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

[PinkDaydreams]

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

@Motherofmonsters what a horrible experience! It made me so mad just reading that. I bet their children aren't perfect, it always amazes me how quick other parents are to judge when they just don't know the child AND they have children of their own and know how bloody hard it is to make them act like adults think they should - which I also think is rubbish because they're children!! Gah. I totally understand why you don't want to go back...are there maybe other classes in your area?

Thanks for thinking of me @Chocolatetrifle I'm actually feeling pretty good today, though I did have a 2 hour nap which I think helped still having twinges but nothing major yet so just waiting. And reliving DS' birth constantly and especially the pain of getting the head out, which is probably making my body be like "nope" he'll come when he's ready I'm sure!

We had friends for dinner again tonight which was nice, had pizza and DH made DS his own which was essentially bread, so he ate quite a bit. Fingers crossed it keeps him full because he was up at 5am this morning demanding food...

Oh @squishymamma such an exciting but apprehensive time! I hope it is not too stressful with thoughts of your previous experience coming back. Kind of wonderful timing though with Christmas! Hope you have a good day today.
@Motherofmonsters I can’t believe that whole experience, that is horrible and I am sorry you have had to deal with that. I hope those awful parents feel ashamed of themselves as the teacher was obviously on your side. It is stupid because it won’t do their kids any favours having super judgemental parents like that, and when issues come up with their child or their parenting, which they will because it happens to everyone, it will hit them harder because they thought they were so “perfect”. We go to classes where children (including mine) are very high energy and don't follow instructions, nobody acts like that about it! Its just the way it is with little ones! Hope you are ok and can find some nicer classes. It sounds like a draining week for you - I hope you can relax/ have fun a bit this weekend.

Thank you everyone for your support, it's my first encounter with crappy people so has shaken me up a bit. The leader of the franchise has messaged my sister to say the people involved will no longer be returning but I'm still not comfortable going back.

Apparently the lady said that she works with kids with Autism and if they are running around you just tell them to sit down and do it. So that was her argument ignoring the fact that 1) DS doesn't have autism and 2) every single child with Autism in the world will just sit down if you tell them? I highly doubt it.

Both kids are at nursery/school today so I'm having a lounging doing nothing day and then it's a weekend of Christmas decorations and going on a Santa steam train with the in laws.

I really hope she doesn't work with kids with autism.

Santa steam train sounds great! I have left it way too late to book most christmas stuff but we are hopefully meeting a “woodland santa claus” at a nearby arboretum Sunday. DH is out all day tomorrow so I am going to try to set up some toys out of the cupboard/ crafts etc tonight while watching a hallmark movie.

How are you feeling now @Motherofmonsters? I think you go with your gut here, try to find a much better run class for your DS. It's appalling what happened. Do you know of there are any other similar classes nearby?

@squishymamma how are you feeling today? Have you managed to get your feet up at some point?

@Lostthetastefordahlias, the woodland Santa sounds exciting. Most Santas are outdoors this year and I bet they will make it magical in the woods.

Not much to report here. We put our decorations up and after tea we all went out in the car for a local drive to see the Christmas decorations outside peoples' gardens. We did it last year to pass some time on dark evenings and it's like Blackpool illuminations.

I have been reading the nativity story to the boys. Also got some nativity stickers. I said to DS1 what is the angel (Gabriel) called and he said angel Delight . Made me laugh, I've made him my favourite 80's pudding a few times . Can't beat a bit of Angel Delight, strawberry flavour only though.

Angel delight the light safari is a good idea @Chocolatetrifle had forgotten about that one. I think we were just about to do it last year when unnecessary journeys were discouraged and we ditched it in case we saw a policeman! A bit ridiculous looking back!
What are people doing with their trees when they have destructive tiny toddlers on the loose? DS is nearly 16 months, I have beeb putting off decorating the tree because I know he is not going to leave it alone for a minute! DD was a bit older when xmas came around and she was fine but I know what he is like! Any tips gratefully received.

@Lostthetastefordahlias we have a busy window and have a fibre optic one on it, slightly out of reach unless they try to climb up, it's the only way here. We can have a big one when they are older and less likely to climb it or smash it in a rage!

Bay window not a busy window that should say!

I'm a dweller so still playing on my mind. The parents involved have actually been told not to come back and the company owner is going to the next class to address the rest of the parents. I've also been offered a 1-2-1 class if I would prefer it but DS would wonder where everyone else is. I'm going to leave classes for a minute and maybe try again when he's older.

