesn't actually work 🤦🏻‍♀️ every child is different and each day also different!

I have a feeling it's going to be a tough day today as ds is already being a monster, crying and screaming at nothing.

Regarding hay fever, I think my boy has it as he's been very snotty lately and occasionally has runny eyes. Not sure whether I need to medicate him for it or not though?

Marble run, I bought son one of those wooden zig zag ball runs because he loved the one at the children's centre......he never played with the one I got him, sat unused for 18 months! He's older now though and those marble runs look good.

Urgh DD is never going to go to sleep. She didn't cry when I put her in the cot but she's not going to sleep. The urge to give her milk is strong.

We went to the park this morning with a friend and it was hot. They had fun but I came back with a massive headache. Then we had a powercut so we have no power, then the our security alarm that was here when we bought it and have never used went off. I had no idea how to switch it off! Eventually I found a letter the previous owners had left with the code on. We've played outside most the day so she should be tired.

Evening! Sounds like a rough time for all at the moment.

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff sorry to hear you had a difficult bedtime, hope it goes better tonight. I don't really understand why children play up and don't want to sleep, then as adults that's all we want to do!

@Motherofmonsters sorry to hear you got a headache, so easy in this heat. Does it work if you just leave her in her crib, if she's not crying?

We had a very mixed bag of a day, I seem to lose it way more often when alone (probably because I'm knackered). DS woke up every hour again last night, but didn't necessarily need anything...I have no idea what's going on there. Nightmares maybe? He went to nursery all day and then came back and threw himself round complaining. Weed all over the bathroom floor and then made the drain overflow (it does that if you put too much water down it, it's shockingly bad) and started playing with the dirty water. I was ridiculously angry for no real reason and did a lot of shouting which obviously made him cry more. Sigh.

On a positive note we had fun sharing a fruit lolly, his first one ever I think which was hilarious to watch, and he went to sleep easily again. I've switched up his routine and I think it's really helped (still rely on the boob for sleep though...)

Totally empty of energy now so going to crawl into bed, hope you all get a decent night's sleep!

Oh God @Motherofmonsters that sounds horrid. I don't cope with headaches at all.

Tonight was better, sort of. DH and I decided on 3 rules for bedtime - no spitting, no loud voices and bedtime is not playtime. I mean, they were the rules anyhow obviously, but we just really emphasised them. Then we said we would take away teddies ( ) if they didn't listen, followed by moving beds away from each other.

DT1 lost all his stuffed animals and had his bed moved and DT2 just lost 1 teddy before she cottoned on, BUT I didn't lose my cool at all and although they were sad I think they could see the consequences. They did go to sleep after around 40 mins but yesterday was like 1h 20m.

So I'm calling that a win, sorta, and I am really hoping that if we are consistent we can see an improvement.

I am so hitting the wine tonight!!

DS slept wonderfully until I went to bed (we sleep in the same room still as we're in our 1 bed flat we had pre kids - moving apartments in the next few weeks and finally he'll have his own room).

After i went to bed he's woken up in 30 minute intervals. He just won't settle. I've now moved to the couch.

Why is it so hard for him to give me just a few hours of uninterrupted sleep?? I can hear him getting worked up but I just can't bring myself to go in there...FFS

Oh gosh bad nights all round then, it was so hot last night too!!

I feel awful, son's arms are very pink this morning, I thought I'd been putting factor 50 sun cream on him but I've checked again and it's a 30! So upset with myself. Would it be madness to put a long sleeves top on him today? We are meeting a friend at the park this morning otherwise I'd keep him in today.

Talking to husband last night saying I can't work out if son has a cold or hayfever. He's got a snotty nose, clear snot, eyes seem to run when outside occasionally and he's had allergies in the past. Only thing making me think a cold is that I've had one and DH has one now so I'm not sure if that's what son has got too?

Looks like rough evenings all around. Did DS eventually sleep longer @squishymama.

DD woke twice and settled fairly easily and didn't wake up until 7, literally a miracle. Night weaning has definitely improved things.

I would put him in a long sleeve @pinkdaydreams. Don't worry, its easily done. The sun has been super hot.

We were meant to be going to on a walk around a national trust site today with a friend but thunderstorms are scheduled for today. We're just going to pop over to her house and maybe attempt a walk of the weather is better. DS is currently watching a hamster complete very complicated obstacle courses out of cardboard on YouTube. I'm not sure if it's cruel but it seems happily enough doing it. I assume he would sit in the corner and not move if he didn't want to do it.

@PinkDaydreams don't feel bad, it's not like you didn't suncream him at all.

@Motherofmonsters I think the hamster is probably enjoying themselves Whenever I watch a programme about zoos they always seem to give the animals little challenges (like get the banana out of the box) to keep their brains stimulated like they would be in the wild.

We have been on a self-isolaton roller coaster.
Friday DS1 had the day off school as my dad was getting a Covid test.
Came back negative so we could see the ILs on Sat and get our first doses on Sunday. Phew!
Then Monday a DC in DS1s class tested positive, but school called us and said because DS1 hadn't been in school on the Friday he wasn't a close contact (they count back 2 days) and he didn't have to self isolate. Phew again!
I bribed him with icecream to take a lateral flow test just to be on the safe side and it was negative.

DS2 is busy growing another canine, so I'm a bit tired as all he wants is milk. He is obsessed with the fridge magnets so we are going to play with the mini white board and magnetic letters today (heavily supervised, I saw a clip on the news at the weekend of the dangers of swallowing magnetic toys!)

@Motherofmonsters congrats on the good night! So glad night weaning is working.

