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...

Morning,
The app won't let me post at all, it's very frustrating.
We had a lazy day yesterday, DS had far to much screen time and I'm paying for it today. He didn't go sleep until nearly 11 as well! He's got school tomorrow so hopefully he goes sleep a better time today.

We're off to the beach with PIL and then back to theirs for tea later. The sun isn't showing any signs of coming out so we'll be wrapped up.

Hope your both having a good morning

Good morning,

DH has taken the boys out this morning with his mum so I've had a peaceful 2 hours where I've done a bit of work and cleaned! Bliss! I very rarely have time by myself so the silence is brilliant. Oh, they are back now! Ha, I'll be back later to type more.

Morning both!

@Motherofmonsters have a lovely time at the beach. We managed barely any TV yesterday and DS1 still took forever to go to sleep, I notice too that it's worse with more screen time.

@Chocolatetrifle it's so nice when you get some space to yourself isn't it? I'm secretly planning a walk/run later today just for some peace.

We had a good day yesterday, DS1 was in a great mood and was playing with his toys all day. Slept rubbish last night and had a tantrum because I told him to stop touching the top of my glass with his yoghurt covered hands. 😑The speed with which he changes moods is insane, and exhausting! Looking forward to nursery tomorrow.

Good morning, Monday again!

Yesterday we went to a museum in the afternoon which was a lovely change. Boys have been quite well behaved this weekend and i think that's because we've been out a bit.

Made up for lost sleep by completely crashing at about 8.30 last night.

Today I think I will take dS2 to a toddler group this morning and perhaps one too this afternoon which DS1 can come to also, will see later. I might look at getting a couple of more orchard games as boys enjoyed the ever popular shopping list game yesterday. Feeling quite positive today, amazing what good behaviour and sleep does. No doubt the day won't go as planned or something.

How are you Motherofmonsters and Squishymama?

So both toddler groups were not on when I went!

Oh no @chocolatetrifle, how annoying is that. We're they meant to be on?

I've had a good day here, DS and DD were at school/nursery so I've had a big tidy and clean downstairs. DS enjoyed his 1st day back so that was good.

I'm just having a cup of tea before we go get DD, I really hope they haven't let he sleep for a long time.

It was my fault for not checking properly, I think they must still be classing this week as Easter break. We ended up at playgrounds instead which turned out fine.

Hope everyone's DC have settled asleep and you have a good night.

Hello!

@Chocolatetrifle what a pain, at least you still had a good day.

@Motherofmonsters I love my DC but I also cherish that alone time, glad you had a nice day!

DH ended up in DS1's room again last night so I've bought a foldaway bed...here in Norway there's a tradition for those in the last year of college to dress in red boiler suits and go round in pimped up buses blasting music at this time of year. At all hours of the night, so loud the walls vibrate 🙄 I think that's why DS1 keeps waking up so much at night.

In any case I had to wake him up for nursery but he had a good day, I got quite a bit done, and we had a nice play outside at the playground. Crossing fingers for a good sleep tonight!

Hope everyone has a good night.

Evening, hope everyone is well.

Not much to report from here, DS1 slept pretty well last night thank God and has been at nursery today. It struck me today when we were playing that one day I won't be his favourite playmate, and even though I find a lot of his games inanely boring, it is a bit sad. Guess that means I had a decent day and he didn't wind me up too much 😂

Hope everyone has had a good day!

@squishymamma , ahhhhh, you will always be number one playmate I think, well for a long time yet, if the mummy , mummy, mummy requests have anything to go by here anyway!

Well, I took the boys to an indoor soft playcentre this afternoon thinking I was doing them a favour but it was a disaster. Ds1 went into a full on strop because dS2 wouldn't go down the big bit twisty slide with him. I was knee deep in soft play balls trying to negotiate with them and I just thought, hang on, I'm supposed to be sitting down having a coffee! So we left after a bit. One of those whingy tired days really.

