CM CLUB - Need some tips for re-gaining control of my 4 x 2's and under!!!

[needtoregaincontrol]

Name changed as a little about this!

I've got 4 kiddies aged just turned 2 and under and normally all is ok but I'm just starting to feel like I'm loosing control a bit. One 2 year old in particular is a little monkey and is constantly doing the opposite to what they know you want them to do!!

One of the problems is getting this child to listen to me and hold on to the buggy whilst we walk to school (not far as park up and then walk down the road a little) and back. They won't hold on because they know you want them to, won't hold hands with the older child I ask them to etc. Well, the way round this is revert back to the triple buggy which means they're stuck in a pram again (they like walking, just don't listen! lol) I'll try this for a bit and then give them a chance to show me they are ready to do as I ask and we'll see what happens (this child is VERY clever and DEFINITELY understands - it's all about THEM wanting to be in control - of course )

The other problem is getting them all into the class rooms at school. When it was just my ds1 we had to get, it was fine as I'd leave the kids in the pram (if they weren't walking) and would show my face to the class and then he'd get all his stuff. His classroom is perfect as I park the kids right outside the door and am right next to them pretty much so can see, here and all that - no problemo But now I have THREE different classrooms to go to on some days and the location of the other 2 are not so great. I leave my own ds2 in the pram as I know he's fine, but find it hard with the others as I wouldn't leave mindees outside where I can't see them.

Today I DID get ds2 out of the pram (he'd been upset so thought it not fair to take the other 3 in but not him) and this is probably why it was a nightmare (ds2 is 11 months and was held on my hip, tiny 16 month old didn't want to get out of the pram and then didn't want to walk but although I can easily carry the 2 normally, one on each hip, I couldn't do that AND control the 2 x 2 year old. Soooo, I had dead weight on the right, trying to get 16 month old to come with me to mindees classroom and then 1 of the 2 yr olds freezing in doorways and stuff on purpose and basically finding it very funny that THEY were in control!!!).

Now as I said, I usually leave ds2 in the pram (thank god! lol) but this issue with this particular mindee needs sorting but not sure how. Unfortunately they're a VERY heavy 2 yr old so carrying them and another child isn't an option. And tbh, what I'm after is some clever tips to get them to 'listen'. This child is also driving their parents mad at home - classic 'terrible 2's' .

Any tips? Or do I just remind myself 'it's a phase, it's a phase'??? Whenever we play in the playground and then it's time to go, they never come and just fall onto their bottom in that stubborn 'I'm not coming' way. So me and the other 5 kiddies will walk to a point where they can no longer see us (but we're close and we can see EVERYTHING - through bushes) and then they quickly get up and come to us. So that definitely works outside. Just not so easy indoors when there are parents and kids rushing all over the place!!!

Right.....over to the experts

Looneytune, dropping off at school is a nightmare, we have arranged on occasion with two schools we drop / pick up from a designated meeting place (usually reception) so we drop all kids off (regardless of class / age) at one location and pick up the same way. The children are able, once safetly in the school to make their way to their own classes, quite a few childcare providers do this around here, and it's a norm. The school should be able to accomodate you and should make your life a little easier if they all get dropped off at the same time and same place, no need to take anyone out of the buggy then.

With the problem walker I tried this (please dont laugh) it worked, after trying everything else, when LO freezes or just sits down, plonk yourself down on the floor, dead casual like and chat about something else like can you see that cloud, or do you reckon it's gonna rain again, take out a book and start reading it, I swear you might look like a total numpty , but the one I had was totally gobsmacked said what you doin are we not goin now? Only did it the once . And if your'e bothered about lookin daft I figured it was better than having a screaching toddler having a dicky fit with everyone looking anyday.

that's cracked me up!!! This wouldn't have worked yesterday as the problem was I was carrying my heavy 11m old in one arm, a diddy 16 month old in the other arm so I had no arms for books!! Anyway, realised earlier that yesterday was the first time with this mix on a school run! From now on I'll leave my own ds in the pram outside and it's only on Mondays I'll have the other 3 (other days with that many it's a different lot and most are older). So fingers crossed it won't be too bad after all

I like the school idea but not so sure it's going to work? Sounds like they are worried about the children being so young and getting themselves to the right classes.

It's not actually drop off that's a problem for me as one of them always comes at 9.30am. It's the pick up time and this school is VERY busy with lots of kids and parents rushing around but there is one last idea which I'm going to run by another teacher tomorrow. Wish me luck

I do lots and lots of luck!

If you think that's funny you should have seen me skipping along the main street with two pre-schoolers wearing teddy bear ears ehhh the things you do

My DD (9 on Sat) reckons I'm THE MOST embarassing mam ever! to which I said not much embarasses me luv, so she walked with us to school wearing her pink octopus shower cap! on her head. Of course I WAS so but I would never admit it, as this wasn't embarrasing enough for me she said she would put her knickers on her head the next day (she didn't realise it was Fri, and I didn't remind her) just commented "well just make sure you've got some on your but too" this is one of our little jokes as once DH dropped her at nursery about 3yrs old at the time and a very indipendant miss she forgot to put her knickers on so had to wear some nursery spares. I often remind her of this

loonytune, can I ask what activities you do with them? Come September i will have 3 2yo and a 1yo and I want to sort out a routine

Sorry I didn't reply sooner - the joys of so many young ones lol.

All my mindees are girls, they are 16 months, 2.1 and 2.3. All these girls love anything baby related (but they constantly fight over it all, even though I have 3 prams, LOADS of babies, 2 cots, 2 highchairs etc etc!!)

Fighting aside (as this is the age!!)......they love:

Kitchen play with play food etc (I get them to make me things, name fruits, colours etc.....it helps their learning no end )
Dancing to children's music
Singing songs with actions (wind the bobbin up, peter rabbit had fly upon nose....etc etc).
Shopping with the shopping trolley, basket etc.
Stories (sometimes!!! mine prefer to pretend to read to each other but they all do like books!)
Drawing, painting, sticking, playdoh etc.
Playing at the park, in the garden, with water etc.

Puzzles is something that I can't seem to get them into right now HOWEVER I have a big foam alphabet and number mat and they enjoy putting that together (which is like a puzzle) and it's helped with hand/eye co-ordination, learning about colours, letters and numbers.

My own ds who is 11 months now just plays with the same stuff that's out (LOVES play food).

It's very hard work having so many so young BUT it's also very rewarding. Routine is VERY VERY important imo, I couldn't manage working 7.30am-6pm with 4 x just turned 2 and under if I didn't have a good routine in place!!!

This is my rough routine (say rough as some timings are slightly different each day and I don't want to list each days routine for you, just to give you an idea):

7.30/8am - mindees start arriving
8.15/8.30am - set off to school
(let me know if you need help with transporting etc ideas)
9.30am - back home by this time
freeplay whilst getting ready for group
Group (snack at group)
Back by 12/12.15pm
Make lunch as fast as can, wash all hands, sit at table.
1pm - start naps (I slightly stagger)
(most of the time they're done until school run but if not, just freeplay when they get down)
Line up for nappy changes (obviously done throughout day too)
School Run then play outside (take snacks & drinks - line all 6 kids up for this - they are very good with this as they know we don't walk about when we eat!)
Get back around 4/4.30 (depending on how long played outside)
4.30pm - Make dinner
5pm - wash hands & sit down to eat
6pm - pick up time

6-7pm - tidy/clean
8pm - kids in bed - phew!
8.01pm - grab nearest alcoholic drink and collapse in heap
9/10pm - remember not eaten and make dinner! lol

We don't do groups every day, when we don't do that we either do some messy play, baking, make playdoh etc. or go for a walk, to the park, feed the ducks etc.

Hope that gives you some ideas

Good luck

LT thanks sooooooooooo much tbh my routine is very similar, I have been trying to basically do an 'out of house' activity in the mornings, but i think the mistake i have been making recently is i was trying to do an afternoon activity too, its just too much for them. My mindees come september will be about the same age as yours, dd will be at school then, except mine are boys. will keep you updated