Trapped toddler parents: support through winter and beyond

[squishymamma]

Following on from the previous thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4292353-Trapped-toddler-parents-Inspiration-and-support-needed-through-the-summer-hols

Not the most inventive name but apt I think...

@Motherofmonsters, glad you had such a great time, but sorry you had a poorly tummy. Hope it's better now.

I've been rather flat today and I'm still in pain with my ear and just wanted some peace and quiet to myself but not possible. So I'm in bed with a hot water bottle on my ear. I have antibiotics and painkillers but it's not better yet. Plus the whole getting covid got me down, but on the positive dS2 has tested negative today so hopefully that's it home from our household now.

Preschool routine as usual but DS1 has been crying again when I drop him off, probably because he had the 10 days off with the covid so he needs to get back into it.

Had the pretend food out and got some of that gelli baff stuff in a small inflatable pool on the tuff tray but it's a bit underwhelming, you can't really do much with it!

Hope everyone gets some sleep, tomorrow is a new day .

Just remembered I have some mint chocolate options sachets in so I'm going to have one of those and get tucked up! The simplest things eh? I'm on round two of opening up Easter eggs again. It's so long until Easter. Next year I will just buy them much later ☺️.

DH has bought me some Revels! Hurrah.

@Motherofmonsters glad you had such a good time!

@Chocolatetrifle hot chocolate sounds like a fab idea, and what a hero DH is for buying more chocolate! Hope you feel better soon. I understand what you mean about covid getting you down, I think of it as another annual thing we probably have to go through and that we're done with it until next winter (crossing fingers).

Today DS2 had his vaccines that they get at 3 months here, with DS1 i could have told you exactly what they were but now I'm just like meh whatever he's been a bit unsettled and sad this evening but fell asleep as usual no problem and doesn't really seem to have a fever so haven't given Calpol yet (it's on standby!)

DS1 had a good day at nursery and then we just played and watched some TV tonight. Our newest battle is trying to get him to come sit at the table at the beginning of the meal, he prefers to do his own thing and come when he feels like it. Today was a big tantrum followed by me having to feed him with a spoon while he was sat on my knee. But DS2 took a lot of attention today so I think maybe that had something to do with it. Oh well, many more battles in our future I'm sure

Working on my anxiety tonight by reminding myself that it doesn't help getting anxious about things we can't predict/control and that we'll find a way through them. So much bad stuff going on in the world at the moment, anxiety comes so easily!

Hope everyone has a good night

@squishymamma, how is dS2 after his jabs?

My ds1 will sit and eat a meal at the table most of the time but with ds2 he is at the stage where I have to follow him around with the plate and feed him on the go as he doesn't want to sit down.

DS2's LFT was positive today when it was negative yesterday so will test again tomorrow, just want the two negatives so we can mix with family again.

Ds1 was crying again at preschool at drop off, apparently some of them who had covid have been like that. It meant I couldn't relax all morning until I collected him.

That sounds like a good approach with the anxiety squishymama, good for you.

Hope everyone ok today.

Question of the day from ds1; when I was born, did I come out of your mouth?.

How is everyone? dS2 testing negative today, hurray. We've had usual preschool for ds1 this morning and dS2 and I just did some drawing and puzzles etc. Have been to the farm shop this afternoon.

How is everyone feeling today? So with the hour change, boys are actually sleeping until almost 7 here which is great. dS2 still wakes up in the night. I think him weeing is waking him up.

Feeling really crappy here. With looking at DS's difficulties I've realised I get really overstimulated easily with being climbed on, things being close to my face and shouting while running around. All of these things DS has been doing continuously since school and I kind of just snapped. I shouted at DS and tried to put him in a time out which was pointless. I tried to go upstairs away from him but he followed me banging and crashing letting the dog into the front room so DD started screaming.. Ended up putting him in his room and holding the door handle shut to try and calm myself for 2 minutes.

Glad you're all negative finally @chocolatetrifle, must have felt never ending. Great they're sleeping until 7 to! Sounds like you've had a nice day. Did you get anything nice in the farm shop?

