Trapped Toddler Parents: Surviving the summer

[Motherofmonsters]

Hi,

New thread for toddler support, ideas and general rants!

Sorry you've had a rough day @Chocolatetrifle . Really hope you get a good sleep tonight and Ds is feeling better by tomorrow. Camping in the garden sounds great. Sorry the ice didn't go well though, always annoying when you put the effort in and imagine they're going to love it.

@AliasGrape thank you! Fingers crossed fir a letter day tomorrow yes.

Hope everyone has a good sleep tonight.

*better!

Hello everyone how are you today? How was yesterday @Chocolatetrifle I hope things worked out with the camp?
We had a nightmare last night as the bathroom started leaking through the ceiling, had to put DD & DS to sleep in same room as access to bathroom plumbing is through DS room. Never again if I can help it! We got no sleep. They are watching ben & holly already, I feel knackered. Quite relieved our planned playdate got cancelled, so we can just go for a walk in the woods and maybe to the library.

@Lostthetastefordahlias on no that sounds like a nightmare. Can you get it fixed today? Poor you. Hope you enjoy the woods and library and you return home and it's all fixed for you.

Hmm, yesterday, what to say about yesterday? It was a bad day. Behaviour was just all off and I had no patience unfortunately, ds1 is not better from his tonsilitis and him and dS2 were fighting so much. The camping didn't go as planned really, they were just not in the right mood. I ended up going to the shop and eating two wispa bars one after the other. The day did improve as it progressed to the evening and this morning has been better! I am erasing yesterday from my memory. We are going to have a little BBQ tonight.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather.

Oh no @lostthetastefordahlias, what a nightmare. I hope you've managed to get sorted.

Sorry the camping didn't go to plan @chocolatetrifle. Sometimes they just get up in the mood for chaos. I'm glad it got better for you.

We've had an epic 6 hour beach trip today, it's been super hot but was barrable down by the water. They had an absolutely fantastic time though, they probably would have stayed later but it was enough sun for me. (Teenage me would have disapproved)

Now finding the energy for dinner, it might be a stereotypical 'snack tea'

Hope things are sorted now @Lostthetastefordahlias , sounds a nightmare. Fingers crossed you all get a decent sleep tonight.

Sorry you had another day @Chocolatetrifle hope today has been much better and the bbq went well.

Beach trip sounds great @Motherofmonsters We're thinking of attempting the seaside this weekend, us and everyone else probably!

Today was a childminder/ work day so comparatively easy in that I only had to work although bedtime was hard work with the heat/ light and just as we were all relaxed and ready to settle we reached for the most important bunny in the world and he was nowhere to be found. Took ages to find him by which point DD was wide awake and ready to party again.

My sister is home from holiday tonight so we are going to descend on her tomorrow and hopefully DD's cousins can wear her out a bit.

@Chocolatetrifle i hope the BBQ was nice yesterday.
@Motherofmonsters the beach trip sounds like a good day.

I haven’t been on for a while, we have celebrated DSD birthday this week by having a family meal out and an afternoon tea with grandparents.
We have been to a local outdoor pool this week which was lovely and a beach trip today which was rather hot.

Hi everyone,

They sound like lovely days out @BEE08 .

@AliasGrape oh no, don't loose bunny again!

Oh, the BBQ went wrong because I carried some burgers and sausages out and because I'm clumsy I dropped the tray and almost all went in the grass! I was about to give them a rinse and said they would be fine (!) but DH went all moody then and said we couldn't do that, honestly does he not understand the 3 second rule? Anyway, salvaged the safe ones for the boys and I had sliced tomatoes on a bun instead and DH put in a pizza. It's been one of these weeks here. Next week's moto is 'dont try too hard', and let the boys just be ( yeah right).

Ds1 had to go back to the Dr today as the tonsilitis had not cleared. He's better but it's just not quite gone, more antibiotics should do it.

This morning I had arranged a playground for two kids who are starting school with ds1 in September, as I know the mum's but one cancelled at the last minute, with what seemed like a silly excuse so I was a bit p- off to say the least (again, it's been one of those weeks). Not that I'm unreasonable or anything!!

How is everyone doing?

• playdate! I did not arrange my own playground!

Ah sorry the BBQ went wrong @chocolatetrifle (I would have picked them up and washed them off to) it's annoying when you get a rubbish excuse for not turning up. I'm very much if I say I'm doing it, I am. Hopefully next week will be better for you.

Sounds like you've had a lovely week @BEE08.

Did you make it to the seaside @AliasGrape?

DS had therapy on Friday morning, didn't go very well at all. I think it was just to hot for him. In the afternoon I met up with my friend at the beach who I haven't seen in months. It was really lovely to catch up.
In the evening I actually went out out. One of the school mum's organised a mum's night. It was really good.
I didn't eat much before I went out so spent yesterday horrendously hungover. Dh was working and I ended up asking my mum at 8am to come get the kids as I couldn't even move. DS was actually helpful and got himself dressed and helped DD get her clothes. He even tried to make her breakfast.

