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...

@BEE08 that sounds like a nice day for your DS, especially the fruit picking. That sounds like a lovely activity.

We've had an ok afternoon, got the paddling pool out for a bit. Boys have been tormenting each other all afternoon, then messed around at tea and then bath so I've ended up shouting, and the day started so well!

Sleep well.

@BEE08 sounds like a lovely day for your DS!

Hope the teacher visit went well @Chocolatetrifle. Crazy that they grow up so fast.

We had a total mess of an evening, me being all optimistic thought "let's get out the paddling pool and have a BBQ". DS1 was not interested in the pool at all except to spray water into it from the garden hose but cried when he got sprayed (with cold water) himself. DH set the barbecue off and went to sit down and about 15 minutes later I wander over to it and it's gone out, so tea was late. Then DS1 managed in impressive succession to get stung by nettles, get some hot ashes blown onto him by the wind (luckily he was fine) and then fell off the changing table 🤯 I managed to slow his landing but didn't get a good grip on him to stop him falling. He loves doing acrobatics on there so it's about time! So then he was placed in front of the TV until we were ready to eat...

Still haven't properly spoken to DH as 2 of the 3 things were on his watch though he's adamant DS1 got stung before I'd gone in to sort a salad...it was more his attitude!

Anyway we had a nice bed and bath time and now I've had a nice shower and am going to have 20 minutes of peace before bed. Its been roasting today and the forecast looks similar tomorrow, so maybe we'll try the pool once more...

Sleep well everyone!

Morning, oh Squishy that sounds like one unfortunate event after another! Hope today is calmer for you.

Short fuse mum has been appearing here the last couple of days because boys seem to keep going for each other! Arrrrgggghh.

I've been to a playground this morning with ds2 and got talking to a lovely mum and we've arranged to meet at a toddler group on Monday so that's lovely.

DS1 is having his preschool photo this morning so went in looking lovely and smart bless him. I do love them really!!

Think it's going to pour down this afternoon, not sure what to do then it's off to body combat class for me, very nervous!

Hope everyone is ok.

Good luck at your class @Chocolatetrifle !! Well done for going.
Hope you have had a calmer day @squishymamma ! Its so tricky when you’re trying to do something nice, I find when I try that 75% of the time its a disaster and its back to the boring routine.
I have had a very trying day, DD so tired and whingey after birthday stuff, DS absolutely screamed in the hairdressers, cried inconsolably for an hour once we had got home. I am sure the heat makes me more irritable with them as well. Tomorrow is another day right!

How is everyone's weekend going?
I went to the exercise class and survived, really enjoyed it so booked for next week. Glad to be back to it and I don't know why I've made excuses for so long! ( I do, it's because I'm lazy).

Boys got up at 5 .35 today which is just far too early. Ds1 went for a trial and has now started swimming lessons so that was this morning and I took dS2 to the playground. This afternoon we went to a little fair which was nice, dS2 loved a bungee trampoline thing they had and dS2 got into going on the bouncy castle, as he's never been too keen before.

Hope everyone is ok.

I’m glad you had a good day @Chocolatetrifle, I took DS to a local fete today and he went on the bouncy castle, won a ball and enjoyed an ice cream. He woke up at just gone 6am, which was a shock to the system as he normally gets up around 7:30am these days.

Has any one with children around age 3 gone though or going through a sleep regression in regards to going to bed. DS seems to the last few days become upset at going to bed, very hysterical and takes a long time to settle. He has been really good the last 6/7 months so does seem to come out of nowhere.

Evening,

Does anyone have days that sound great on paper but actually were a struggle. Definitely me today, FIL took DS to rugbytots and then out and about for a couple hours this morning. Me and DD had some quiet time and then in the afternoon we went for a walk around a local fishing village and harbour. Had an ice cream and then played in the park. sounds lovely apart from the kids fought over their grandad, DS refused to walk properly on the busy narrow streets which resulted in arguments and DS shouting that I was breaking all the bones in his hands... FIL went to get icecreams but was attacked by seagulls so only 2 1/2 survived instead of 4. DS then fell over in the park running down a bit of equipment, literally spun in the air and landed on his forehead. DD fell asleep in the car on the way home and then was an absolute demon as she was tired but would she go to sleep no she would not! On the upside DH brought me loads of chocolate.

I'm glad you enjoyed your exercise class @chocolatetrifle! Your trip to fair sounds lovely

Sounds like you've had a lovely day at the fete to @BBEE08. My DS's sleep went a bit funny around 3, he definitely stopped going to sleep at 7.30. i think they're more aware and thinking about things.