We love driving around looking at everyone's lights, the kids spend the time shouting wow.

Woodland Santa sounds great!
Touch wood we've been okay with previous trees, DS has always understood to leave it alone but I'm not sure what DD is going to be like. Ours is going up on Saturday hopefully.

I thought I had a bedtime win as I went downstairs to get DD a cup of milk and she was silent. I went upstairs and sat on my bed to see how long it would take for her to shout to me. 15 mins later I stick my head around expecting her to be asleep and she's just stood up waiting for me.

Good evening!

@Motherofmonsters sounds like a good weekend planned. And I've definitely been there on the bedtime thing, so pleased DS has calmed down and then he's still wide awake! Hope you managed to get DD to sleep in the end.

@Lostthetastefordahlias we don't have a tree, that's our solution our flat looks very not Christmassy, as our previous flat was smaller and we haven't bought any new decorations! We have a tiny IKEA plastic tree on the top of our bookcase which DS can't reach...

@Chocolatetrifle I haven't had Angel Delight for probably 15 years!! I was one of those that liked the chocolate one though. Shocking, I know. I have fond memories of doing the Christmas light illuminations too, there was a street not far from ours where everyone went all out and it was fab.

I have actually managed to rest a bit today, did some other bits that need doing...still nothing yet but it feels like this baby is almost out already with all the pressure I have down there you all know what I'm on about, I'm sure.

We bought a book advent calendar from one of my friends who is an Usborne rep (or whatever they're called), she shipped it over from the UK and it arrived today. 24 tiny books hidden behind doors. Fantastic concept! Except DS was only interested in opening all the doors and not really interested in any of the books. So now we've opened a lot of the doors, obviously not in order, and he's had great fun. I reckon he'll be around the right age for it next year though and we can reuse it every year which is nice. This is it: www.amazon.co.uk/Advent-Calendar-Book-Collection-Usborne/dp/180131344X?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Hope everyone has a good night!

Morning all how was the night?
I'm at the hairdresser waiting for a cut. I coloured it myself last week. My boys slept on until 7 which is completely unheard of here. dS2 was still up about 3 times in the night though.
I'm thinking we might have another garden centre visit this afternoon. Tomorrow we are due to see Santa outdoors. I have a feeling though that the boys won't like him though. We will see.

How is everyone feeling today?

You're all forgetting the best angel delight flavour...... butterscotch!!

@Motherofmonsters I'm so sorry you've encountered those nasty parents. Sadly I completely understand, my DS has autism and the amount of comments and looks I've had is so upsetting. My son enjoys running round and won't sit down, there are so many things I don't risk going to anymore because of nasty parents. Sadly the worst has actually been a family party where we ended up leaving early as there were a few family that were moaning that my son should be sat on an iPad not running round, we were outside and he loves being outdoors to run round!

Anyway!! Yes last year I didn't put the tree up, just lights around the living room as didn't want to risk ds pulling tree down. This year the tree is going up next weekend.
The Christmas lights tour in the car sounds a very good idea!!! I think I'll do that and combine it with a car picnic!! 😋

@squishymamma any sign of the baby yet? I hope you're doing ok?

Morning!

Sorry you've had to deal with it as well @pinkdaydreams, it's so upsetting and frustrating. Surely the whole point of being outside is to run around. I also agree butterscotch is the best flavour!

My achievement for the morning is having a shower and leaving then in the same room without them fighting.

Enjoy your haircut @chocolatetrifle. Nice bit of peace for you

Morning!

Sorry you've had to deal with it as well @pinkdaydreams, it's so upsetting and frustrating. Surely the whole point of being outside is to run around. I also agree butterscotch is the best flavour!

My achievement for the morning is having a shower and leaving then in the same room without them fighting.

Enjoy your haircut @chocolatetrifle. Nice bit of peace for you

For those of us who like chocolate orange I have just found this on the shop, chocolate orange Yorkie! I bought 3!

Glad they didn't fight @Motherofmonsters, I can't seem to leave mine alone even to go to the loo at the moment, DS1 keeps trying to poke dS2 in the eye

Morning!

Hope you had a nice relaxing time having your hair cut @Chocolatetrifle. I used to love Yorkies, never tried the orange one. Maybe I should put in an order for when my DM comes to visit

@PinkDaydreams that's crazy that they'd rather have your DS staring mindlessly at a screen than running round and being a child! Do they not have children themselves?