Today were off for a big family meal for my sister in law. It's a 3 course meal so hoping the kids don't lose the plot half way through.

Hope everyone has a good day

Another one who would have washed the sausages off here!

Our seaside trip hasn’t happened, was earmarked for today but wasn’t to be - DH full of a cold (in a heatwave 🤷‍♀️).

Yesterday we went to pick up a little tikes car that MIL’s friend wanted to pass on to us. You know the red and yellow ones they sit in? A few months ago I’d have been thrilled because she seemed to love every one we came across at playgroups/ friend’s houses and I’d been looking for one on marketplace for ages. We decided against getting one in the end as our garden is quite small and she seemed to lose interest in them, but didn’t feel like we could decline this as MIL was guilting us into accepting. Anyway it was a 90 minute round trip collect it, DD shouted wow, ran round and round it a few times excitedly, sat in it for 30 seconds, got out and hasn’t bothered with it since 🙈

I was out out with a friend in the afternoon/ evening too. We went for a few drinks and then a nice early dinner about 6ish, we were in two minds about carrying on after that but decided to be sensible so got the train home. I feel a tiny bit delicate today but not too bad.

DH had a lie in as feeling unwell, and DD and I played in the garden this morning whilst it wasn’t too hot. Well I say played, we had water and paintbrushes and she basically ordered me to paint various sections of the fence whilst not really showing any interest in doing the same. We’ve also made a birthday card for grandma as it’s tomorrow, and turned a cardboard box into a house for her bunny - I cut a door and windows out and she crayoned all over it and covered it with stickers basically. That’s me out of ideas now, and it’s not even midday.

Hi everyone, how is everyone feeling? Glad to hear you've both had time out and been 'out out' minus the kids @Motherofmonsters and @AliasGrape , good for you! Glad you both had a good time.

Yesterday we went to a little fair and then a neighbour popped in with her two year old to play in the garden. Anyone else find playdates at home not relaxing? Right I'm just going to say it, people stay toooo long, if you know what I mean. Then it gets to the point when my DS1 starts saying 'i want x to go home now!' it's so embarrassing. I think we might give the home playdates a break for a while....plus we never get invited to anyone else's house! I sound like such a moaner don't I? I can say it to you lot though!

This afternoon DH took boys out to his mum's so I changed beds, cleaned etc and it made me feel quite happy! This morning it was rugby tots. I guess we are half way through the holidays ready, ds1 starts on the 5th September.

Hello everyone!

Been a while since I’ve been on here, just been really busy with work and both kids jostling for attention when i get home because neither of them have seen me all day.

I would also have washed off the barbecue food, and so would DH - it’s a regular occurrence here! Hope DS1 is feeling better now @Chocolatetrifle. Totally know what you mean about play dates at home, I always feel like I have to give several rounds of snacks…

Oh no @AliasGrape hope you manage to get a bit more use out of it…I guess after a few months you can gift it forwards?

We’ve had a lovely relaxed day today, went to the lake in the afternoon and swam and had a barbecue. Both DC have been a bit whiny lately but they had a good time so that was nice (and quiet!). Just sat dancing to the radio in the bathroom while DS1 has his bath and drinks all the dirty water, do other DC do that or is it just mine?

Another boring week ahead of work work work. Trying to figure out what to do with DS1 after nursery because he’s starting to be a bit of a terror after tv time and it’s supposed to rain all week so we won’t be outside. Recently when we’ve been giving him a choice between 2 things he gives the answer “no” and stubbornly points at something else, so many standoffs I’ve been shouting a lot more. Hard to gentle parent when your child stares you down and refuses any reasoning…

Hope everyone has a good evening!

My DS is also terrible for drinking the bath water @squishymamma ! I give him a huge drink before bath time but he still does it!
@Chocolatetrifle I have to say I don’t like playdates at ours much either unless it is family, I try to suggest meeting at parks etc. Less work haha sometimes you have to make life as easy as possible.
We went to the beach Saturday but it was mostly just a struggle, everyone was too hot and unhappy.
Really hoping for some cooler air today and hopefully a better night’s sleep!

Oh yes @squishymamma DD is big on drinking bath water too, and paddling pool water and any in the water tray or if I let her ‘wash up’.

She’s a nightmare generally for everything in her mouth - I know that’s normal to some extent but I think she’s been on the extreme end, and absolutely no sign of growing out of it. It really limits what we can do play wise, I’ve tried loads of sensory ideas in the past but she literally just eats it - not just puts it to her mouth to explore but sits there merrily munching dry pasta or whatever. She is also constantly trying to get her hands on whatever face cream/ shampoo/make up she can find in order to eat it.

Hi sorry not posted I've been too fed up to post, dS2 got tonsilitis on Sunday so it's been the usual trip to the doctor's and chemist for antibiotics so both are on it at the moment and for some unknown reason the medicine turns my two very active boys into complete stark raving lunatic children. It is like feeding time at the zoo all day from 6 am and as if they have eaten nothing but haribo all day. Luckily ds1 finishes his second course tomorrow. #soovertonsiltis.

