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...

@Plantsandpuddlesuits, oooh, ok, we are thinking of it for next year, by then I'll have a 4.5 and 2.5 year old, perhaps May time. The Lake District one is probably closest to us, we are in the North West.

[quote Chocolatetrifle]@Plantsandpuddlesuits, oooh, ok, we are thinking of it for next year, by then I'll have a 4.5 and 2.5 year old, perhaps May time. The Lake District one is probably closest to us, we are in the North West.[/quote]
We also go to the lake District one, whinfell @Chocolatetrifle. We can only go in school holidays. Happy to answer any questions we absolutely love it there like I said we go every year

@Plantsandpuddlesuits, my oldest starts school.in September so thought we would possibly try May or June. Is the food nice? The lodges look beautiful.

@Plantsandpuddlesuits sorry to hear you're not well, hope you feel better soon and your family stay healthy.

Baby is doing great, thanks for asking @Chocolatetrifle he slept from 11pm to 3.30am last night so I feel like a new woman!

Currently sat in a cafe while DH gets his booster jab, he's starting a new job in a nursery on Monday so I think it's wise he gets it now! Both kids are miraculously asleep so I am enjoying a cup of tea and a croissant, it's heavenly.

The journey to the cafe was bloody awful though, I didn't manage to go to the toilet before we left and so halfway there I began to really need the toilet...and of course my pelvic floor is shot...the walk to the cafe was absolute agony as I thought I would wet myself at any point!! Need to get on those exercises.

[quote Chocolatetrifle]@Plantsandpuddlesuits, my oldest starts school.in September so thought we would possibly try May or June. Is the food nice? The lodges look beautiful.[/quote]
We always get a 2 storey detached updated lodge they are nice. We pay around £1300 for a weekend I think. And around £1700 for mon-fri

We also pay a bit extra to choose our own lodge we like the ones that are in like a cul de sac so a bit quieter.

The food is good, standard chains really. There's a Starbucks, hucks American diner is lovely we always choose that. Bella Italia good too. Also pancake House but obviously very sugary!

There is a Chinese takeaway aswell you can order it online a few days before and chose a time for it to be delivered to your lodge. We tend to go swimming late afternoon then get the takeaway delivery for tea as soon as we get back to lodge. They also do kids things like chicken nuggets

There is an onsite shop quite expensive though. They have those cook brand ready meals which are an easy tea and also at lunch they have a hot food counter eg sausage rolls etc so great for after swimming. They also do a kids box I thyits around £3 eg sandwich crisps drinks yogurt fruit type things.

There's a small beach area aswell which is good for little ones take your own bucket and spade etc

Also take your own disposal BBQ and marshmallows etc that's another good activity.

Quiet morning here I'm still feeling rough. DH and children still negative (for now 😱) .

DH is taking them to the woods this afternoon it's meant to absolutely pour down so they will be fully togged up! Although older children refuse waterproof trousers now but tbh they won't be rolling in mud like the little ones will.

DH doesn't want to go indoors anywhere incase they are positive but don't know it yet

I was about to put a wash on this morning but dh was like erm isn't it best to wait till we get home so all the muddy clothes from today can go in there 🤣

@squishymamma those cups look fantastic. I'm in need of them at the mo as unbelievably my 11 month old has started to change her latch onto a super clamp latch of doom as she has a molar coming and I'm back using out of date Lansinoh. Thought those days were gone.

Thanks for all the toy suggestions. We had Happy land for Christmas and that has been a big hit with both kids. I held back the house so will give her that for the birthday. @Lostthetastefordahlias I was looking at the ball run thing as I can imagine they are really fun for a short time and then you pass them on which sounds ideal. I am giving (from the attic) a car run thing. See picture. Do you think they'd be too samey?

@Plantsandpuddlesuits enjoy your empty house. I'm jealous

@Plantsandpuddlesuits, thank you so much for all the info, gives us something to think about now and try to plan. Ha, the mud, we went to the woods the other day and seriously there was mood everywhere. I love a stomp in the woods.

@squishymamma, enjoy your coffee in peace, brilliant they are both asleep at the same time. Double nap time got me through the early stages when dS2 was born. I'd always try to get DS1 to nap at the same time

Hope everyone has a lovely day.

@Motherofmonsters, how was your night away?

I still have memories going to centre parks about 26 years ago!!!🙈

DS (4) used to be such a good sleeper. Lately when he goes to bed I have to read to him until he's fallen asleep whereas I used to read 3 stories then be able to leave the room and he would settle himself. Also for a few months now he's been waking in the night full on crying and screaming and ends up in bed with us. It's like a separation anxiety type of thing?

Sorry to moan, I think I've been so lucky sleep wise with my son that I'm finding it a shock now, I'd have expected disturbed sleep at a much younger age

@PinkDaydreams it's a bloody shock when it changes. But remember as quickly as it can change for the worse it can change back for the better.

[quote pompomsgalore]@PinkDaydreams it's a bloody shock when it changes. But remember as quickly as it can change for the worse it can change back for the better. [/quote]
I really hope so! I remember a gp a while ago suggesting medicating for sleep as he has asd and i said no need to as he's a fantastic sleeper. I really don't want to go down the medication route.

Anyway! Nothing planned for today, might make some biscuits.
Has anyone any plans for today and New year's Eve? I'll be tucked up in bed!

Hello everyone,

we had an amazing time away, really didn't want to go back to reality.

I've woken up with cystitis this morning which is fantastic, we all know we can't fully have nice things!

No real plans for new years eve here, I've ordered a load of brie and crackers so might watch a film but won't be up until midnight. I kinda want to finish my ironing pile but that's a bit sad isn't it.

