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...

Evening everyone, well dS2 has chicken pox, it's really weird as he only has about 4 spots at the moment and some faint ones on his face.

Survived the day anyway just about. I've had to cancel the playdate meet ups due to the pox for this week but I'm going to plan my days by thinking of a few things for the next day etc, garden, weather permitting and indoor ones to help feel in control! I'm sure I'll look back one day and think why did I worry so much about the summer holidays and keeping the DC entertained .

Thanks for your kind words, we were stuck in for a week with vomiting going round the whole family, but fingers crossed it is behind us now.
Oh no that is so annoying about the pox @Chocolatetrifle. I find it incredibly hard to be stuck in without plans or nursery and I feel the same its like a mental flashback to those very long and hard lockdown days. We can’t expect to be over that immediately! Hope you can schedule in some breaks for yourself when dh around - even for a walk up the shops or a bath.
Really hope Ds recovers asap and you feel ok! Don’t be afraid to use tv and snacks as much as possible!
I used to feel bad leaving dh with the dc & the in laws @squishymamma but I always try to arrange it now as its made them all closer! I think it is a good thing!

Hi everyone, thanks @Lostthetastefordahlias it's good to know it's not just me that finds it hard sometimes.

DS2's pox are going down so I'm assuming a mild dose. We've been pottering around, have done some baking which always ends up in a complete mess, some arts and crafts etc. Lots of squabbles already.

Have ordered a tent for the garden so I've got the idea we will camp out in the garden next week, in the day, very unlikely at night! Thought we could toast marshmallows etc. All sounds idyllic and probably won't go to plan but will see, it will pass time and hopefully be fun.
Hope everyone is ok.

Hi everyone,

I'm glad DS spots are going down already @chocolatetrifle, your camping in the garden idea sounds fantastic.

Sorry you've all been ill @Lostthetastefordahlias.

We're mostly surviving the holidays but DS has regressed a bit so it's been hard work. Lots of screaming and shouting (some of it from me) in my house, trying to stop though as it's not making a difference and my neighbours must be getting annoyed.

So far we've been to the park with DS's school friend twice. I've got 3 birthdays and a christening for the rest of the week. Going to be shattered by the end of it.

I dropped the kids around my mum's while I went present shopping this morning. Not sure about this afternoon, hoping to stay home but will go to the park if we start falling out again

Evening all, sorry I’ve been quiet, starting work again has been intense!

Glad to hear you’re feeling better now @Lostthetastefordahlias. Good to hear your DS only had a mild round of pox @Chocolatetrifle , definitely keep us updated on the tent! Hope you don’t get too exhausted @Motherofmonsters.

DS1 started back at nursery today in his new, “big kids” class - he didn’t want to go but shot off as soon as we got there and wasn’t really bothered about saying goodbye! He’s been really whiny tonight though so I think they tired him out.

I took the day off as they invited parents to come hang out for a bit, kind of like easing the kids in. So then DH and I went to buy supplies as we’re having the boys’ joint christening this weekend. Bit stressed about that!

Oh also I slipped and fell on a colouring mat tonight, landed on my tailbone which was agony. DS1 thought it was really funny and tried to get me to do it again, I was not very impressed!

Hope everyone has a good night.

Oh no @squishymamma , hope you are ok? Poor you. How are you finding work?
Hope the christenings go well for you this weekend.

And you too @Motherofmonsters hope the christening and birthdays go well.

We are ok, today I took the boys on the bus for a little journey. They have not been on a bus before and I'm sure I've not been on one for about 20 years ! I've just not had use a bus as I drive but thought it would be fun for them and it was.

My DS1, he's 5 in October and he is so angry all of the time! Is it a growing phase? Hormones? He's so emotional.! He argues about everything! We had an almost 10 minute stand off on the driveway as he refused to get out of DS2's car seat and dS2 wouldn't sit in DS1s car seat. He then started crying this afternoon when dS2 got a goal but he missed Happy days.

Tomorrow we have a park playdate in the afternoon. Nearly 2 weeks of the holidays done.

Good luck for the christening @squishymamma.

DS went through an extra angry bit around that age to @chocolatetrifle. I think boys have a testosterone surge or something along those lines. Bus trip sounds like a great idea.

