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

990 replies

PinkDaydreams · 09/07/2021 12:59

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

OP posts:
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61
Lostthetastefordahlias · 03/12/2021 19:19

Thanks @Chocolatetrifle and @PinkDaydreams! Hope you have peaceful evenings.
Was feeling guilty we haven't got a christmas tree yet so did DD a chocolate penguin hunt when she got back from nursery - she loved it so much! Just hid them round the living room before she got home. I got the idea (adapted from a chocolate coin hunt) from a brilliant thread called “Skint Christmas for three children”, don’t know how to link it but definitely worth googling if you are looking for Christmas activities!

Trapped toddler parents: Inspiration and support needed through the summer hols!!
squishymamma · 03/12/2021 20:26

Evening!

Hope DS has a good time @PinkDaydreams and that you enjoy your massage!

Also very jealous of you @Lostthetastefordahlias Grin have the best time and enjoy the peace and quiet!

Glad to hear your test was negative @Chocolatetrifle. Enjoy your home spa!

DS has been very whiny today and quite tired, hope he's not coming down with something. We're going to PIL tomorrow to do some gingerbread baking and decorating with 3 of DS' cousins and having a big family dinner. I wish I could say I'm looking forward to it but honestly, we've been there so much recently and we don't have a car so it's a 40 minute trip one way with trains etc. I just want to have a quiet Saturday Grin but I'm sure it'll be nice when we're there and I know DS will love the baking!

Hope everyone has a good Friday night!

Motherofmonsters · 05/12/2021 11:58

Morning!

How is everyone? I'm having a I hate my house as it needs decorating and is a mess, I need to exercise as I'm pilling on the weight as I'm basically living on no sleep and chocolate constantly, I need to get more proactive with activities for the children but I also can't be bothered to anything mood. Is this just me it happens to? I basically feel like I moan about it all but do nothing to change it? How do I find the motivation to do anything?

We had a good day yesterday even though DH is working all weekend. We went to a local garden centre for their Christmas craft fair. The kids got to visit Santa, DD shouted I don't like it and tried to run away and DS asked him a thousand questions which he was very good with.

Off to the PIL for a roast in a minute once I actually get in the shower.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend

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Camomila · 05/12/2021 12:28

squishymamma have you seen home for Christmas on Netflix? It's set in Norway and the main character goes to lots of advent dinners with her parents/siblings/nephews Smile

Motherofmonsters I hate my flat all the time Grin Its right next door to DS1s school at least. It's my birthday soon though so I'm making DH drive me to ikea for lots of storage baskets.
I find myself moaning a lot too but then DH said something surprisingly wise, I was talking about "mum guilt" and he said he never feels guilty because why would he feel guilty if there literally aren't enough hours in the day to do anything more?

We're ok here, DS2 now has the cough that has gone round the whole family but luckily his negative pcr test already came back so he's ok for nursery on Monday.
He is getting lots of steamy baths with toys in followed by vicks under his vest so is happy enough.

Went to church with DS1 this morning and then might go wander round the garden centre with DM later to look at the nice decorations.

Chocolatetrifle · 05/12/2021 13:31

@Motherofmonsters, you don't have to do anything you don't want to! Somedays getting through the day and existing is all I can manage. Lack of sleep is just awful. A bad night sets me up for a bad following day. I'm a slave to my hormones too. Some days I feel I can conquer anything and things the boys do just brush off me but other days I can't seem to manage anything much and I get irritated by absolutely everything and everyone! Sleep makes things easier or harder.

Didn't have a great day yesterday as boys were bickering all day and it was hard work.

We have been to garden centres 6 times (6!!!) this week. Went to a different one this morning and got a couple of new Christmas decorations.

@Camomila, hope your DS2 gets better from his cough soon. Wise words from your DH too.

Chocolatetrifle · 05/12/2021 13:32

@Camomila, you can get Snuffle Babe bubble bath, it's great. Like a bath full of Vicks or olbas oil.

Chocolatetrifle · 05/12/2021 13:35

I tried to make the snow globe with a plastic jar, pretend snow and some glitter and a Santa figure but it just ended up in a big glue ball mess.

Did manage to make the crackers as attached.

Trapped toddler parents: Inspiration and support needed through the summer hols!!
Chocolatetrifle · 05/12/2021 13:37

Also a tree with leaves, pom poms and sticks. Have run out of Christmas craft ideas now....

Trapped toddler parents: Inspiration and support needed through the summer hols!!
Chocolatetrifle · 05/12/2021 13:39

It's DS2'S birthday this week and I've not wrapped anything up yet, I've not wrapped any Christmas presents yet or written any cards yet either. Has anyone started wrapping yet?

Camomila · 05/12/2021 13:58

Chocolatetrifle Ooh thanks for the tip. I put essential oils in DS1s baths sometimes, but he can be trusted not to try and drink it unlike DS2!

Motherofmonsters · 06/12/2021 18:46

Grrrrrrr I don't know whether it's them or me but I've totally lost it with them this afternoon. DS is always stealing what DD is playing with and DD just has to get in his space and start poking and prodding him. They are then both screaming as they want to sit on me at the same time and when they're not fighting they are sprinting around shrieking. Literally want to sit in the dark by myself for a long time.

Hope everyone else is getting on better!

squishymamma · 06/12/2021 18:57

Good evening!

Was good to catch up on all your news.