I bought DD some Hey Duggee sticker books and they are really good. I really recommend for 2+

@Motherofmonsters don't worry at all. We are not saints and can only put up with so much some days. Totally understand what you say. I don't like being climbed on, hair pulled etc and I bet not many can tolerate it so much. Deep breath, get a cuppa and forget about it, tomorrow is a new day.

Boys went around the farm shop with the mini trolleys so they put in some fruit and veg of their choice and they really enjoyed it so I will take that as a successful day, better than me crying with earache in front of them the other day. Every day is different and some are definitely easier than others. Hopefully you will have a better day tomorrow Motherofmonsters.

Hope everyone gets some sleep tonight.

Evening all

I've also had a rubbish day today @Motherofmonsters so totally understand you! Agree with what @Chocolatetrifle said, we can't be perfect all the time and sometimes we just need to take a moment for ourselves to regulate our feelings before coming back to the chaos.

Today I left DS2 (safely) on our bed while I went to the toilet and made some lunch because he just screamed every time I tried to put him down - he's going through a development leap and so he's really unsettled and grouchy. Sleeping like an angel next to me in his crib now though obviously...

DS1 has now gone into the selective hearing phase where he blanks you if you're saying something he doesn't want to hear, it's incredibly annoying. But we had a nice time for a while tonight playing together and making silly faces at each other so it's swings and roundabouts I guess.

Bought an Easter activity pack today with stickers and pop out cardboard animal things, excited to see what DS1 thinks of it.

Sounds like a successful day for you @Chocolatetrifle, hope your ear feels better.

Hope everyone has a good sleep!

Morning, how is everyone today?

Must say I'm struggling a bit with patience today for everyone - have been very short with both DC and DH. We're all just in an icky mood at the moment.

Also not sure what to do for Easter, we're supposed to be going to PILs cabin with them Thurs-Sun but it costs a fortune to get there and after some big expenses we're pretty much skint. DH is adamant we can manage and we probably can, I'm not sure if I'm using it as an excuse because I'm a bit fed up of PIL at the moment having seen them a bit often recently, they're lovely but very opinionated (as are we, I'm not innocent!) so finding that a bit exhausting. But if we cancel they'll know its me behind it. Stuck a bit between a rock and a hard place...

Anyway, off to a meeting for mums that want support with carrying their kids in wraps/carrying systems etc so hopefully that will brighten my grumpy mood up

Happy Friday, hope everyone has a good day!

@squishymamma, Thurs to Sun is a long time to be with pil as lovely as they may be, sometimes it's nice to just stay at home and 'just be'. If that is what you are craving at the moment, then hopefully your DH will understand and agree this time to give it a miss. Start a new Easter tradition just you four. Are you feeling any better now after your mum meet up?

@Motherofmonsters, how are you lovely, have you had a better day today?

I don't have much to report. I'm ashamed to say that DS1 appears to have become addicted to watching YouTube. I let him watch it a lot when we all had covid and I felt dreadful. However, I think it's been making him aggressive and when he had a full on tantrum because I wouldn't let him watch his 'friends' on the TV, then I think I need to take action and say it's not anymore and encourage him to do more stuff rather than initially just request the Tele on. Bad mum award goes to me!

It did help thanks @Chocolatetrifle. Maybe I'll talk to DH about Easter tomorrow. Could be that staying in the city is actually fun...

DS1 is exactly the same with YouTube, we use YouTube Kids and he turns into a zombie while watching then has a massive tantrum when we take it away from him (it's on the tablet). So I rarely let him use it any more. He's been asking for a lot of TV lately, I should also probably be stricter about it but (sounds terrible) I just can't be bothered! He spends over half the day outside usually anyway and does also play with his toys so I think what's the harm maybe just cut down slowly, like an episode or two a time? Or set a timer?

Morning!

Yesterday was much better thank you @chocolatetrifle, probably because DD was at nursery so much less parenting required. I took my mum out for a belated mother's day lunch as I was away on the day. DS finally went back to therapy yesterday so hopefully we can get back on track.

