Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Crazy things your toddler insists you have to do in the middle of the night

11 replies

ISpeakMau · 24/11/2022 00:57

Mine woke up crying and it was clear he wouldn't go back to bed without having his demands met. After lots of heated discussion, which consisted basically of me asking my 15 month old what he wanted (water, milk, being held) in the hope he'd answer affirmatively to one of my questions by stopping crying I finally decided to take him down to the kitchen to get some milk. He seemed very pleased with that so I hoped he'd drink the bloody milk and then let us both go back to sleep.

When we were back in the room and sitting on the mattress I sleep on next to his cot I offered him the milk but he didn't want it. Ok, fine, no milk, I got it wrong. I put the bottle to the side of the bed and he started crying again pointing at the bottle. Offered him the milk again and he very emphatically and decisively turned his head away. I put him on my shoulder where standard babies and toddlers like to sleep and he started crying. Offered him the milk, same response as before. He neither wanted the milk nor was I allowed to put the bottle down.

This went on for a while till I figured out that what he wanted was to lie between my legs, with his back to me and with the back of his head resting on my tummy as if we were going down together in a canoe on one of those stupid water slides in a water theme park (I actually quite like them but at this time of the night everything is stupid except for sleep). And I had to hold the stupid milk bottle, which he refused to drink, in one hand where he could see it. I was not allowed to put it down. He had slept like this a couple of days ago and obviously thought this weird position is how he has to sleep from now on ..with view of his milk. So that's how he's sleeping now. I feel as if I am one of those reclinable sofas...with a drink holder.

But since he's sleeping now I've finally at least put his stupid bottle to the side and now I suppose I'll just to have stay like this till he's in deep sleep so I can put him back in his cot.

And because I've got nothing else to do except sit like this full of indignation at his unreasonable behaviour I am posting here. In all detail because I think I'll be here for a while. I mustn't wake him because I'm terrified that he might get upset and demand the worst of all middle of the night demands: carrying him while walking up and down.

Tldr: anyone else have any stories of the crazy things your baby or toddler wanted in the middle of the night?

OP posts:
Mollythemoo · 24/11/2022 01:22

You are the adult. Please do not become what my sister did. You will utterly regret it !

It has ended up dreadfully, they are now 16 and 18. Total waste of spaces,massive attitudes and well what is the world going to do for them sorts !

She pretended to be their friend, for an easy life/ totally lazy parenting , let them dictate the rules, stay up all night, watch endless inappropriate TV, do not eat dinner , but just eat deserts and sweets, sort of mother.

You are the adult, you set the boundaries and the rules of your home.

My sister ended up being governed by her children. They are / have never been invited anywhere, school parents hate them.

Children need guidance, that is your duty. Please start setting boundaries, if you need support , find it .

A baby does not set the boundary, you do as it's mother. Else you are setting your child you fail!

Do not buckle. Get this nonsense sorted. Otherwise, you will go bonkers .

ISpeakMau · 24/11/2022 01:31

Oh I have to say I am kind of assuming that he will not ask for milk or to sleep on me for another 17 years.

But thanks for the advice. He's back in his cot now but I still can't sleep. Might be the strong tea I had in the evening for a bit of energy to clear up the mess he's made today.

Hmm..you may have a point.. :-)

OP posts:
LittIe · 24/11/2022 01:33

Why are you sleeping on a mattress in his room? Is that every night?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Boxofsockss · 24/11/2022 01:38

My 12 month old woke up tonight at around midnight and I’ve only just managed to get her back to sleep after singing and array of different nursery rhymes and children’s tv theme tunes and a nappy change ! Now I also have the task of putting her in her cot hoping she stays asleep!

ScottishInSwitzerland · 24/11/2022 03:03

I’m of the cuddle them to sleep school of thought. Mine are 10 and 12 now and have been sleeping without my help for a good number of years now. I don’t think they’re wastes of space. They get good school grades and glowing teacher reports.