Hope everyone gets a decent sleep tonight.

Hope everyone has had a good day.

We've been busy here, shopping delivery, Ddog got in a fight with a dog through our fence. Both dogs were fine as they didn't get to each other, they've properly got beef with each other though, the woman's dog jumped out of her car and ran over to our house! My mum then called to pick her up from the car garage, had a cup of tea at mine and then off to a playgroup to then get DS from school. I am definitely ready for bed.

Morning,

Not sure what was wrong with DS this morning but had a very embarrassing school run where he kept charging at and trying to hurt DD, rolling on the floor, dragging me away. The other parents must have thought oh there goes the feral child again.

Hope your mornings are going better

Morning!

@Motherofmonsters I'd have just thought "oh thank god its not just my children" 😂so frustrating when they're like that though. Glad your DDog is okay and didn't get hurt.

I made DH take DS1 to nursery today, he's been so clingy and whiny with me, not wanting me to leave, so I wanted to see if it made a difference. Apparently he skipped in happily 😑typical eh? DH reckons it's because I'm his favourite and he'd rather be with me which is both cute and very frustrating!

Hope everyone has a good day

I feel like glugging a load of wine today. My DS's have recently started this ridiculous behaviour where it's see who can shout mummy mummy mummy mummy mummy the loudest, especially when I'm driving. It's so annoying. dS2 had a breakdown in Aldi this morning, refused to sit in the trolley but refused to walk so had to sort of hold him whilst trying to push the trolley. Had a terrible night last night, not much sleep, my hair is greasy and needs dying and I generally just need to look after myself more.

And breathe .. pass me the glass!

How are you both now?

Oh no @Chocolatetrifle I know that feeling. I've been rubbish today, not done half the things I meant to even though DS1 has been at nursery all day and DS2 has had some decent naps. Couldn't really find the energy.

Well it seems DS1 has decided to treat DH and I differently as nothing I say gets listened to but at the same time he demands I play with him 24/7. We spent a good hour outside after nursery kicking a ball around and playing in the playground while waiting for tea but I had to carry him home kicking and screaming. Keep trying to distract when that happens - "do you want to find the digger and the dumper at home?" - with limited effect.

Sometimes toddler years are such a slog!!

Evening,

how are you both?

I hope you've had a better day today.

They've been at school/nursery today, I'm totally fed up of spending my free time cleaning the same sections downstairs for it to get messy 2mins later that I spent the time in the garden. At least then it stays the same for at least a couple weeks.
DD had a late nap at the nursery again so I'll be doing bedtime until my bedtime.

Since these threads started I've now more or less acquired a second toddler (DD is 13 months, and walking, climbing and generally causing chaos) so going to try again at joining you all. Had some nice moments with DD and DS (4) today in the sandpit and a genuinely lovely trip to shop and park with DS, who is currently very friendly with everyone, reasonable-ish when not hungry and generally pretty good company 1 on 1. On the downside definitely too much tv, cross 4 year old wanting all my attention when I was trying to do things with DD and 1 year old climbing on DS's kitchen stool at every opportunity. Plus DD has chicken pox and nights have been varied from a couple of wake ups to going in nearly 20 times between us, hopefully now she's getting to non-contagious stage it won't be too bad.

@motherofmonsters hope bedtime is better than you're expecting. And sympathy with tidying, sure I spend all day tidying/cleaning the kitchen - never lasts very long.

@squishymamma that happens so often. I'm also terrible in the evenings, during the day plan to do so much and end up half watching TV, on mn and grazing. And I remember DS treating us differently, it's hard when you and your partner have different experiences and they're not sharing some of the particularly tough bits. Sending wine and chocolate.

@Chocolatetrifle that sounds really tough, hope tonight is better. Any chance of getting some time to yourself this weekend?

Welcome back @prettygirlincrimson road. Unfortunately bedtime is going worse than expected, nearly got DD to sleep about an hour ago but DS barged in and now she's still awake and he's awake downstairs...