I definitely know what you mean @Motherofmonsters , I think its because unless the stars align and everyone is good & helpful, just dealing with multiple children can be so exhausting can’t it! Hopefully they at least will have enjoyed themselves, and you have recovered!
The fetes/ fairs sound so nice.
We have DD’s birthday party at her gym this afternoon, excitement levels are high, DS had gone for his nap super early so I am having a coffee before the organising begins!! She only has around 8 children coming, so hopefully it won’t be too overwhelming!
Has she got a nightlight @BEE08 ? Around 3 was when my DD became very attached to having a white noise machine on & a nightlight, I think it was a way of reassuring herself she was safe?

Evening! Lots to catch up on I see :)

Glad you enjoyed your exercise class @Chocolatetrifle, the endorphins are good afterwards but it's so hard to start! Hope you were allowed a bit more of a lie in today.

@BEE08 my DS1 isn't even 2 and a half yet and I know what you mean...he's not been going to sleep until 9pm nowadays so DH and I haven't really spent quality time together in weeks as I am one of these sad people who go to bed at like 10pm. We've been letting him have toys in his cot (cars mainly) and sit with him and he plays until he falls asleep. Very time consuming for us but too tired to do anything about it. Plus DS2 is also craving loads of attention atm at night so we just have 1 in each bedroom and have accepted it as how life is right now!

@Motherofmonsters I know what you mean, we also seem to fool people that we know what we're doing - were at church the other week and a random woman comes up and compliments us on how great a family we are and how cute and well behaved our DC are...she obviously doesn't notice that we bribe DS1 to be quiet with raisins and screen time...Also I would say seagulls are becoming bloody cheeky now, my friend was telling me they were sat somewhere having food and there were some girls next to them - a seagull landed on one of their HEADS and stole her sandwich! I'd be terrified if that happened to me.

@Lostthetastefordahlias hope DD's party went well and you didn't get too overwhelmed!

We are really lucky to live very close to a lake here that has a beach and is perfect for paddling, so yesterday we took DC there and had a barbecue. DS1 spent most of his time with me in the water, refusing to get out despite shivering like crazy (it had been 27 degrees but obviously had gotten cooler in the evening). I also had to remove a poo from the water with a random spade I found 🤢 really not sure if it was DS1's or not but couldn't just leave it floating there...

Last 3 days of nursery before the long summer holidays begin, I'm slightly dreading it because I have no idea what to do so will need lots of ideas from you all!

Have a good night all.

Oh! removing the random poo from the lake! I think that has to be the funniest thing I've read in ages Squishy 🤣. It made me chuckle 🤣.

Motherofmonsters, my boys fight over grandad too. We were in Decathlon today looking at bikes for ds1 and he found a pound on the floor. I let him keep it (is that bad? I didn't even see if anyone had dropped it, ooops). Anyway, there was an ice-cream van outside, so we got ds1 a calypo and ds2 wanted a whippy with rainbow sprinkles on. I said to dS2, don't trip or you will drop it, two seconds later what did he do ? Yes, trip and drop it. He hadn't even taken a lick. Couldn't apply 3 second rule as he dropped it on the road plus others were watching. How dear are ice-cream vans, it was £4 for those 2!

BEE08, hmmm I can't remember a sleep regression at 3 with ds1, but that could just be because I have wiped so much from my memory of that time due to awful lockdown! dS2 is not 3 til December so will be hoping he doesn't!

Lostthetastefordhalias, hope the party went well.

Sleep well 💤.

How is everyones week going?

I've just had to pick DS up from school as he woke up at 3am and didn't go back to sleep. He's been totally unregulated and they couldn't bring him down. He's a manic at home so I can imagine how unmanageable he was at school.

Motherofmonsters oh no, poor you and Ds. What will you do? Will you give him a nap or just see if quiet time will calm him down?

I'm sat in a walk in centre, have awful earache, on the plus I am by myself and sitting down so a chance for peace!!

He is currently asleep on the sofa, I let him have some TV and a load of ice lollies just to get his body to stop moving. I'm not sure if he will go to sleep properly tonight if he's had a sleep now but there's no way he would make it to bedtime without it.

Oh no that sounds horrible, hopefully you will see someone soon. Enjoy the sitting down though

How is DS now Motherofmonsters?
I had a 3 hour wait but worth it as got antibiotics for the ear infection.

Hope everyone is ok.

Hope you and DS are ok @Motherofmonsters , and fingers crossed he does get some sleep tonight.
DDS party went well thanks for asking! Everyone joined in and the gym lady running the games etc was really good. And no clearing up at home!
hope the antibiotics work asap @Chocolatetrifle
still sitting in DDs room tonight, she has not been able to go to sleep as she is worried that her feet smell (?!)

Evening all. Sorry to hear you have an ear infection @Chocolatetrifle, hope it clears up soon. Hope DS goes to sleep for you @Motherofmonsters, sounds like an intense day. Glad DD had a good time @Lostthetastefordahlias.

