Trapped toddler parents: Inspiration and support needed through the summer hols!!

[PinkDaydreams]

Following on from the previous trapped toddler thread!
Sorry for rubbish title!

Evening everyone. How is everyone?

Hope you've had a bit of sunshine where you are?

@Camomila, I take Vitamin B too, hopefully it helps, it's supposed to tackle fatigue. Some days though I'm still on the floor with tiredness. Your trip this week sounds great. Let us know how you get on.

@Motherofmonsters, hope you have a good weekend with your DH being off. Glad your DC had a good time with your in-laws yesterday.

@BeHereNowx32, don't even stress about the Tele. We all put it on and we all need downtime.

@squishymamma, hope your DS enjoys the doll and pram set. I read somewhere it's great for them to have a little doll to play with when baby comes. My DS1 had just turned 2 when DS2 was born and whilst I didn't have a dolly for him, I can highly recommend Mr Potato Head, and the mini versions (Toy Story ones), they kept him occupied for a good while. How many weeks are you now?

We've been to Gulliver's World today, it was good as it has little rides they were able to go on, plus different playgrounds dotted around and a Dinosaur Lost World which was fab.

Hope everyone has a decent night.

@Camomila sounds lovely! Yes please do keep us updated, hoping all goes well for you.

@Chocolatetrifle thanks for the tips! I've never seen a Mr Potato Head here but will have a look.

We went to 3 toy shops yesterday and no pram!! Or rather, they had fancy bassinet toy prams but no bog standard strollers which is what I want. Will have to order online it seems.

I'm very grumpy this morning because DS was up at 5am and DH just continued snoring despite my heavy hinting last night that I'd quite like him to do the morning wakeup as I do it literally every single day. I know, I should have pointedly said it...but I kind of did and he went into a bit of a huff like I'd personally insulted him.

Then of course DS and I had the battle of the nappy change, where he tries hard to wriggle away whilst I try to clean him up - and it's ALWAYS when he's pooed. He just point blank refuses to lie there and has a full blown tantrum. Anyone with any tips? I did a lot of strong firm voice and then resorted to shouting...maybe with some expletives

Have a long day today with dinner at a friends'...pray for us

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!

That sounds so fun @Camomila - hope it is fun for all and not too exhausting!!
@BeHereNowx32 we have been there so many times with the telly dont feel bad. Sometimes its what needs to happen, & think of all the hours where they are not watching tv (is what I tell myself ). All my attempts to get DD (3yrs) to have a quiet time with books as an alternative have failed (any tips welcome!).
Gullivers world sounds so fun @Chocolatetrifle! When this thread first started we could only dream of such things!
Hope the day was ok @squishymamma. me & DH have set days for early mornings & night wakeups. It is flexible but at least it usually takes the discussion out of it.

We are off to the Chatsworth farm & adventure playground in the peak district today!! Very excited despite DS treating the whole household to a sleepless night (felt so bad for the PILS but they put a brave face on it!)

@squishymamma, it's so much easier when they are potty trained. My DS2 did a pebble type poo in his nappy, I didn't know he had done it so I took off his nappy pants and the pebble poos fell onto my new rug. Grim. One rolled under my chair, luckily I noticed. He is now at the stage of pulling off his nappy pants himself. I leave a potty out and he sometimes goes and sits on it sometimes not. He's not two yet so don't expect anything but it's something for him to sit on! Perhaps distract your DS with something to hold whilst you do his nappy?

@Lostthetastefordahlias, happy birthday weekend to your DS ! It's so emotional the first birthday. Hope you have a lovely day. Hope you have sunshine. Stickers albums are good for quiet time at this age I think.

@BeHereNowx32, we've had the Tele on since 6.30, they've pottered doing other things but it's been on. Honestly do not worry about it. Your DD is learning doing things all the time. I watched Tele when I was young and have turned out ok like I'm sure we all did!.

Sorry about the early poo talk! We've been up since before 6, DS1 has just asked if it's afternoon yet? It feels like it .

@Chocolatetrifle @squishymamma @Lostthetastefordahlias thank you! I’m quite an anxious person and been feeling down. So, it’s like a vicious cycle with the tv!
We have lots of plans this week. So, it will all balance out.

@Lostthetastefordahlias have you seen the boxes with speakers? There’s a Tonies box, yoto or a cheaper leap frog one. They’re like audio books, and play songs for kids. I haven’t used them but thought about getting one for quiet time with my toddler!

What’s is everyone else up to today?

@BeHereNowx32 , sorry you have been feeling down, hope you are ok? We are hear to listen if you need us.