@Motherofmonsters I totally understand that feeling, I get it a lot. But agree too with the others that we can only do as much as we can manage. DS is probably averaging about 2 hours of TV a day at the moment during the week, even though he's at nursery 8-4, and I don't even want to think about weekends Grin but I just don't have the capacity for anything else right now, I'm out of breath just getting off the floor! But I know I'm doing what is my best right now. Although sometimes I do find those kinds of thoughts you talk about motivating - even if they don't actually lead to change Grin

@Camomila ha, yes I have Grin it would be interesting to watch it in English/with English subtitles and see if the translation is right, because I feel like a lot of the humour is very Norwegian...are you enjoying it? Hope your DS feels better soon.

@Chocolatetrifle lovely crafts! We're all done with buying and wrapping presents here but this year is a special exception due to the incoming baby - usually I leave it to like 4 days before and then complain because it takes an eternity to wrap everything and it never looks as good as my stepmum's wrapping, which is my major measuring stick Grin

Not much to report from here, still very much pregnant and very much over it...though also not exactly overjoyed about having to get another baby out Grin DS is fairly unsettled in the evenings/nights at the moment, I think he's aware something is going on but doesn't know what and it's making him a bit clingy. I'm hoping the borders stay open so my parents can come for Christmas! We had a great time at PIL but it was very intense and a late night so we spent most of yesterday lying on the sofa, though we did take DS out sledding which he quite enjoyed.

Hope everyone has a good evening!

Chocolatetrifle · 06/12/2021 19:10

@Motherofmonsters, what you have explained there is exactly what mine are like too, both are similar ages to yours and do exactly that too, the snatching and climbing on me both at the same time.

Chocolatetrifle · 06/12/2021 19:16

Not much to report here, had a bad night as dS2 kept waking up then refused to go back in his cot. Ended up in bed with DS1 and ds2 and husband in the other room.

@squishymamma not long to go, it gets so uncomfortable doesn't it? Hope you have a good night tonight.

Motherofmonsters · 07/12/2021 09:18

Sledding sounds amazing @squishymama, we never get snow down here. Not to long to go, think of the squishy newborn cuddles!

I'm glad I'm not alone with the children falling out constantly, it's relentless some days.

We've just got back from the soggiest school run. It must have been bad as DS actually put a coat on. Hope the weather isn't to bad elsewhere

Chocolatetrifle · 07/12/2021 10:41

Morning everyone, it's wild here at the moment.

@Motherofmonsters, some days it is relentless with the fights..mine can have a fall out as soon as they get up. DS1 will snatch DS2'S toy etc. It seems to be going more that way as dS2 is getting older and more vocal. They do have some nice moments together too (sometimes). I try to leave them to things but some days I feel like all I am doing is thinking ahead as to how to avoid the next squabble.

Chocolatetrifle · 08/12/2021 15:55

New toddler activity: microwaving satsumas apparently this is all dS2 wants to do. Open door of microwave, put in satsumas, close the door, open the door and repeat....

How is everyone? It's terrible weather here, rain and wind.

squishymamma · 08/12/2021 19:55

Evening all!

Still no baby here. DS is turning into a typical toddler with ups and downs, he was full of joy when he got home from nursery today and we played a lot but then he refused to eat tea and complained about going to bed. Ended up giving him a digestive biscuit and he finally fell asleep...joy!

@Chocolatetrifle I don't fully understand why the microwave is so fascinating but DS is the same Grin hope the weather gets better for you!

Motherofmonsters · 09/12/2021 19:15

I'm feel absolutely gutted tonight, took DS to martial arts and I know he's annoying as he runs around and crashes about but a couple parents were really mean and aggressive about it. Apparently if a child can't fully follow instructions they should be kept at home. So safe to say we aren't going back, I just feel so bad for DS because he loves it. I don't want to be in that atmosphere and for him to pick up on it. I'm sure they'll be absolutely delighted they got rid of us.

Chocolatetrifle · 09/12/2021 20:04

@Motherofmonsters, I'm sorry to hear that was your experience, were some parents visibly rude whilst you were there? It really gets to me that and makes me angry. I'd say fxxx them and go back with your DS if he is enjoying it. Do you feel like you could do that? Sending you some support here and a hug xx

Chocolatetrifle · 09/12/2021 20:08

@squishymamma thinking of you too, how are you feeling today?

It was DS2's 2nd birthday today, I can't believe he is now 2. We went to the garden centre of course and pottered about at home and had family visits.

Motherofmonsters · 09/12/2021 20:08

Yes my sister who is very 'assertive' spoke to them and they managed to make her cry so was pretty horrible. I'm not a confrontational person so I would rather leave it. Although the teacher has now messaged to ask us to go back and talk to the other parents to smooth it over. I don't think I want to though

Chocolatetrifle · 09/12/2021 20:18

@Motherofmonsters glad the teacher has messaged you. I'm glad the teacher will speak to them, they are the ones who should not be allowed back for being so rude. Have a think about it. If your DS enjoys it, it could be worthwhile. The other parents should be ashamed of themselves. God forbid their children should ever not be perfect at any point.

Chocolatetrifle · 09/12/2021 20:20

@Motherofmonsters, honestly, if I was in your area I would come next week and speak to them for you if i could, but am miles away up near Liverpool. Incidents like this which is blatant bullying by passive aggressive adults really annoys me.

Motherofmonsters · 09/12/2021 20:43

Thank you @chocolatetrifle that made me smile. I have gone back and said we won't be returning, I can't see how a talk is going to change much. They'll still be shooting me daggers and I don't want to be in that atmosphere.

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