Got an 18mo (or thereabouts) and want to swap war stories

[smellsofsick]

What an interesting age! DD is either really sunny, eating like a horse being hilarious or refusing food and clinging like a limpit. I can see why there are so many toddler taming books out there now.

Today, I think we're back in the teething phase and I can't put her down to make a cup of tea. Not complaining mind, just be reassuring to hear any similar stories and any top tips. I'd hit the gin but I'm also 11wks pregnant with DC2. Why, I ask myself, why?

Carpe that's my worry, if DS sees a way to escape from bed he will do!!!

On a positive note though my DS seems to have woke in a relatively good mood, we shall see how long it lasts

lollipoppi he was fine going down, didn't escape - but he's waking in the night with teeth pain so he got out to come find us

Other than that, he loves his "big boy" bed!

I have one of these too! DS 19months. He is a real jekkyl and Hyde atm. I also Thank Goodness for 7pm!
I am so glad to read it's not just my DS. I was putting it down to teething but also think it is some of the independance stuff too. I can't seem to entertain him either. Took him out the other day to go to the park but he just wanted to be carried so we came home (park not far but I couldn't carry him there -and probably back too as have hernia!) He's gone to nursery today and was happy to go off waving goodbye, a difference from being at home every other day and calling Mummy, Mummy, Mummy.........at varying decibels until I stopped everything to play with him!
He's probably glad to have a break from grumpy Mummy!!
Don't have any tips I'm afraid but will be watching to see if any of you have or just drinking the alcohol for those of you pg with another DC.....I'm afraid I can't even think of that right now!!

Oh yes. I'm counting down until Jan 2014 when DS can start nursery...

If I haven't killed him first!

DS pulled out penis from nappy, peed down leg and then ran through whole house

My ungrateful little darling has also begun clinging onto his CM all lovingly when i go to collect him and refusing to come to me. I am trying very hard not to take it personally.

CM - "he's been lovely, a real little sweetheart as usual."

We get into the car and all hell breaks loose. The volume dial on the car radio comes in really handy these days, although most people look at me like a girl racer at the seaside.

yy to all these. DS is 18m and is like a caged animal at home. I so wish I could afford to put him in nursery a few mornings a week. He'd love it. I really, really struggle to entertain him at home - he won't settle to anything. When he reaches meltdown in the afternoons, I make him a snack and stick him in his cot to watch mary poppins. Gets me 45mins peace, after which I feel guilty. Ah well.

Crazy crazy toddlers. Has anyone read any books about this stage? Most of the time I muddle through and talk to mumsnet friends but if there's anything really practical, rather than wishy washy, I'd be quite glad to have a look at it.

Today DD is pretty happy but refusing food and trying to sneak it to next door's cat. She is also singing some kind of song to her shoes. If she was an adult people would avoid her in the street.

Lunchtime nap can't come soon enough. Any other pregnants suffering with morning sickness? I could probably whinge about that for a bit too.

Conversation today

Lady gives DD a free sweetie in a shop.

Me: Ooh, thank you! Say thank you, DD...
DD:
Me: Say thank you to the lady, DD
DD:
Me: DD, will you please say thank you?
DD:
Me: DD, when someone gives us something or does something nice, we say thank you. Say thank you, DD.
DD: no.
Me: Say thank you!
DD: no.
Me: Say. Thank. You.
DD: no.
Me: oh for goodness' sake! Say thank you!
DD: googess sake! Googess sake! Haha! Googesssake! Googess sake! Haha! Googessgoogessgoogessgoogess!!

The woman was dying laughing by this time. Googess sake has continued all morning.

Hello, I'm coming to join in with my 19mo DS.

He has also given up sleep... except for yesterday lunchtime, when I was at work and DH let him have a 3hr lunchtime nap, until 4pm, and therefore he wouldn't go to sleep at bedtime. We ended up downstairs watching Springwatch together (DH had conveniently gone out), he still complained when I took him back upstairs and didn't finally drop off until 9.45pm.

He tried out tantrums a few weeks ago but seems to have parked them for a bit, thank goodness, and with food he eats anything happily (except for when he doesn't) but it's the choice thing that he is struggling to grasp, it usually goes something like:
Me: would you like some fruit?
DS: da (yes)
Me: what would you like? Apple? Pear? Blueberries?
DS: bapple
Me: you'd like an apple?
DS: no
Me: oh, ok. A pear then?
DS: da. pear. no.
Me: what then?
DS: bapple
.......and so on. It's my own fault, I should just give him an apple and let him get on with it!

And me! DS is 16 months, adorable and infuriating in equal measure. Has been teething constantly for the last few months, we have the big back teeth through, but he's constantly chewing his fingers, or his comforter, poor lamb.

He's also learned to bribe - singing twinkle twinkle to him this morning, and everytime I stopped/changed song, I got a kiss, followed by "MORE MORE".

