Terrible twos / threenager support thread

[Belleende]

Hello all,

Thought I would start this and see where is goes. I am mum to 2 DDS. One 7 weeks and one 2.5. currently on mat leave.

My DD1 has always been a lively high energy kid, but has lately been incredibly challenging. Last week it took me 1.5 hours to get her into her clothes and out the door. I started a thread here and got great support.

There are lots of separate threads with good advice on, but I thought it might be helpful to have a go to place for help support and advice on dealing with the daily challenges of toddler wrangling.

My current challenges include, how to get dressed without a drama, how to manage transitions without meltdowns, to nap or not to nap, how to maintain sanity when toddler asks for a bath and then refuses to get in it, how to keep it light and playful when you are feeling just short of murderous.

Say howdy if you think this might be useful and we can go from there.

Sleeping She masks. So she pretends she understands but just copies the other children when she's told to do something. It's ok for simple instructions like "please wash your hands" but when they're asked to colour in in a particular picture with a particular colour DD isn't understanding and although tries to copy the other children she doesn't quite get it. She does get some 121 for communication but only 6 hours a week, which is 2 hours a day for the 3 days she's in,

Sleeping and Three, it sounds like you've both had (and have!) lots to cope with - sending you both I hope both your DC get the help and support they need. Amazing though how our little ones get their wants/ needs/ frustrations across despite having communication issues! DS1 points a lot or just drags me to what he wants.....

No idea how he will cope with potty training, it's not something I'm even considering at the moment. DS2 has given a few signs of being ready but on the whole they are content in nappies. I know it would save us £££ if they didn't need them but I don't think DS1 would understand what's going on, for a while at least.

Wishing everyone a good night's sleep - only took me an hour to get the DC settled in cots and asleep this evening - if I could get that down to half an hour or less I would be very happy!!

Ruby DD is asleep thankfully and DH is off tomorrow to make up for working the weekend so he can do the night wakings if needs be!

DD is starting to show signs she's ready for Potty Training - She sometimes says "Nappy" and points to it when it's wet, but it's not consistent. I know Nursery are keen to get her through it but I'd rather wait it out a few more months in nappies to be 100% sure she's ready, as I think waiting does more good than harm rather than trying now and potentially it going wrong. I'd save myself around £10 a month which isn't to be sniffed at but at the same time isn't a massive saving (DH gets a discount as he works for a major retailer!)

She's a resilient little thing, she defied the odds and walked aged 2 when we were told she'd be at least 3 when she did, she never seems phased by all the people who take blood or give her injections or just want to x-ray her. The nursery staff tell she's one of the happiest children they've ever had. She makes me so proud every single day.

*ThreeDaysAWeek she sounds like a little stsr. And although she's only masking atm, that's how she will learn to do it for real eventually.

DS had a bath last night and didn't scream. Normally even standing in the water bring out hysterics but he's been playing in the sink lots and soaking himself with splashing so when I stood him in the bath I gave him a cup to empty like in sink. Then when he was engrossed sat him down and he didn't fuss. Didn't think he would ever get out haha!! He even coped with me doing his hair. Poor thing was so tired after it all he was asleep by 7.45! Up in the night per usual and I failed and gave him teething gel, but he slept past 8 for once.

Your DD sounds like an amazing little girl Three ** you must be a very proud mummy indeed!!

Good thinking with the bath Sleeping! My two would have been happy to sleep in a bit this morning but DP has man flu so EVERYONE needs to know about it. At 6.30am. Accompanied by much sighing and groaning and sniffling. Aaarrggghhh!

Took the DC to playgroup this morning, all went well at first, then DS1 got into a tizzy about something and screeched and wailed. DS2 wanted more attention and they ended up squabbling I was the stern mummy telling them they would go home RIGHT NOW if they didn't behave! Chased up our Health visitor about the 2 year check when we got home as I'm so fed up of DS1 getting himself into an enormous tizz because he can't tell me what's wrong - they are trying to get me a cancellation for this week as otherwise it would be at least another two months before he's seen

Well DS is excelling himself at the moment. Always been fine about bed time and going to bed. Last night 'no im not sleeping' just got out. Wouldn't be talked back into bed and rampaged around the house till gone 9pm. Not sure what to do about this one! DD had her terrible 2s moments but never did this so it's new for me ..