Im knackered. We've had window fitters in Monday and yesterday changing windows, it meant we were confined to our living room and obviously it was thunderstorm weather both days. Massive layer of dust over everything so I've done nothing but clean today. DS1 won't go to sleep until late so he's getting more and more tired, yesterday we had to go late to IKEA to get blinds and that was a good test of my marriage 😂

Got so annoyed at DS2's consistent whining today (he's now 6 months) that I lost it and did a lot of shouting in his face and angry rocking him to sleep (which obviously meant it took longer for him to sleep). Lots of swearing too. Fortunately was just us in the house but not sure what the neighbours think! Now sat writing this lying next to him as he will only sleep in our bed atm, he keeps kicking me...

One day left until summer holidays for us, cannot wait (though wondering how much patience I will have left by the end!)

Hope everyone has a good night. Thanks for listening to my rant, it helped 😂 now I'm going to get an early ish night and tomorrow is a new day!

Evening everyone, I've not posted since wed as I've not been up to much due to this ear infection, bar getting through the day and getting to bed. My parents have had to take my boys out in the afternoon so I can lie down!

Squishy, how are you feeling today? Hope you are feeling better after some sleep. I've shouted too today, I always instantly regret it. I need to count to ten and be calm more....

How's everyones' weekend going?

We had a decent day yesterday but then ds1 was sick a few times when he went to bed so that means he is off preschool tomorrow. Luckily he seems a bit brighter today and he's not been sick anymore so far. We went to his new school fair yesterday afternoon, it was lovely, funny how these sickness bugs just seem to appear from nowhere then.

Hope everyone is ok!

Hello, sorry I've been a bit quiet! Last week before summer holidays and all that...

Sorry to hear DS1 hasn't been well @Chocolatetrifle, glad to hear he's feeling better today.

We are at PIL's cabin, got here on Friday. DH spent most of Friday before we left at A&E because he got stung by a bumblebee on Wednesday and it just got worse and worse...turns out he got an infection so he's now on antibiotics. DS1 has been really tired and slept loads the past 2 days, no idea if he's getting sick or not but MIL is on night duty so that's great 😁 though I still have DS2 to deal with, turns out tooth number 2 was on its way so he's been a lot happier now that's erupted.

We'll be here all week, just lazing round and going for little hikes. DS1 absolutely loves the child carrier we have so he can sit on our back and point at everything. He's really coming on with his language too and loves singing which is very cute. I just have the headache of trying to entertain both DC with barely any toys, which is exhausting - and obviously DH just does whatever he wants to do...

Hope everyone has a good night!

Hi all, I hope your DS feels better soon @Chocolatetrifle and I like the sound of the back carrier @squishymamma

I’ve been rather busy at work this week so been a bit quieter on here and DS has struggled a little bit to adapt to his cot bed without sides, though has sleep a lot better the last few nights.

We went to the park today and DS spent most of the afternoon playing with his train set, making his own track up with minimal help, which was lovely to see his imagination.

Hello and happy new week!! How is your earache now @Chocolatetrifle ? It can be so hard to shake things off amid the general exhaustion of parenting little ones cant it!!

That sounds fun with the train track @BEE08 , glad if DS is getting used to his new sleeping situation.
Hope you manage to relax a bit on your holiday @squishymamma ! This stage is so challenging I found!! I really struggledZ Its the stage where sleep deprivation at night and having to do more with both of them in the day overlap! Keep/wash any empty food packaging is my tip for toys on holiday, for some reason mine both love it?!
We had a good but exhausting weekend swimming Saturday and out with friends with kids yesterday. We are off on holidays to the New Forest on Wednesday, can’t wait!!

Hello!

Sorry I've been quiet we've been away for a friend's wedding. His wife is Indian so we had a Catholic wedding on Friday and a Hindu wedding yesterday. It was a really interesting experience. The kids stayed at nannies and grandad which was all good.

DS had a day with his new teacher today and she told MIL he had struggled and cried for me which is understandable as I wasn't back yet. Bit too much for him, I didn't realise they were doing it until Sunday Eve.

I've just got DD to sleep, nursery have stopped putting her down for naps and it's made a massive difference for her bedtime. Now to get DS in bed and then me!!

How's the ear and sickness @Chocolatetrifle you seem to be getting things in pairs.

Hope the holiday is going well @squishymamma it sounds like it's had an eventful start!

How exciting your going away @Lostthetastefordahlias. How long are you going for?

It's lovely to watch them use their imagination when playing @BEE08 extra nice when they do it by themselves!

Evening everyone
I can't type a long message because Ive got the flipping runs and vomiting bug passed from ds1 to dS2 today and now me this afternoon. Honestly it's one thing on top of another again, it's do hard looking after sick kids when you are ßick. Dh tries to help but sort of still.needs me to tell.him.what to do, which means . shouting instructions from the toilet, no peace at all

Night all, I'll be back tomorrow to read what everyone has been up to x

Oh no @Chocolatetrifle that sounds awful. I hope it passes quickly for you