Anyone elses got a little favourite playmate? He and a little girl at nursery are inseperable. He is constantly shouting for her, they sit together at story time, hold hands, and keep kissing each other! She's going up a level next month (is 6 months older than DS), and I think he's going to be heartbroken ... :(

Thanks for making me feel sane! DD actually had a good nap today and has eaten a decent lunch. Let's hope this leads to a decent nights sleep and a more content little girl. I can live in hope!!

Hear hear! My 18 month old DD has decided she no longer wants to sleep naps at home! On occasions it has taken me two hours to get her to sleep...

She used to go down really easily.. She goes to nursery 4 days a week and goes down for a nap there really easy! So why the battle at home!?

God this thread is brilliant. Was wondering to myself today about where these people are that have difficult/exhausting/wonderful toddlers. It cant be jut mine. My 22m DS has also regressed with stairs and wants to be carried everywhere.

What drives me nuts tho is the constant "Mummy mummy mummy mummy mummy mummy" whine whilst I'm getting reading in the morning as fast as humanly possible. It doesn't matter what I say in between, "yes darling what is it, are u brushing ur teeth nicely" etc it just continues. Endlessly. Ugh.

And don't get me started on meal times. I cannot comprehend how something loved one week gets rejected the next. I do everything in my power to not appear bothered or offended... even if I twitch slightly...

On a positive note, he is grabbing/jumping on other children less frequently and sang a lovely song about iced buns in the supermarket queue today!

Oh and also pregnant with 2nd,

DD (16 mo) is behaving pretty well today, but barely slept a wink last night . And she won't sleep in her cot, just likes to share my pillow and pull my ear all night. Also pg with DC2 (14 weeks). Tis all good fun .

Oh thank the lord for all of you! DD (32mths) and DS (16mths) are driving me crazy today! DD is yet again walking around half-naked (lower half) and keeps diving head first off the sofa then complaining she's hurt herself. Every time I ask her to do anything she pouts and shouts "I don't want to!!" in my face. DS decided 2 weeks ago that sleep is for wimps and if his sister isn't eating dinner then neither is he (though DD doesn't then feel the need to feed hers to the dog like he does) They have fought incessantly all day with him pulling out handfuls of her hair whenever he's not getting his own way. I have just put him down for a nap, despite this meaning he now won't go to bed at 7pm, because I can't take any more and am waiting for it to be wine o'clock!

Breakfast was quite nice this morning - until DS decided to pour milk everywhere...but at least he ate the cereal first

I've sent him pasta for lunch today (he goes to my DM's) but who knows whether today has been a pasta day or not. It's very likely that it all ended up on the floor.

Anyone else have a problem with stories at bedtime? This was the seen last night:

Me: What story would you like?
DS: Roar

So, I pick the book up and he pushes it away, arches his back and starts to cry! So show him another of his favourite books and he does the same. Manage to find one that he wants to read and then we repeat the process with Roar again...aaaarrrrggghhhhh!!!!!

scene not seen

I've got a 19 month old and am 13 weeks pregnant, snap!!! I am feeling exactly the same way, last few days were limpit, clinging to my leg in the kitchen and having to carry him everywhere, today not so bad but still semi-limpet (I can go to the loo for a minute without him yelling), off I go to read back on all the posts, I just had to say....I'm in exactly the same boat and shalling be following this thread with great interest.

I have an 18m old DS, who despite having said Daddy at 11 months, and having quite a few other words (and an array animal noises) doesn't say Mummy. Am trying not to take it personally...

Inthesleepless - I take it as a positive at 7am when DS is shouting dada dada dadadadadada I gently wake my DP and and say "he wants you" while I have another 10 mins
My little monster was good this morning until I went food shopping, and decided to throw a wobbler mid shop as I wouldn't let him put (throw) the eggs in the trolly ! - thank the lord for online shopping!!!
Love him to bits but roll on 7pm!

Oh and has anyone else's perfected the art of lifting their legs up when you try and put them down! I literally can't even shake him off, it usually ends up with us both on the floor (embarrassing when in public)!!!

Yes mine do that lifting the legs thing too, hate it.
And DS says 'daddy' clear as day but 'mummy' sounds exactly the same as 'dummy' 'monkey' and 'Lemmy' (our dog!) but I agree it's useful when he wakes in the night!

Yes to the legs thing. Dd2 also has perfected holding her arms up at the same time so she slides out of your hands.

Hello everyone! Late to the party but so glad to have found you!

Another one with a totally gorgeous DS, who can be the biggest tantrum-throwing nightmare ever. Trying to get him in his car seat if he doesn't feel the need...arghh! How can a 19mo be so strong?? Handing me food, saying "no", and just before I've taken it, chucking it at the wall/radiator/furniture/floor, with a positively evil look on his face ; twisting and screaming during nappy changes and poo going everywhere....wanting to be carried whenever I need to actually do something, like cook him a meal.... Oh and I'm 21wks pg! He finds my stomach hilarious

And (more whining), Dada is his word for me and his father. Sulk face.

Nice to offload!