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 that's annoying when you have paid, but glad it went smoothly for you and Ds enjoyed it.

My DS1 also wants a nerf gun about the size of a house for his birthday... DH is looking at them to get one! Think it's more for him !!

Hope everyone gets some sleep x

Hello,

Glad you had a good day @Chocolatetrifle and that the soft play went well even though it was hot @Motherofmonsters.

We have had a good day, staying with my parents and they have a lovely large garden with a big paddling pool and lots of shade so DC have been happy. Only issue is that the rooms get so hot...only just managed to get DS1 down now and DH is working on DS2. We're all crammed into 1 room so it's unbearably hot when we're all in there, seriously considering sleeping outside tonight....!

Supposed to be even hotter here tomorrow so mentally gearing myself up for that. Looking forward to Wednesday!

Hope everyone has a good sleep.

OMG went to DS schools fate after school, started off okay as we got there first but OMG people everywhere. Loads of queues, DS went loopy either running off or holding on to my hand and falling on to the floor. He wanted his face painted but kept rubbing it off and then crying that he didn't look like Spiderman anymore. Basically either spent money on junk or shouting at my children. God know what the other people thought.

Hope everyone is having a good day

@Motherofmonsters oh dear, some outings are just like that aren't they? I'm sure the other parents are used to it!

We've had a lovely time here at DF's house but we're going to DM tomorrow and I'm dreading it. We had a massive argument because DF tested positive for covid yesterday and I told her so she could decide whether she still wanted us to come or not and then refused to leave when she said I should (I know, I promise I am a grown woman!) so she's not speaking to me. We wouldn't go if we didn't have kids 😅 drama drama. We'll be there a week too, pray for us!! In my view we've already been exposed because DF was feeling a bit ropey for a few days before DSM said to maybe test so no point leaving now...

Anyway we went to a farm today and DS1 spent most of his time on the play tractors, living his best life. He's only napped for about 30 minutes so he's currently chattering away to himself in bed clearly overtired. We all slept terribly last night because of the heat so we'll see what happens tonight...

Hope everyone had a good day!

@squishymamma we also went to a farm with play tractors yesterday! Spooky!

Hope the drama calms down for you.

@Motherofmonsters don't worry, we've all been there. Reminds me when we went to the zoo in 2020, thought it would be a good day after lockdown eased a bit , except ds1 spent the whole time whinging and in a grump!

Anyone else nervous for the summer holidays? As in what will I do all day with them? DH is off next week luckily so we will have some days out which helps.

@Chocolatetrifle I know I waved at you 😉

I was also really nervous about the summer holidays but somehow ours are nearly done, in Norway the kids go back in August. We did a lot of playgrounds and some lazy days, paddling pool etc. Both of us have been off though so much easier when tag teaming!

No idea what we're doing today, or the rest of the week for that matter...finding new playgrounds probably!

DS1 was up for ages in the middle of the night so we're all tired today. Lots of coffee. Hope you all have a good day!

Hope it's all sorted with your DM @squishymama. It sounds like you've had a lovely summer holidays.

I'm a bit nervous to @chocolatetrifle. I'm looking forward to it calming down a bit with places to be.

Absolutely shattered today, this morning we went to baby ballet and then soft play. Came home for 20mins then went down my mum's so I could wrap DS's birthday presents. Home for 10mins to do the school run and then playing outside with the kids. We've had a massive junk pile on our patio that has been bugging FIL so he spent the day clearing it for us which was lovely.

Got DS in the bath, left him to quickly do something (hes very noisy in the bath) came back and he'd emptied all the shampoo/body wash bottles in the bath. Got him out and went downstairs to retrieve DD and she got hold of the ketchup bottle and squeezed it all out....

Send help

Well I've just had my first ugly cry in a while, totally lost it with the kids at bedtime DS is still dicking around. DH has just walked in the door I've burst into tears, he's now sorting DS out. It's been a while since I've felt so totally useless at this parenting thing

@Motherofmonsters sorry to hear you had a hard day today, hope you feel better today. Children are hard work! I'm rubbish in the evenings so DH has to step up a lot, otherwise I'd just lose it every day. Especially DS1 atm, he messes about for like an hour before going to sleep every night and it drives me crazy...