We are just having a quiet day. We had a busy day in the end yesterday as my friend came over and we did all sorts in the garden. Everyone is feeling tired today and a bit whingey. The weather has turned. We've had a bit more of a clear out. Had a couple of toddler games out but after the excitement of opening up the box boys are just fighting over the pieces and not able to play them together at all, so watching tele instead!

@Chocolatetrifle thank you! Having a better day today. Took DD to an outdoor group today. She was able to find bugs and explore a forest. Bit of garden play (and tv 😅) this afternoon.
Hope you get an early night and some rest tonight!

Hello everyone.

@Lostthetastefordahlias I love Chatsworth! I go whenever I can, though haven't been for a while. We went once to watch Pride and Prejudice in the gardens, it was magical. Hope you had fun.

@Chocolatetrifle good to know it's not just me who struggles with bodily emissions though I feel for you. Sounds nice to have a quiet day with TV as peacekeeper.

@BeHereNowx32 sounds like a great day, and an outdoor group is a brilliant idea! Should see if it exists here...

DH had clearly been thinking a lot about the sleep situation (after he'd woken up and I'd complained discussed it with him) and he offered to let me lie in both days at the weekend from now on! He doesn't get up as early as me but still early so I said no but I will claim Sundays

Ordered the 5 Minute Mum book and it finally arrived today and has already been put in use. DS also helped me make muffins, mainly by eating all the raisins, but he enjoyed it so that was good. Very much looking forward to slobbing on the couch all night though...

Ugh, just had an incident in Boots. Has anyone seen those little trolleys they have? dS2 was in it in the seat and then DS1 tried to get in it when my back was turned, but tipped it over, cue trolley on the floor sideways with both DS on the floor too. dS2 crying. Thankfully both are ok but I had a flash vision of an A&E trip whilst it was happening in slow motion.
Thankfully another lovely mum helped pick us all up and the trolley and the shopping. Thank goodness for the lovely stranger mum . Totally my fault!

@Chocolatetrifle hope all ok! Shopping with kids is stressful 😭 x

@BeHereNowx32, all fine- now thank you! Phew. I was a bit stressed out yes.

We've had a library visit this afternoon. Ive got the sticker books out too

How are things.? Can't believe it's September tomorrow xxx

I have just totally lost it with DS, he literally ignores every single little thing I say and wont leave DD alone. I ended up shouting why are you ignoring me, just stop it really loudly at him. I just couldn't stop myself. The SEN lady finally called me back so that's something, she gave me some ideas and is going to see him in October.

We've been to the park this morning with a friend then my mum's this afternoon so we've had a fun filled day.

That sounds awful @chocolatetrifle, I'm glad no one was hurt. A library trip sounds lovely.

Ugh I hate when I do that @Motherofmonsters but we are only human and especially this time of day it starts getting a bit much sometimes doesn't it. I get so fed up when DD is just harassing DS all day whatever I do. Hope you are ok. Good that the SEN lady responded in the end.
Hope your nerves have settled @Chocolatetrifle that sounds so stressful. No harm done in the end as my dad always says!
We have had a good weekend at the PILs, their cream carpets somehow survived intact and Chatsworth was lovely. Saw some friends up north with kids exactly the same age as DD & DS and it was so lovely and reassuring and it made me realise how much I miss everyday pushchair walks mum friends since moving house in the middle of covid. Thank god for this thread!!

I'm typing after having a little cry, dS2 just won't go to sleep and I just want him to go asleep, I'm really tired and enough is enough for one day. He just keeps getting up and walking around and I just want to go to bed. DH is settling DS1 who needs to get up sleep for preschool tomorrow.

@Motherofmonsters, glad you heard back from the SEN lady, it's not too long to wait until October now. Don't worry about the shouting incident.

@Lostthetastefordahlias, glad you had a good trip, it's the good days that help us through isn't it?

Ok he's asleep, he has two legs in one short leg so it looks like it's a skirt, but he's asleep. I'm going to erase todsy and start again tomorrow.

Sleep well everyone x

@Chocolatetrifle I know we usually send support here but I wanted to send you a little hug (if you like hugs!) despite covid - it sounds like it has been a long day and I have definitely been there before with DS. Crossing fingers he goes to bed soon and you can have a nice brew and a rest.

@Motherofmonsters I've been there too, sometimes it just builds up and even though you know they aren't doing it to get on your nerves, you can't help it. I'm always comforted thinking that it's how I react to DS in the majority of cases that will stick with him, not the times when I just can't help shouting. Good news about the SEN worker, hope you get some good support there.