DH has lots of business Admin to do today so I might take the kids down to my mum's house as she lives 5 doors down so he can concentrate. I'm not feeling particularly inspired.

Hope everyone is having a good morning.

Terrible mummy award here, just totally lost it with DS. He's started putting my hair in his mouth and I hate it. He's just done it and ripped my hair so I really shouted mostly out of shock but then he hit me so I ended up putting him in his room for a minute and didn't want him near me after. DD has been poking and prodding my face all day and screaming up at me constantly as she wants carrying into the kitchen for snacks. I'm very touched out while not feeling well so not a good combination. DH has given up on trying to work as he's achieved nothing and has taken DS to the park.

@Motherofmonsters sounds all standard stuff so no awful mummy award for you today. You'll have to try harder. X
I literally told mine yesterday that I was sick of being touched. It's overwhelming sometimes.

Hope you are feeling better @Motherofmonsters and @Plantsandpuddlesuits? Its SO hard parenting while ill. I always just carry on even though I know DH would have taken to bed if he was feeling like that, which is stupid really isnt it!
Hows the sleep @PinkDaydreams? We have suddenly had a week of constant wakeups from our 16month old - had forgotten whats its like to be so tired.
We went to an illuminated garden last night which they liked. Moving house next week so trying to start with the packing today!

Happy new year everyone!!

We had a nice quiet night with PIL. Had a bit of a day yesterday though...DH had his booster and reacted badly to it so he spent most of yesterday groaning/sleeping/throwing up. Meaning that I got thrown into the deep end suddenly with 2 kids - you guys are absolute heroes, man is it difficult was trying to breastfeed DS2 with one arm and open Playdoh for DS1 with the other. Almost cried several times. But then magically at like 4pm, DH woke up and was almost fine again. So weird!

Today's a quiet day, we'll spend some time outside for DS1 but otherwise no plans.

How was everyone else's new year? How are you feeling today @Motherofmonsters?

Thank you, starting to feel better now. Ended up having a midnight appointment at the local hospital for some antibiotics. I was meant to be going for a walk with DHs family but they've gone on a big one that I don't really fancy. So Ive spent the morning lying in bed and have now reheated yesterday's left over Chinese - I seem to have reverted back to a student...

We done for managing with the two of them when DH was poorly @squishymamma. You really are a super star

Happy new year 🎉 everyone.

Oh @Motherofmonsters, you poor thing. Hope you are feeling a bit better now. There's nothing worse when the kids are hanging off you or pulling screaming or screeching at you. I understand. Hope the antibiotics start working for you soon. Y dS2 has been screeching at me all day

@Lostthetastefordahlias, good luck for your packing. A new home for the new year, that is exciting.

@squishymamma, ah play- doh and breastfeeding sounds like an achievement well done. It is hard getting used to managing both, remember though it's perfectly ok to see to one over the other at times and that will happen. You are doing brilliantly.

We had a strange new year. My FIL is in hospital still and they had to put him in a coma yesterday as he had fluid in his lungs and stomach. He is not managing to fight infections, this is separate to the two broken vertabrae he got.

I'm exhausted today. Took the decorations down at half 6 this morning when DS1 was still asleep and he didn't even notice when he came down.

Hope this year is a great year for you all.

Sorry to hear about your FIL @chocolatetrifle, it must be very stressful and upsetting. Well done for getting your decorations down, that's our job for tomorrow.

DD insisted on going to bed at 6pm bit she's wide awake. I'm sat here while she's just mucking about. DH returned from PIL with a roast plated up for me, so I hope she goes to sleep soon so I can eat it.

Hope you have a restorative night @Chocolatetrifle and feel less tired tomorrow. I do hope your FIL’s situation improves.
Well done for coping witH DH being ill @squishymamma.
We watched loads of julia donaldson films and ate loads of leftover christmas biscuits today. What an inspirational start to the year, not.

Hi everyone, can I join please? I have a 20 month old son and need all the help I can get keeping him entertained. I work 4 days per week but have 6 days off around New Year. I find I have to take him out every day otherwise he goes nuts and won't nap. We are about to start trying for baby number 2, because we are crazy and do not want to sleep ever again.

Welcome @tiddletoddling.

Right ladies I need some inspiration for today. So far I've got a big roll of paper out and the pens, crayons etc and so far we do have some drawings on the paper!

I'm feeling tired and exhausted and so unfit and all my attempts to start the new year afresh and positive seem to be diminishing already... I'm fantasising about a night away by myself again.... And silence ...!

What's everyone up to today?

@Chocolatetrifle so sorry to hear about your fil.

Thanks for asking about the sleep @Lostthetastefordahlias. Last night he stayed all night in his own bed, night before he woke up and I went in and rubbed his back, night before that I was in his bed for an hour with him. Im determined for him to stay in his own bed!

Not too sure what we are doing today although I know I want to get the thank you cards made and posted.

Morning,

Welcome @tiddletoddling, taking them out everyday definitely helps. I try to take mine out everyday as well.

That's a good idea @chocolatetrifle. I'm trying to think of some ideas for you but my brain doesn't seem to work. DS wanted to play catch and managed to hit me in the eye so I don't recommend that!

Ouch @Motherofmonsters! Hope you are feeling a bit better today

@PinkDaydreams, you are so good making thank you cards. My ds1 is similar age to your son and I really need to get him back in his own bed too. Sometimes it could be bad dreams perhaps?

It's not raining so we are making the most of it by playing in the garden, I keep trying to sneak inside for a cup of tea (to watch from the kitchen window) but dS2 keeps saying mum come outside!