I'm awake super early stressing about life. Anyone else do this? Cost of living is shooting up and keeping kids and DH fed and doing interesting things to stop us all sitting in all day is now so expensive, we're fortunately not going to struggle to buy the basics but only just...I know there's loads of cheap or free things you can do with kids but still. We did go to a playground with DS1 yesterday which he loved but he always wants to go on the biggest equipment which is way too big for him and its terrifying for me!

Anyway no major plans today, guess we will try and find another playground. Though it's forecast rain all day, which is a bit rubbish as DM's house is not child friendly at all so we're usually stuck in the living room with a tiny variety of toys. Might have to see if I can get to a shop for some Playdoh or something.

Hope everyone has a good day!

Hello everyone, ah sorry it was a bad evening yesterday @Motherofmonsters . Hopefully today has been better? It's really hard when they get up to mischief and make a mess. My dS2 tried to flush DH glasses down the toilet this morning, luckily they didn't go down. Some days we are not feeling our best or at our strongest and they just get to us. It's ok to shout sometimes too, well I think so anyway, we all have our limits. It's ridiculous we are meant to feel we should gentle parent all the time blah blah, that's easier said than done when the kids are weeing all over the floor on purpose or squashing beans into the carpet and laughing.

@squishymamma , yes, I understand what you mean... everything is getting so expensive. We have a zoo trip planned on Monday to Chester zoo and it's costing £70. It's not sustainable to keep up with expensive trips or days out all the time. We have that trip and Gulliver's World and we will be mixing it with free museum trips, libraries, parks and playgrounds etc etc. We've cancelled our national trust membership from August as we just won't get value for money over winter. The rest of the summer will be spent at home and I'll try to get out things we've not looked at for ages etc etc.

Today was DS1s last day at preschool, I was a bit emotional. dS2 had a playdate at home this morning and I made it to my exercise class after tea and cake home and DH had started the baths so that was good. Swimming lesson tomorrow for my oldest and rugby tots on Sunday. I'm not looking forward to entertaining both all day the week after next when DH is not off but will deal with that then!

Oh just wanted to say that swimming lessons are very expensive, we are paying almost £50 for 4 30 minute lessons per month. But I see that as a skill that must be done, it's important for them to be able to swim. dS2 will start them when he's 3. The rugby is something we booked to do over the summer holidays, we will revisit it in September,but yes, everything is very very expensive. I was looking at a cbeebies comic the other day, £4.99 it was!! A kids comic!

Morning!

How is everyone doing? We had DS's actual birthday yesterday. We stayed at home and had visitors most of the day. DS loved his presents, I had to keep telling him to say hello before he grabbed the presents out of people's hands 🤦🏻‍♀️.

I'm finding the price of everything going up a struggle as well. Even food you hardly get anything for your money now. DS does Rugbytots and DD does ballet, they are more expensive but I like that they have a club to join in with. I'm probably going to be spending most our time at the beach, park or woods but I don't think the kids mind not doing big things.

Weather is rubbish here today so don't think we'll be going to far. I'm secretly hoping PIL invite us up for a roast.

Did you track down some playdoh @squishymamma. I hope they've not been to tricky to amuse at your DM's.

Hello I have really enjoyed catching up on this thread, I don't have many mum friends irl so its really nice to hear what you’ve been up to. Hopefully once DD goes to school I will get to know some people in our area
Congrats on DS school report @Motherofmonsters , you have been so busy lately with DS birthday as well, no wonder things have occasionally been a bit stressful!
Totally agree about it being hard not to spend loads of money. Our new house has a garage and I have re-instituted the toy rotation system using it for storage as at least then I am not tempted to buy more toys. But days out need to be rationed!
Hope you have enjoyed the uk @squishymamma ! Have a great time at the zoo @Chocolatetrifle !
Does anyone have any good ideas for not too sugary breakfasts that kids will actually eat. I am having such trouble getting my 2 to eat anything apart from frosties etc in the morning.