@PinkDaydreams aww don't feel bad, it was an honest mistake and I'm sure the redness will disappear soon. As long as the material is breathable I think long sleeves work great. Does your DS have the same symptoms as you both or different? From what you write it sounds more like hay-fever, but if the symptoms are similar to yours it could absolutely be a cold. Does he respond to Calpol?

@Camomila that sounds like an interesting week, glad none of you (including your dad) have COVID though . Hope teething goes fast for you!

DS finally settled again and slept through to 6am with me on the couch...looks like I've been evicted from my bedroom until we move!

We had a long morning, I think he's noticed DH is gone and he's worried I'll leave next. If I move more than 1 meter away or stop focusing on him he starts having a meltdown, and he's been very clingy when I've dropped him at nursery. Sunday feels so far away!!

It was very helpful to rant here last night, usually I use DH but obviously he's not here...best thread on MN!

@PinkDaydreams, it could be your cold that your DS has. I would think more red eyes and streaming eyes with hayfever. Absolutely fine to put him in a long sleeve t shirt and try not to worry it's such a battle trying to get suncream on at times. Hope you had a nice time at the park.

@Motherofmonsters really pleased for you that the night weaning is going well. Hope it means you are getting a bit more sleep yourself.

@squishymamma, night times solo must be very hard plus stressful this week. You are doing great, one day at a time. Get some sleep when and wherever you can, even if it's the couch. I remember DS2'S sleep going haywire about 15 months and I'm sure I posted about if there was a sleep regression then which I think there is. Your DS1 could be going through that.

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff, how old are your twins again? Sounds like you are doing a great job of trying to get them to settle well at night. I think if it's repeated every night they will soon get the hang of it.

@Camomila glad the tests were negative for you too. Thank goodness DS1 doesn't have to isolate. We had a magnetic white and blackboard with magnets and chalk and it was great. It broke but I've not yet replaced it.

My boys are still under the weather with this cold, it's taking it's time to go completely. DS1 is playing his favourite game, Challenge Mummy. He has thrown his brother's sun hat over next door's fence so need to rummage for another and he has thrown his brother's toothbrush down the back of a cupboard. He starts pre-school next week. I'm excited for him yet nervous as I just want him to behave well there and share and learn and not do all the silly antics he does here like throwing things etc. We've just been doing the usual playground visits and pottering in the garden.

@Motherofmonsters did you end up going to the national trust site or have you got thunderstorms?
@Chocolatetrifle he could be doing it for a reaction? He will be fine at preschool. I was worried about my son going but he loves it there!
@squishymamma this thread is great for moan isn't it?! I'm the same, tend to come on here now rather than complain to DH.

Thanks all for the help regarding hay fever or a cold. I'm now thinking hayfever as we've been to the park and for the entire time he had a snotty runny nose and watery eyes which went puffy. Since getting him home and wiping his face with a flannel and washing hands, hes not snotty anymore and no watery eyes. Has anyone any experience with piriton? Ive read it knocks them out, is it really that drowsy making?

@PinkDaydreams, I hope so! Could you speak to a pharmacist about the possible hayfever see what they say? No experience of using Piriton with toddlers, unfortunately but I also have suspicions my DS2 will suffer too but it's hard to tell if it's just his cold or not. Will see if it continues while the pollen is high.

Can totally recommend these bath pipes that stick to the bath, they are on Amazon reduced at the moment.

@Chocolatethanks thanks for the pipes, just purchased a set!

Phoned the pharmacist before and she said to speak to the gp as he's had allergies in the past so I'm due a phone call tomorrow from the doctor's.

I feel like I'm wasting doctors time over hay fever which is why I called the pharmacist

@pinkdaydreams, we didn't end up going and the thunderstorm never came but we went around my friends house and then went for a walk to the park so they had fun. DS ran full speed down a ramp, fell over and bit his lip, I have never seen so much blood. It's still bleeding a bit now and it happended an hour ago! He's got a massive lip.

I've tried hayfever stuff with DD as her nose always runs. It didn't make any difference for her but I didn't notice any drowsiness so worth trying. I never have any luck when I ring the pharmacy's.

Oh my goodness, this child can throw some tantrums. He's only 15 months, surely I should have some more time left before the terrible twos kick in??

Tonight we had wee on the floor and his toothbrush dropped down the disgusting drain, which was preceded by many, many tantrums. Tried to video call with DH too and I don't remember who said here that it was a bad idea, but you were 100% right. DS had a major crying fit and ran away to hide, I felt terrible!

Drinking my imaginary wine and trying not to think about the mound of washing up waiting for me or the bread dough I need to make...

@Chocolatetrifle that sounds like a familiar game! Good luck in advance for preschool, I think children are really good at being one way at home and a total other way somewhere else. I remember my sister was a terror at home, then they got the report from nursery and it was all about how loving and caring and kind she was...we wondered if they'd got the children mixed up

@PinkDaydreams no experience with Piriton, sorry. Good luck with the GP call. I think it's good if DS has already had allergies that you speak to the GP, they'll know more about the best course of action probably. I don't go to my GP often but sometimes I go for the most random of things, and she always tells me that she'd rather me "waste" her time than sit and worry about it and potentially miss something, so that was reassuring. I'm sure your GP will be the same

Gosh @squishymamma it is very tough. I can't even do bedtime properly without DH to hand! How many more days?

DD1 is 6yo, nearly 6.5 and DTs are 3y 3m.

Better tonight, though not perfect! DTs fussy but not really naughty. I took teddies away once but they cried and called out that they would behave so I relented, and they actually did. There was a lot of "I want my blanket with elephants on" and "I want my pillow turned over" etc etc but they settled down for their bedtime song, and I only had to go in once. They fell asleep around 7.45 after having gone to bed late ish at 7.15.

We have decided to move BoyTwin into pants this weekend so will be interesting to see if that messes things up again.