@Motherofmonsters I don't dare leave DS alone yet while I shower, he's pretty good at not doing anything dangerous but he'd probably just complain constantly until I was out

We had a good night, DS slept until around 6.30am which is pretty good, and we didn't hear him wake up at least. Have spent the morning pottering and cleaning, the floors were disgusting so DH and I tag teamed the hoovering and mopping because I don't have the energy to do both DS is down for a nap (theoretically, can hear he's still awake) and I'm trying to motivate myself to get off the couch and into the shower. We're planning to take DS sledding again this afternoon because the weather is getting warmer so the snow will be gone soon! Then I have dinner with friends though I'd rather just stay in and sleep...still no sign of baby but he's still as active as ever, bouncing up and down!

@Chocolatetrifle

For those of us who like chocolate orange I have just found this on the shop, chocolate orange Yorkie! I bought 3!

Glad they didn't fight @Motherofmonsters, I can't seem to leave mine alone even to go to the loo at the moment, DS1 keeps trying to poke dS2 in the eye

Right then, trip to many shops needed for me today until I can track these chocolate orange beauties down!!!!

I got the orange yorkies in Mccolls if you have one nearby.

Had a nice time at the hairdresser, but the rest of the day has been a bit hard work. Somedays I feel like I cannot relax in my own house because the boys just wind each other up so much at the moment that everything seems impossible. DH and I often just take one out each separately to give each some space. It's been tears and squabbles all day. I'm sure they will get on at some point hopefully. I stayed up last night watching the New Sex and the City series; AndJust Like That, so I'm feeling very tired now. Off to bed soon I think.

Night all, sleep well.

I am in the same place with the constant arguing @Chocolatetrifle. Such a literal headache. Mine are a bit younger as well I really wasn't expecting it to start so soon! I wonder if it is partly the excitement of this time of year unsettling them. Several people have recommended the Janet Landsbury siblings without rivalry book but I doubt I will have time to read it until the new year!!
Thanks for the info about your trees everyone! Think we are going to have ours in the hall which is babygated off but visible from the living room.

We've been up since half 5 today.

Going to see Santa later. How did you get on at Santa @Lostthetastefordahlias.

Got play doh out with Christmas cookie cutters at the moment.

Hope everyone is ok?

@Lostthetastefordahlias thank you for the book recommendation. I will look into that. I e not really looked at my Calmer, Happier Boys book yet! Mine started young with it too. Oh well, hopefully one day they will get on for most of the day!

Morning!

Sorry to hear it was an early start @Chocolatetrifle hope you have fun seeing Santa!

We have a quiet day planned, it's snowing again so we will go out for a bit before DS has his nap. DH wants to watch the last F1 race so he'll do that while I do a bit of baking for DS' packed lunches. We had our obligatory Sunday Disney film this morning then have just been playing with various toys. I'm knackered already though

Hope everyone has a good day!

Santa went surprisingly well! No tears today there. I thought dS2 would be a bit scared but he was fine.

How are you feeling @squishymamma? You must be exhausted. Any more signs of baby yet?

Evening!

Glad to hear you had a good time @Chocolatetrifle.

I am indeed exhausted, still nothing yet and DS had one of those days today where he just whined constantly and nothing was right. Meltdown because I took his toy and put it on the table so he could climb onto his chair to sit at the same table, for example. DH and I are both knackered after the day we've had! At times like these I am genuinely amazed by SAHMs, I live for the peace that nursery brings and know that we are very lucky to be able to send him there, and for him to love it as much as he does.

So yeah, a bit of shouty mummy today, but I'm using my pregnancy discomfort as an excuse

Hope everyone else had a better day!

Ah it's so frustrating when they have days like that @squishymama. I thought I had dodged the mega tantrums with DD but she's getting into the swing of them now.

We've had a good day, we went on the Santa steam train today and the kids loved it. DD was only slightly scared of Santa to so thats progress. We then went back to PILs for stew and mince pies. DH then suggested the kids at their house while we do a quick bit of Christmas shopping so that was nice.

I've just finished writing out DS's Christmas cards for his school class. Who knew that was a thing. I ended up doing them myself as it took forever to get him to write 5 before he got fed up. At least I can say I've seen him write his name now.