Toddlers "sigh"

[Krissy76]

How easy is it to get anything done with a toddler in the house? My dauhter is 2 and she wont let me do anything. I have been trying to knit, and crochet some christmas presents. And miraculously I have got one pillowcover done. When I knit she tries to get away with everything she knows she is not allowed to do. She takes the wool and wraps it arround her legs, she brings me books etc...
And I know if I start reading the book to her she will just listen for a little while, and then start doing something for her self. She does'nt want me to read or to play with her nessesarely she just does'nt like me giveing attention to anything else then her.Even when I do the dishes she usually tries to come in between me and the sink...
I wonder... she has such an ability to make me feel bad about ignoreing her, and it makes me feel like a bad parent, but then again I know she just does'nt want to share the attention, because it isn't as if I ignore her all day, she is being well cared for I know that, but why do I still feel so bad?

You feel bad because you're a mother - it's unfortunately part of the job

I@m impressed that you've managed even one pillowcover to be honest. I've pretty much ditched all my creative hobbies now I have 2 under 4s in the house.

I guess at 2 she's too young to be taught how to knit or crochet but can you find a similar craft activity for her to be doing whilst you do yours? DS1 is 3y 10m and I give him "writing practise" to do when I'm doing christmas cards and DS2 (20m) does some crayoning. It doesn't always work.

I can only echo your sigh.

Yeah, he,he. I have just had to hide all my daughters videoes because she loves them a bit too much...double sigh so much so that at once she has nothing to do she brings me a video, and goes teletubbies?muumins?amadamas(bananas in pyjamas)? So we are takeing a break. I was so much more idelistic with my son,but back then we lived in a much better environment for kids so it was easyer.

Kris

Krissy76, If you can face a bit of mess while teaching her, you can teach your dd to help you around the house. Ds is crazy about being allowed to do jobs like emptying dirty washing from the laundry bin into the basket, and loading and unloading the washing machine. Obviously, I have to supervise him, but at least I can get the washing done. We have had a few tiffs about why only I get to press the buttons on the washing machine! He also believes that taking the rubbish out and changing the dustbin bag is really fun, and I can even say, "If you don't do such-and-such then I won't let you help take the rubbish out," to get good behaviour. When I am cooking, I give him an empty saucepan and wooden spoon to play with, and when I am cleaning he has a rag too and follows me around wiping surfaces. He has also responded well to long explanations that because he made a big mess, now Mummy has spent ages cleaning and is tired, and in a bad mood, and doesn't want to read a story, but tomorrow if there is less mess, then Mummy will be happy and will read stories. Have you tried continuing reading the story to a teddy bear when your dd gets up, praising the teddy bear for being a good listener? I am not too proud for these games!