I've had an absolutely horrendous day, DS has just been crazy, hyper, mean literally all the bad traits. I know it's horrible to say and I shouldn't label him as a bad kid. I know he can't help it, his brain works different etc but today it's broken me. It's my mum's birthday today so we went to the Eden Project, he was just so uncontrollable, it continued when we got back, over dinner etc. DD absolutely would not go to sleep and then DS wet himself all over the floor. I had a proper meltdown/panic attack while DS danced around saying I was crying like a baby.. DH walked in about 8.30 and I've legged it out of there and am now in McDonald's car park eating.
It's just feels so unfair, I've never seen a kid like him out and about, maybe other people have given up taking them out I don't know. Sorry for the rant Ive just never felt so rubbish at being a person

Oh @Motherofmonsters I've only just seen your message, sorry I didn't see it last night to message you. Hope you are ok too. You are most definitely not rubbish at being a person, you are just doing your best in a difficult situation. We all have these bad days. I think sometimes big trips or days out can be overwhelming. Perhaps your DS was overstimulated?
My DS1 deals with excitement very strangely, he throws things etc etc.
Remember how good his end of term report was and how happy you were?
Hope you feel better today?

@Motherofmonsters , how are you getting on?

My DS1 has been up in the night with a fever now, so no swimming lessons this morning. He's been sick a couple of times, just water though.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Thank you @chocolatetrifle, feeling a bit better. Just feel a bit flat if that makes sense.

I reached out to his OT and the top lady came along as well yesterday and has come up with some different things to try. They think his sense of touch isn't working so we need to boost that. She's also given me a behaviour strategy as he doesn't get clues from the environment. We've now got a marble jar, when he does good listening he gets a marble and when the jar is full he gets a sticker ( he loves cats so I've bought some fun cat ones.) Just waiting on Amazon to arrive with the marbles and then we'll give it a go.

We had a birthday party yesterday, DS was charging around like a loon as usual but I've known them since he was 4 months so they get it.

He didn't want to go to the birthday party today so he had a day out with MIL to an open day at the fire station. I think some space has done is some good tbh. The party was at the beach, very odd being there with just DD but I think she liked having me to herself. Car park was miles from the beach though, so the walk back up the hill was epic.

How is your DS doing now @chocolatetrifle?

@Motherofmonsters yes I know what you mean about feeling flat. Sometimes I'm as flat as the floor. But, then somehow the next day is a bit better and we carry on.. good idea for reaching out to the OT, I'm glad she was of help. Good idea too about the marble jar. Hope it works. Let us know.

Ds1 has had fevers all day, up and down and he's complaining of a headache,nothing else. I did a covid test and it was negative so I'm not sure, a virus or something. See how he goes. He's flat out asleep for now, totally worn out. Just going to settle dS2 now then bath and bed.

Does anyone want a new thread? This one is almost full.

Hi,

Brain capacity is almost 0, we have so much to do for the christening tomorrow and had a very full day of activities today. But wanted to pop in to say yes to a new thread!

Sorry to hear about DS1 @Chocolatetrifle, hope he feels better soon and DS2 doesn’t get it.

You are doing an amazing job @Motherofmonsters, it’s really not easy parenting and some days you just feel demotivated and fed up. The marble jar sounds like a great idea! I’m glad you get support from the OT, hopefully it makes a difference. We’re here cheering you on!

hope everyone gets a good sleep!

Thank you @squishymamma, hope all goes okay with Christening today.

Yes please to a new thread @chocolatetrifle! I hope DS is feeling better today and you all had some sleep.

We've got a christening to go to this morning, I didn't want to take DS but DH wants to so hopefully it'll go alright. At least with DH there he can take him outside.

The actual christening bit went okay today but they had a corner in the back with a few toys and books. DS wanted me to read about Jesus so we went through the Bible books. Had a bit of struggle at the after do but it wasn't entirely Max's fault. The girls sort of teamed up and said no boys and then when he tried to play they said he was being naughty chasing them...

Hope everyone has had a good day

Hope the christenings were ok?

I can't seem to create a new thread, can someone help please?

I'm waiting for call from 111 for eldest ds. He's had fevers which keep.coming back now for 72 hours and I think tonsilitis (again)or scarlet fever. It's been 6 hours since 111 said someone would call 🙄.

I've created a new thread called Trapped Toddler Parents: surviving the summer. Not sure how to link from the app.

I hope they come back to you soon @chocolatetrifle, how frustrating they haven't got back to you yet