Anyway, how is everyone?

Yes to the drinking bath water ( no doubt after they have weed in it).

Evening!

Oh no @Chocolatetrifle you seem to have a lot of tonsillitis in your family, hope the medicine sorts them out soon and it doesn’t come back.

Not much exciting to report from here, DS2 has started crawling and DS1 has gotten into the habit of tipping everything out of all his playboxes onto the floor when he gets in from nursery which irritates the hell out of DH so then he stomps about muttering to himself. Our household is full of joy…on a positive note, DS1 has started chatting a lot more and he’s really gotten “Mamma” down to a tee, especially at 6am 😅

Hope everyone has a good sleep! It’s really humid here so a bit hot and sticky, hoping it cools down soon.

Playdates at home are great if it's one of my friends. Otherwise, nope. I think I would try to work out what the optimum length is and then invent another commitment so you "have to" cut it short.

We have two birthdays this week so I've been wrapping presents and giggling at some of them with DS1. I got a ridiculous Paw Patrol robot dog for DS2 from a friend and it actually sounds downright creepy, heavy breathing and everything Plus you have to put batteries up its bum...

DS3 is sleeping terribly at the moment. He's a bit snotty and the doctor noted when we were there for his check up that he had blocked ears so I wonder if he has an earache with it. Doctor said to call back when he'd been well for 2 weeks and he'd check his ears again. The thing is, that was six weeks ago and there has not been a single 2 week period where he's been completely well, so wondering if the doctor has spotted something. DS2 has a check up soon so I will ask what to do then. He has to draw a picture of a house, tree and person! I really don't think he knows how to draw any of those things. We just get random circles and lines when he tries to draw things. He is more interested in writing letters. They said that doesn't matter, so we will see what happens at the appointment! If we were in the UK he would be starting school in a few weeks! Feels totally mad.

Oh no @Chocolatetrifle i really hope both boys are better soon, and your DS too @BertieBotts Im a newbie so can I ask where you are living? The crawling is exciting @squishymamma The tipping out not so much!

Yesterday and today I worked in the mornings. Yesterday afternoon we went to the park with a friend with same age DD, and another friend - actually the lady who ran our mum and baby group and is so lovely and has become a friend joined us for a catch up too. The girls ran wild for two hours straight and DD was asleep before I even had her pjs on last night so that was great. This afternoon after I’d finished work we walked into the local village and went to the library to change some overdue books,
then DD actually napped in the buggy on the way home and stayed asleep for an hour, unheard of these days. This evening we went for a very early dinner at the pub for MIL’s birthday. DD was in her element getting ice cream and also running riot in their play area, but did fall headfirst off a little climbing thing and landed a bit awkwardly which made me feel sick. She was fine after a cuddle though. Tonight though at bedtime she seemed to have a bit of a temperature - I’m crap at judging these things and we don’t have a decent thermometer (need to invest) but DH agreed she was unusually hot and so we chanced some calpol anyway. Will see what tonight/ tomorrow brings.

Hello everyone!

Sorry they're sick again @chocolatetrifle. You don't seem to be getting a break from it.

Sorry your DS3 isn't sleeping @BertieBotts hopefully he'll be better soon.

Sounds like you've had a good couple days @AliasGrape. A bit of Calpol won't hurt, I'm sure she'll be fine

We've had a good few days, meal out on Sunday for SIL birthday. DS was an angel, DD threw up two mins before we went in and slept in the buggy the whole time. We had park playdates Monday and Tuesday that went okay.

Today however has been another story. We went to Heligan (gardens, parks, animals we go there a lot) DS was just horrendous kept sprinting off, charging at his cousins, not listening, he legged it across a meadow (size of a field). I had enough and took him home, left DD with my mum and sister and walked him back. He was sobbing and I felt a bit mean but there's only so many times I can tell him to not run off. It's just not safe and not nice for his cousins. I think he got the message, he keeps telling me it's not fair so who knows.

Evening everyone,
How is your daughter @AliasGrape ? Is she feeling better today?
@BertieBotts when they are really snotty it can push back into the inner ear so whilst it's not earache, there is a lot of discomfort in the ears due to the congestion, apparently. Why don't you see if your DS can draw those at home before the appointment? Although they usually can perform miracles for others, whilst refusing to do anything home sometimes.

@Motherofmonsters , glad your week has been ok. I have a runner-offer too, in fact they both like too and they are fast, it's very stressful, I understand.

We've had an ok day. We've been to a museum in Liverpool,not the best one we've been to there but it was different. My dS2 seems on the mend. I have chased up DS1s ENT follow up appointment from January,but told no appointment at the moment so we will wait.

We are trying to grow pumpkins in our garden , ds1 potted the seeds in June and today they have started to flower so we will see if any pumpkins grow. Best bit of the day was DS1 saying ' I am attached to you mummy '. Must do something right sometimes then ha!

Pumpkin flowers.