They have been crying for about 20mins over biscuits so that's fun. DS had two, one crumbled a little bit so he purposely broke them and wanted new ones.. which wasn't happening.

Mine watch too much YouTube as well. I keep saying I'll let them have less but it's yet to happen.

Definitely have a chat with your DH @squishymamma. I'm glad you're feeling better after your meet up. Definitely can relate to not having much patience for everyone

Well it's been a bit of a mare of a day so far. Ds1 projectile vomited in the car all over himself and the car seat and the car. Got him home and he fell straight asleep and then I git sick twice . Bluegh. I'm thinking it's Noro or a 24 hour thing. Another weekend of sickness!

How is everyone today? Glad you feel a bit better today @Motherofmonsters. Sometimes we just need a bit of space really. Hope you are ok too @squishymamma.

Oh no @chocolatetrifle, that doesn't sound pleasant at all. I really hope it doesn't hang around for you!

How are you all today @chocolatetrifle?

Slow morning here, we've been watching Ryan's world and doing activity books

@Motherofmonsters, snap, we have Ryan's world on now.

Well last night was strange in that dS2 was up for about 3 hours, he was singing and thrashing around and just couldn't settle. Low point was when I swore at him at about 3am and gave him to DH who tried for 5 minutes to settle him then brought him back. Luckily he did go off then about half 3. He was singing Zip er de do dar or whatever it is from the Time box. Dressed and downstairs but still off.

What is everyone up to?

Oh and another low point number 2 was when I vomitted so hard I actually weed myself, sorry tmi.

*Tonie

@Chocolatetrifle oh no sorry to hear about the tummy bug, also tmi but I have had stuff coming out both ends simultaneously before which was horrendous. Hope the worst is over for you all and DS2 doesn't get it. I swear at DS2 all the time, I know I shouldn't but its an easy way to blow off the steam - I have managed to stop (for the most part) swearing at DS1 who would probably start repeating it...

We're still going to the cabin. Talked to DH and he kind of understands but doesn't want to upset PIL I guess. I've decided I'm going to take my work and use it as a working retreat, letting the others take care of DC. I need a bit of a break anyway

DS1 had a playdate yesterday which included a 20 minute tantrum because his friend had the toy he wanted. The second his friend left it unattended he was in there like a shot and suddenly very happy then we went for a walk to the shops. Not very thrilling. Planning another walk today and some gardening.

Hope the sun is out for you all, it's lovely weather here

@squishymamma hopefully you will get a bit of a break if you go and you can get help with the DC. It's a nice day here too, stuck inside again though really. I'm hoping we can all get right for the Easter break now so we can get out and about again...me and dS1 have been sick again, I'm definitely think Noro as we've had temperatures. I even did another covid lft but didn't think you could get covid twice in 3 weeks, and it was negative. Roll on bedtime!

Sorry you're still sick @chocolatetrifle, hopefully this will be the last of it for you.

A change of scenery might be good @squishymamma, especially if they can amuse the kids for you

We've had a lovely couple of hours at the beach this afternoon. It's sunny but there is still a chill in the air. I think DS would have stayed there all day but DD stated it was chilly and started walking back to the car. She didn't even look to see if we were following her.
We've had the old favourite kinetic sand out today. It's been a while since they've had it but it's still loved.

Morning, well dS2 has the bug now, lady night I was catching sick from them both at bedtime ds1 is off now obviously and I've got the runs. dS2 has just fallen asleep on the couch and I gave YouTube on obviously. Days like this make me just want to cry.

What's everyone up to today?

Oh no sorry to hear that @Chocolatetrifle. Hope it doesn't last much longer.

Glad to hear you had fun at the beach @Motherofmonsters!

DS1 is off sick too, not a tummy bug but a fever and a cold. Barely slept last night because I was worrying about it but he's actually in pretty good form at the moment, bit reduced but still happy, eating and playing. So that's good at least. Lots of Cheerios and Youtube Kids here though, just getting through the day. Rubbish weather so we might venture out in the car to pick DH up from work (it's like 10 minutes away but anything for a little time out!) but otherwise nothing thrilling happening here.