Hi all, @Motherofmonsters Glad DS had a good Birthday. I agree everything is going up in price. At the moment DS does swimming lessons and will add another hobby if and when he gets interested.

@squishymamma have a lovely day at the Zoo tomorrow.

@Lostthetastefordahlias DS likes dry cheerio’s and bran flakes at the moment!!

We are with Nanny and Granddad at the caravan this week. We went swimming yesterday and the boot-fair today, both DS and DSD got bits they wanted. This afternoon we will get the Padding pool out and I’ll take DSD to the arcades.

Morning everyone 🙌

I think the hobbies are really important so we don't mind paying for those, it gives us a purpose to get up, organised and out i think at the weekend. We've cancelled things like sky TV though because the cost is astronomical. It's the food prices and fuel that's awful. I used to fill my car up for £35, yesterday it was £55, so I'm going to be trying to make that petrol last much longer definitely, I mean it's not as if we have money growing on our trees!!

Hmm, sugar free or reduced sugar breakfast? Eggs, crumpets? Potato cakes? Beans on toast?

Hope everyone has a pleasant day and everyone behaves ( kids and husbands/partners ha).

Evening all,

DC have been driving me mental today, DS1 has not listened to me all day and sometimes did the exact opposite of what I was asking so I'm not very impressed. But obviously with kids you can't just go in a grump with them and stop speaking to them 😅 so I'm very glad it's bedtime!

Thought of you today @Lostthetastefordahlias as we went to a garden centre and almost bought dahlias! Opted for some different plants that cope better in shady areas though. DS1 got a little gardening kit and took his trowel with him when he went for a nap.

Enjoy the zoo tomorrow @Chocolatetrifle, I haven't been to Chester Zoo for ages. Can't believe its so expensive now!

Glad your DS enjoyed his birthday @Motherofmonsters and hope you got your roast. We did indeed track down Playdoh and we've been to some playgrounds so that's good. It was also my birthday yesterday but we did literally nothing special for it and I entertained the kids all day then made tea. Typical eh?

Enjoy time with the DGP @BEE08,hope you had fun at the arcades.

Oh and re sugar free breakfast, my DS1 loves oats and yoghurt. Or Cheerios, you can't win them all! He will also eat porridge if I make it and sit to eat it with him...

Have a good night everyone! My DSis is coming for a visit tomorrow. DS2 has been feeding all night every night the past week and I'm knackered so hoping he gives over soon. He also bit me so I'm really sore on one side and dread feeding when it's that side's turn! Joys of kids eh...

@squishymamma happy birthday for yesterday! You made me laugh when you said you can't ignore the DC until bedtime. Many a time I've wanted to!!!!

We've made it through another parenting day!

9 o'clock, must mean bedtime for me ha. Sleep well all.

Hi everyone, how is the week going?

The zoo was good in the end , got off to a shaky start as it was pouring down and boys were fighting over who sat in the buggy first that we took and DH was in a bad mood because of the rain. Hey ho, we saw plenty and went in the gift shop but my goodness I'm worn out today. We did so much walking and I'm not very fit so I can feel it in my legs today.

Tomorrow we are going to Gulliver's World.

Today we met a friend and her daughter for playground time. Sort of lost it a bit at lunch time because boys were winding each other up rather than eating. Oh well.

Hope everyone is doing ok.

Good evening!

Glad you had a good time @Chocolatetrifle. We didn't make it to Gulliver's World on this trip, enjoy! DS1 mainly plays on the playgrounds there anyway though so maybe for the best.

We went in to town to buy bits and bobs to take home with us and run some errands, then had a quiet afternoon. DS1 was really playing up again, I've noticed he does it when he's really tired so obviously a way to get out his frustration about wanting to be asleep. DS2 had a massive poonami that went all up his back and it took ages to clean him up in the tiny baby changing room with DS1 "helping"!

No idea what we're doing tomorrow, might go to a soft play - pick up some illnesses for the way home 😅

Good night all!