@Lostthetastefordahlias I get this feeling every time I see the one mum friend I have who has her child in the same nursery we have DS - we used to go on walks together when our DC were tiny babies and it saved my mental health. I get a similar sense of reassurance from this thread too, totally agree - like we're all having a (very long) cup of tea/coffee together. Glad you had a good trip!

I'm shattered (nothing new there), MIL came today to pick DS up from nursery, she's going to start doing that once a week to get him used to her being around him regularly. He seemed to quite like it so I was happy. He's started being very dramatic when something doesn't go his way, lies on the floor and hits his head on the ground or - my personal favourite - runs off to find a corner to cry in. He did it in church on Sunday, stood with his hands against the wall and let his dummy dramatically fall on the floor while he wailed. I can't help but laugh at him, but manage to compose myself before going and empathising with him

Hope everyone gets some sleep!

@Chocolatetrifle that’s hard going! Good night ❤️❤️ Hope you all get lots of sleep tonight

Sounds like everyone is having a tough day/evening I'm glad the DC were ok this morning @chocolatetrifle

My contribution this evening is DH panicking and announcing "Oh God is DS2 vomiting blood? ". What actually happened is DS2 had been eating blackberries and coughed up some (bright pink) milk. I wasn't worried but DS1 was wailing "now we can't go on holiday". Eventually got everyone to sleep, and rinsed the sheets. Packing will be done at dawn tomorrow!

@squishymamma, thank you so much for the hug! That's great that your DS is getting used to your MIL collecting him from nursery. Hope you got a bit more rest.

@Camomila, that's scary! So glad for you it was a false alarm. Glad your DS is ok. Hope you have a lovely trip.

@BeHereNowx32, ah thank you too. Hope you are having a good day today.

It's so lovely this thread, all you ladies are fab!

I have dropped DS1 at preschool and he didn't cry. I've also dropped DS2 at my parents and had a lovely hour and a half to myself . We had a disturbed night sleep wise so got up in a bit of a grouch. However I've whizzed around a couple of shops all by myself and grabbed a large latte so feeling a bit brighter ready to collect the DS'S.

Hope everyone is well and hope everyone has a lovely day.

Thanks everyone, parenting is such a struggle sometimes. My theoretical children were a lot easier!

Sounds like you're having a great morning @chocolatetrifle, I like having a mooch around the shops by myself as well.

We've had a good morning so far, played shops and made glittery pictures (my house is covered in glitter now) DS and DD have been playing together as well which is nice to see. We're off the park later with my family, last afternoon of play together before they start school.

We have finally left the house
I knew DHs plans to leave at 8am were unrealistic. Currently sitting in Asda carpark while DH pressurises the tires.

@Motherofmonsters, glad you are ok too. I find it a struggle some days too. Some days nothing goes right. Hope you have a lovely afternoon at the park.

Good evening all

@Camomila hope your trip is going well! You reminded me of a time when DH panicked because there was mysterious red liquid on the door...it was from barrows that had been in the porridge

@Chocolatetrifle sounds like a lovely day, so happy to hear about your DS. Hope you got a lot of energy from the caffeine!

@Motherofmonsters I say all the time that I was the perfect parent pre-kids I think of all the things I absolutely wasn't going to do and have a good giggle - no screen time, no dummies, no phones around the baby (she says typing this out while DS is watching TV with his dummy in )

It's been a very long day here with lots of appointments and meetings - had my checkup with the doctor today, I'm 25 weeks now, and all is well. The baby is incredibly active and loves kicking DS whenever he's on me - hope that's not a sign of what's to come!

Hope everyone has a lovely night.

*berries not barrows...that would have been an interesting topping

@squishymamma, that's great everything was well at your appointment. 25 weeks already! It won't be long now will it?

How is everyone today?

DS1 has had preschool and didn't cry again, hurrah, I'm hoping we've cracked it now as he's going every morning from next week now.
DS2 has the sniffles and was up a good few times in the night.
We've had a quiet day, nothing too eventful. Had a go at one of those Baker Ross kits, make your own autumn wreath, they are good as you just need to peel off the stickers and stick so DS1 can do them himself. I've ordered some glitter as inspired by @Motherofmonsters yesterday so we will have a go at making some glitter autumn pictures, leaves, acorns etc. I like doing it outside so we can just shake it everywhere. To be fair I love all that kind of thing and so does DS1, DS2 still tries to eat it or ends up with it all over him.

Hope everyone is ok? Any plans yet for the weekend? It's our wedding anniversary this weekend (11 years!) So hoping for an afternoon out , a cake and some bubbly perhaps!

Hope all is ok.