I'm glad you've had some nice moments today, it's lovely when it goes nicely. Sorry she's got chicken pox, hopefully they will clear up soon. Has your DS already had it?

Evening everyone and welcome back @prettygirlincrimsonrose 😀. Oh no , how awful your DD has the pox, how is she getting on with it? What day are you on?

Motherofmonsters sending you some bedtime supply, that's a nightmare. Are they both settled now?

How are you today Squishy?

Not much to report from me today. It's felt like a really long day. This afternoon it was quite nice weather so just had all the garden stuff out. After playing outside I just put on YouTube I'm ashamed to say. But , it makes them happy and keeps them quiet for a short time.

Tomorrow we are going to an indoor trampoline park.
Sleep well now.

@Motherofmonsters oh that's so frustrating! I have to leave DS sometimes while putting DD down and when he starts shouting and distracting her from feeding it drives me mad

DS had chicken pox over Easter and had a couple of days looking very sorry for himself and lying on the sofa and then perked up. So at least it'll be over and done with once DDs better.

Evening all, nice to see you again @prettygirlincrimsonrose! Sorry to hear you're in the midst of chickenpox, we haven't had it yet as DS1 was off with a cold when some of the kids in nursery got it...I'd rather them get it while they're still little though! Hope she sleeps better for you tonight.

Ugh @Motherofmonsters hope they go to sleep for you soon. I told DH today I'm going to make us become minimalists because I'm fed up of cleaning and washing, I saw the bottom of the washing basket for approx half an hour this week before DH filled it with a ton of shirts I will have to iron 😑

@Chocolatetrifle don't feel bad about Youtube, we use TV pretty much every single day for at least half an hour (often much longer). Trampoline Park sounds fun!

I am...okay? 😂Survived to bedtime at least. Its actually not been a bad day, just a really long one where DS1 was very particular about everything and DS2 had what I think was trapped wind almost all day so he was not super happy. We had a tantrum at breakfast because I dared to mix together DS1's oats and yoghurt instead of letting him do it himself, and he won't let me do anything - just wants me to play with him. He grabs my hand and holds it so I won't run away 😂

Hope everyone has a good sleep. The party buses have started here again so I'm very unsure as to how much sleep we'll get...

Evening everyone, how is everyone?

We went to the indoor trampoline place which went down well as it had arcade games but it was not cheap! Currently boys are playing with water pistols in the garden. I've dyed my hair so feeling a bit happier that I don't look completely washed out. dS2 was up in the night shouting 'dice' and wouldn't quieten down until I brought him downstairs and we found the dice from an orchard game. Ds1 was then trying to get up at 5.30 to go to the trampoline park. Needless to say, I've got s glass of vino grigio and looking forward to bedtime. DH is supposed to be taking the boys out in the morning with his mum so I can tackle some work. We are supposed to be going swimming tomorrow afternoon, this will depend upon whether DS2 will agree to put on his costume and take off his socks, so who knows!

Ps Squishymama, those party buses sound awful!

Good morning!

Glad you had a good time at the park @Chocolatetrifle, hope you can get some work done today. Always nice when you do something for yourself, I want to give my hair a decent wash and dry but usually it's a quick shower and up in a bun!

All well here, though DS1 is driving me mad with his clinginess at the moment. I'm the one who has to do everything, I ask him to go ask DH and he just says "no." 😑

Had a long day yesterday with an overtired DS1 so having a bit of a quieter day today, though we will go and barbecue with some friends later. Hope everyone has a good day!

Morning!

The trampoline park sounds great @chocolatetrifle. Is your DH still taking the boys out this morning?

I was a big girl yesterday and took them both to the park myself. In the evening we had my SIL wedding party, she got married last year in restrictions so this was her evening do with everyone. We had a lovely time, I decided to drink for a change. Slightly regretting it this morning though..