Evening,

Glad the you had a good time at the zoo @chocolatetrifle. I find there's either a wobbly beginning or a wobbly end when we go on a proper day out. Enjoy Gulliver's world tomorrow

Sounds like you've had a tricky day @squishymamma, hopefully you won't pick up any souvenirs for the way home at a soft play.

We've had a weird day, the kids had a sleep over last night at PIL's but came back early this morning as MIL is working today and FIL went with DH to pick up a new van.

DS went with them and DH bought him a gingerbread man for the way home which DS didn't eat and then DD was really really upset she didn't get one. Bad move on DH there.
We spent the afternoon playing in the garden. I picked up a 7 in 1 games set in LIDL for the garden and DS got a swing ball set for his birthday so that kept them amused. They obviously had a massive fall out and I had to take a screaming DS inside. I suggested going to the park but DS was super against it so I guess he was tired.

Thanks for the breakfast recommendations! Crumpets is genius. Hope Gullivers world was good @Chocolatetrifle and there is more calm today @Motherofmonsters . Happy belated birthday @squishymamma ! A warning - there is vomit related chat below in case you want to skip the rest of the post!
Another writeoff week this week over here as we caught noro from BIL and his kids at the weekend. Dd was so sick Monday night all over her bed/ hair/ carpet, then I got it yesterday. Meant to be at work as well. So far DS (1yr) hasn't had it yet, so thats probably on the cards for the end of the week. Fed up tbh.

Oh no @Lostthetastefordahlias sorry to hear you've been ill. There is nothing worse than when you all poorly at once, it is so draining and it really takes it out of you. Hope you feel better and sending you a virtual hug. It will soon pass, tomorrow may be a better day fingers crossed.

Hope you’re feeling better @Lostthetastefordahlias. And that DS didn’t get it!

We’re back in Norway now, had a long travel day yesterday where we almost missed our flight due to security delays despite being over 2 hours early. At least we made it. Today we have played and went to do some shopping. Let DS1 have YouTube Kids and he threw a massive tantrum when I took it off him because tea was ready. Think I spent a good 15 minutes sat on the floor with him. But hey ho, I knew it would happen when I gave him the phone so it’s my fault really!

PIL called DH tonight and insisted we meet tomorrow at a beach. He just said yes and went along with it. After 2 intense weeks with my family, starting back after mat leave on Monday, and preparing for a weekend of hosting family and friends next weekend for our DC’s joint christening, seeing more people on my last 2 days is the last thing I want to do (and they live 20 mins from us and we will see them next weekend). So I’ve said he can take DC but I’m not going. Is that terrible of me? Surprisingly he agreed and said it was fine, wasn’t upset at all, but I also feel bad not spending this last bit of time I get of summer with DC with them. Though it would be nice to have half a day of quiet…

Anyway happy weekend, hope everyone is doing well!

Hi all, @Lostthetastefordahlias i hope you feel better soon.

We had a great week with my parents at the caravan, DS loved swimming, going to the beac, playing in the parks and playing football with Daddy when he came up on his day off.

We took the night time pull ups away as DS keep getting really upset about wearing them at night, it’s been a week and we have had one night accident which is good.

we are having a chill out weekend, as I have a lot of watching too do!!

@squishymamma I don't and you for feeling like that about the beach meet up, I'd be the same. Hope your DH went with the DC and you got some peace. Good luck for starting back at work tomorrow.

@BEE08 well done with the night time potty training, sounds like it is going well so far.

I've not posted for a few days, have just been a bit overtired and flat I suppose. DH is back to work tomorrow so I've got to get my thinking cap on for looking after the DS's. I've got some meet ups arranged with other children for playdates. I do better in the school routine I suppose, so I'm not looking forward to all day every day entertainment again. I honestly feel like I have a bit of stay at home stress related thoughts that come from lockdown when I struggled quite a bit. My boys fight at home and are naughty at times and i just get worked up. Sorry for the moan. I know I'm lucky in many respects and just need to get a grip and get on with it and parent! There's no avoiding it!

Hope everyone is ok.