Does she need more nursery?

[t1a1c1h]

Our little girl has just hit 23 months and we are fully into the terrible twos and struggling. Every day feels like endless battles whether it's over turning off the TV, eating, bath time, getting dressed, being carried vs walking, or just trying to boss is around and make us do stuff (seemingly for fun?). This tends to be worst on a Monday when we've been home for 3 days over the weekend (I work so she has nursery Tuesday, Thursday and Friday). Essentially we are wondering if we should increase her nursery days to include Monday a we feel like she's bored at home after 3 days with mum and dad and just her own toys/ no other kids/ organised mess activities/ whatever else they get up to there. Do kids of this age get bored like we're thinking? We try to entertain her, go out and about etc but seem to be fighting losing battles. It's pretty miserable feeling that she doesn't want to be with us as. Or is this just normal boundary pushing behaviour we have to weather? TIA.

No small child needs any nursery. Nurseries are there to provide childcare for adults who work (and are often great places for kids to be, but not needed).

If it's not working at home then mix it up. Are you challenging her enough? Is she being mentally stretched? Often a child who isn't challenged is challenging. Is she getting enough fresh air and exercise? Are you using screen time over the weekend? Have a look at what changes you could make.

All that said, if you need a break and she likes nursery there is no harm in her going more often. Just be clear that it's you that needs the nursery, not her.

Sounds completely normal if I'm honest. See if you can get a copy of Little Angels by Dr Tanya Byron to help you with boundaries.

What activities are you doing with her on a Monday? Mine woukd have been bored stupid staying at home all day

I've got a 23 month old and it's a constant wheel of activities to amuse her. We get out of the house every day at least once for a walk, park, puddle splashing, soft play, swimming, baby gymnastics, play groups - she would go crazy at home all day and frequently we get her out of the house both before and after her nap, even if one of the activities is just the supermarket! It's relentless but way better than dealing with her totally bored within the same four walls. It has got slightly easier now she is in nursery two mornings a week and spends part of Monday with her grandma, but she's actually only gone for 10 hours a week so the rest is down to us and it takes a LOT to keep it going. Sometimes I'm just exhausted by it and gagging to be able to sit and watch a film with her. I gather that will be possible once she's older but at present she can't focus for 1.5 hours and I don't want to give her too much tv in any case, but once she has the concentration span for it it will be a welcome rainy day activity several times a month i would say!