My story isn’t particularly hilarious but I’ll add it in case you’re still awake and in need of ‘company’. My eldest went through a phase of wanting to take random items to bed with her. Her two best were a pair of oven gloves and a wooden spoon (different nights).

octoberfarm · 24/11/2022 03:58

My 4yp went through a super fun phase about a year ago of waking me at 3am multiple nights in a row to declare that he needed his shoes immediately/his brother was ignoring him because he was asleep/he was just feeling very sad/he didn't like spicy sauce/an assortment of other totally not remotely newsworthy complaints. My eldest used to insist some nights on going to bed in his bike helmet and light up sandals. You have my sympathies, OP, the toddler years are wild!

miraveile · 24/11/2022 04:03

Good god, OP please ignore the poster saying a 15 month old needs boundaries and guidance Jesus.

Your baby sounds delightful and you sound like you're doing an amazing job. They are nutters though aren't they! Mine is 4 and her demands come just before falling asleep now, to waste time. "I think i need some olives".

She too loved to sleep between my legs.

Orla32 · 24/11/2022 04:13

My 7 month old has just gone back to sleep after waking at 1am. Maybe I'm not setting hard enough boundaries according to one poster on here but we just sat up camp in my bed (kicked other half out - who is now sleeping in spare room very well (his parents must've set good boundaries as he is a great sleeper at 40 years old)) and I showed him shadow puppets on the wall - he was amazed lol.

Anyway, at 4am he has just gone back down and I dare to try and put him in his cot again so I will finish the crown and be up for my DD in 2 hours for school run.

P.s. this happened with my 10 year old DD a lot... we also co slept until she was around 4 due to circumstances - anyway, she's no monster, quite the opposite! Sound asleep in her own room and school parents don't hate her (plus she even eats dinner)!! A previous poster here clearly has never had kids or else they would realise it's not easy to parent and a 15 month old doesn't really have the cognitive ability to understand boundaries like that!

Snoopsnoggysnog · 24/11/2022 04:27

Mollythemoo · 24/11/2022 01:22

You are the adult. Please do not become what my sister did. You will utterly regret it !

It has ended up dreadfully, they are now 16 and 18. Total waste of spaces,massive attitudes and well what is the world going to do for them sorts !

She pretended to be their friend, for an easy life/ totally lazy parenting , let them dictate the rules, stay up all night, watch endless inappropriate TV, do not eat dinner , but just eat deserts and sweets, sort of mother.

You are the adult, you set the boundaries and the rules of your home.

My sister ended up being governed by her children. They are / have never been invited anywhere, school parents hate them.

Children need guidance, that is your duty. Please start setting boundaries, if you need support , find it .

A baby does not set the boundary, you do as it's mother. Else you are setting your child you fail!

Do not buckle. Get this nonsense sorted. Otherwise, you will go bonkers .

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

oh give over

OP you sound fab and toddlers are nuts. I had twin ones. Crazy! I did not have a lot of boundaries at that stage. They are well functioning, sleeping tweens now.

Paperdolly · 24/11/2022 04:54

Mollythemoo · 24/11/2022 01:22

You are the adult. Please do not become what my sister did. You will utterly regret it !

It has ended up dreadfully, they are now 16 and 18. Total waste of spaces,massive attitudes and well what is the world going to do for them sorts !

She pretended to be their friend, for an easy life/ totally lazy parenting , let them dictate the rules, stay up all night, watch endless inappropriate TV, do not eat dinner , but just eat deserts and sweets, sort of mother.

You are the adult, you set the boundaries and the rules of your home.

My sister ended up being governed by her children. They are / have never been invited anywhere, school parents hate them.

Children need guidance, that is your duty. Please start setting boundaries, if you need support , find it .

A baby does not set the boundary, you do as it's mother. Else you are setting your child you fail!

Do not buckle. Get this nonsense sorted. Otherwise, you will go bonkers .

It would be interesting to find out how you were parented. Was Mary Poppins your nanny? Spit spot!!! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

Doro371 · 24/11/2022 05:21

My toddler jumped up in the middle of the night and shouted at me to dance with him. He was on Calpol though and I took my chance to set some boundaries and did NOT dance 🤪

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread