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Some advice about my 2 year old please?

8 replies

mermaid101 · 04/09/2013 20:41

My DD is 2 and my first so looking for some practical advice and some reassurance.

Firstly, she still uses her high chair ("normal" one with a tray/table bit that attaches at the front). I think she is getting too big for it and would probably prefer to be up at the normal table. The way our table is, the chair wont push right up to it, so I can't just take the tray bit off. She is a bit too small just to sit on a normal chair. Is there a sort of "half way" house option any one could recommend?

Since birth she has, for the most part, been a pretty good sleeper. However, she is now not falling asleep when she goes to bed and can wake up to ten times a night. We have not ever done CC or co sleeping. We have used "rapid return" i think it is called, where we go to her fairly quickly, shush her and leave the room again, with minimal interaction. When things have been really bad, one of us have slept on the floor in her room. Before, if she woke, she often just chatted to herself and then dropped off again, but it now seems if she wakes, she becomes very upset. What could have caused this, and are we doing the right thing?

Lastly, she seems to very much prefer my DH. He is her main carer. I work full time, he works 2 days a week. She goes to nursery on these 2 days. At bed time, she often shouts at me to "go away" and that she "wants Daddy". I know she is only 2 and doesn't mean it, but I'm finding this very hard.

Any advice for any of this anyone? Thanks!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
thedreamersmother · 04/09/2013 20:47

Get a booster seat to use instead of the highchair (don't bother with the straps if you don't feel she needs them).

Unfortunately I am not in a position to give anyone else sleep advice .

The Daddy thing is normal IME.

IndiansInTheLobby · 04/09/2013 20:48

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thedreamersmother · 04/09/2013 20:51

I meant to say, re her preferring Daddy, that my DCs have far preferred me (SAHM) until somewhere between 2.6 and 3, at which point their allegiance has dramatically shifted. Your time will come Grin. And then you'll really wish that it was Daddy she wanted at bedtime, when you see your whole evening disappearing before your eyes...

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HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm · 04/09/2013 21:04

We used this booster seat without the tray once DS was big enough, but there are others around. It was easy to clean though.

2 is about when imagination starts to kick in and so do the dreams/nightmares and also fear of the dark. DS did the same and I finally caved and got some lights and all improved. We used a star projector and a kids torch which converted to a nightlight.

DH and I alternate bedtimes. DS has always preferred me and has complained bitterly why isn't it your night mummy, complete with tears. But we still alternated. Bathtime together, then stories with 1 parent. Occasionally id have to go up to settle him afterwards. It is only now at 3 that he realises its not kind to say he doesn't want daddy.
Swim lessons and days out just the 2 of them have helped as has the consistency. He knows we alternate and if he doesn't want daddy he doesn't get a story. I also used to make a big fuss of DH in front of ds when DS cried and ignored him, "oh poor DH, don't be sad, I love your stories..."

mermaid101 · 04/09/2013 21:05

Thanks guys! Practical and reassuring. Any ideas when the sleeping thing might settle down. Its' been going on for about 3 weeks now. She went to bed about 6.45 and still isn't asleep! This is hard!

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BettyandDon · 04/09/2013 21:09

If she is still napping I would cut it out. My DD stopped at about 2.4 as we realised she was up till 9 or 10pm if she had even the shortest of naps.

mermaid101 · 04/09/2013 21:14

I did think about the nap. She's a bit hit and a miss with it. However, I would say she does seem slightly worse at the start of the night if she doesn't have it. Still, worth a try, maybe to keep cutting it out and see how it goes over the course of a week or so. The longest period she hasn;t had one is two or three days.

I'll give it a go. I'll give anything a go!

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birchykel · 04/09/2013 21:59

hi i had the same problem with sleep going back a few weeks. my situation was a little different I had recently had back surgery so my little girl didn't have me for afew weeks but once I was out of hospital after two weeks she became very upset at bedtime unless me or my partner sat with her and then she would be up maybe ten times a night and I would have either sit in her room or right outside her door. it got silly i had no sleep and have an older girl who has school so it made it difficult to let her just cry.

but being someone who has worked in childcare I knew it was separation anxiety and I had to reassure her. but also knew I couldn't keep doing this. it went on for over a month so in the end I had to get her a new little teddy and I told her he will look after her and she can cuddle him if she gets sad or worried and I had to let her cry and only go back in to put her back into bed.but it worked and now each night we get her teddy and teddy 'tells' her he will look after her and at the mo it still works. she goes off to sleep nicely ...for now.

Hope it all works out.
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