Well we just had a play date.
Ds ignored 3.5yo except to pilfer his Mr Tumble Bag in favour of his own and then empty and insist on wearing it all date. 3.5yp took it all very well but sat on mums lap for an hour.

I think you jinxed me rubyslipper DS woke up at 5 today! He usually gets up at a reasonable 7.30.

Went to see nursery today, DS loved it...merrily ran off to the other side of the room with the big kids while I chatted to the manager. When we left he said ‘bye bye babies’ and had a little cry. Went home via the playground and now he’s asleep.

Unfortunately he’s asleep on me which foils any housework or dinner making plans.

Sleeping and Ruby She really is a . She's so funny as well which I think helps. If you sneeze she hands you a tissue from the box on the table .

Sleeping That's a great idea with the bath, glad it worked! Sounds like the playdate went well too, I've not risked a playdate with DD yet.

Ruby Hope you get a cancellation so your DS1 can be seen, it's frustrating when you know there's something wrong and can't fix it.

Early Would he stay behind a babygate? If DD won't go to sleep she's allowed to play in her room behind the babygate with lights off and door shut the rascal can open doors now! and she can put herself to bed when tired. She went through a phase a few weeks ago, but soon learnt she wasn't getting a story/tucked in if she stayed up until 9pm, so now is asleep by 7.30 again.

Camomila Housework can wait, I've not done any today as I've been at work. I'll get a bit done once DDs in bed, but I'm exhausted so it can wait until Thursday when I'm off. It's not much though, as DH did a bit today. It's just hoovering and a bit of tidying up of toys. DD loves her Nursery, she cried leaving today because "home no fun" cheeky little shit nice to know it's money well spent.

Nursery staff say DDs insisted on wearing her wellies all day today, they offered her shoes and she said "no" and went to get her wellies, to be fair to her they have Peppa Pig on and flash when she stamps her feet - I'd want to wear them all the time if they were my wellies.

Three he might do- I'll have to get one! It's a new very annoying phase of not wanting to go to bed xx

I have a 13month Old and was just starting to smug about his amazing appetite and self soothing for 13 hours sleep at night. You lot have knocked the wind right out my sails for what's around the corner! 😂

*feel smug

Play date went well because he blanket ignores other children and most adults lol

Newmummy you might get lucky!
I dream about getting 13 hours sleep. What's the secret? To be fair to the dts they are both teething and have awful colds so they are not sleeping well at the moment.

DD1 has always been a good sleeper luckily. She's been hard work today though.

I'd love to take credit for some big secret but I think I just got lucky in the baby raffle! Hasn't always been like this so enjoying it whilst it lasts 😬

Snuggly - dts?? I take my hat off to you!

Oh god, I have my first play date looming. The little girl and mum are lovely, but neither of them ever have a hair out of place, whereas most days DD won't let me near hers to tie it up, hence the feral look.

These people live on my street. if it goes badly there will be literally no escape.

Are they coming to yours?

How can it be that I get a full nights sleep but still feel like I was up 4 times? yawn

No we are going to theirs, my oh works from home (and they have had sone work done and I want a nosy)

Hahaha thats not so bad then, just offer to help tidy at the end

Hi all! Just had an operation and can't pick DD up for 2 weeks now it's horrible

Can't wait for her to start nursery think she needs it as does OH who is a SAHD and lets her watch tv all day!

Oh no Snoopy! Hope you recover quickly.

I have a splitting headache. The dcs have all been lovely today though. Dts still full of cold. Just waiting for DD1 to get it...

How did the play date go Belle? I am not a fan at the moment, keep waiting for one of mine to be a right pain which makes me on edge throughout...

Sending you best wishes and Snoopy. My OH would be exactly the same if he was a SAHD... the DC's only activities would be watching TV and visiting his mum! And the second would only be so she could look after them for a while whilst he watched TV in peace!!

The HV has given me an appointment for tomorrow for our overdue 2 year checks, it's a last minute cancellation which is good as I can raise all my concerns about DS1, but does mean that I have two enormous questionnaires to fill in this evening one of the questions is 'Does your child do what you ask him to do?' - not sure if the people who design these ever actually deal with toddlers...