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.

Oh Belle,can DH take a long lunch so you can nap?

DP hasn't taken both of the kids out at the same time yet on his own. The baby hates the pram, will only go in the carrier and the toddler will only walk. This weather is not the best for his first trip out the paths are really icy.

I can make do on relatively little sleep, as long as I get one uninterrupted 2.5 to 3 HR block, but hasn't happened for a while, with little to no sleep after 1am for 4 nights now.
Just hooing for a good night tonight. First feed now, so we shall see.

I am hosting my first playdate tomorrow... What could go wrong?

Haha leave the other mom with all the kids and nap.

I just meant DH have them downstairs, you nap upstairs. There for emergencies might help you sleep better. Make sure he is pulling his weight x

I hope you got an okay nights sleep last night Belle sleep deprivation in horrible.

Ruby I feel for you, my best mates main cause of arguments with her DP is around him WFH 'to help' but then apparently the kids are too noisy...

I'm getting a bit of cabin fever with the snow, we've been out everyday this week but realistically you can't really go play in a blizzard for more than 30m at a time with a toddler. DS is being a nightmare for going to sleep as he hasn't been having his usual run arounds (all those sayings about toddlers being like puppies are true in my case!)

Trains permitting my mum is meant to be visiting. Hope she doesn't get stuck!

Ah yes Camomila, DP says that too now - "how do you expect me to get anything done with the DC around?" - then in the next breath he'll ask me why I haven't done this, that, the other...

How was your night Belle? I had a 3am "Mummy!" call from DS1, who'd managed to wee through his nappy and wet his pyjamas, sheet and mattress got him dry, changed, clean bedding - then he faffed around for THREE HOURS before finally going back to sleep. Then at 6.30am DS2 piped up with "Mummy! Poo!!"...

Aarrrgghhh. Plenty of snow here but Preschool is still on, thank goodness - sent them off grumpily wearing World Book Day stuff!

I got some sleep and feel like a new woman. I hosted play date complete with make and do activities. DD didn't disgrace herself too badly (slight issue with sharing her favourite treats). Booked a holiday, had a shower, feel human. All on 3 hrs of sleep!

Go Belle!!

DS1 had an enormous screaming tizzy when we got home from Preschool and had to be manhandled into the house. He doesn't like snow so chose to show his displeasure by... refusing to come in out of the snow

We've been in hospice day care all day, he's shattered as he basically didn't stop moving and I got some study done. Lots of lovely comments about how smart and lovely he is. He's now napping whilst I have coffee, and I know I'll pay for it later as DH is out but he's sooooo chubby and cute when he's asleep

Look at his pouty lips

Hope your evening/ bedtime went ok Sleeping and you enjoyed a break at nap time... Little Sleeping looks like a cutie

The DC were going to visit MIL & FIL this morning, but Grandad has man flu, hence I'm trying to entertain two toddlers with cabin fever! We'll try a little walk soon but DS1 may go into meltdown again...

Took DH 2 hours to get home so we were running late for dinner, he went up 30 minutes late and went down 30 minutes late. DH did it though as he was home so late

W have little snow bit wins still high, not sure of to take him out or not

Our walk was cancelled as DS1 had an enormous tizzy before we got past the doorstep. Sigh.

Will pop them in the buggy at naptime and go out before I go insane...

They knocked a big bag of Kettle Chips on the floor earlier and are now demanding to eat every single crisp!

Well it saves on tidying hahah

Please someone send prosecco and chocolate... the DCs have been utterly horrid since their nap. Can't do anything without them squabbling/ tantrumming

Currently having 10 minutes peace courtesy of Peppa and George...

Took me 3.5h to get home today! Poor DM looked completely frazzled when I got in (she looks after DS on Fridays while I'm at uni)
I asked DS if he'd been a good boy for granny and he said "Oh dear!" in a telling off type voice. So no then

I'm sending 'snow melty' vibes to all! Think all the DC are going stir crazy!

That's crazy Camomilla.

I'm off to Chester on public transport, I am officially cuckoo

How did your journey go Sleeping? We had rain here today and the snow is going, thank goodness!!

It sounds like your DS was a handful for your DM Camomila and what an awful journey you had!

DCs not too bad today, DP & I took them into town to run errands, think they were just thrilled to be out of the house and not absolutely freezing! DP still has a bad back though - apparently this means he can do 0% of the childcare whenever he feels like it, whilst still being well enough to go to the pub this evening...

Not too bad. Ticket lady tried to not sell me a ticket at Wolverhampton and trains were awful, late, cancelled etc but no snow in Crewe or Chester. Coming home was easy and the few minutes delay on the second train meant I caught it and got home earlier.

Nice cocktails and food

Cocktails!! I am so jealous! Haven't been out for drinks with the girls for over 3 years now

Snow all gone here. I'm very relieved!

I only have the one child and DH is fully trained in how to keep it alive. The first time I went out post baby, probably at just under two years, my NCT friends and I got in about 3 am.
Also went out with the mums from my special needs group and we got home a similar time.
I'm basically the corruptive influence...

get to Brum and I'll take you out drinking :D

We finally have nursery confirmed for DS, starting next week with a 121. I don't work because of his additional needs. I feel like i'm abducting responsibility

Throwing himself on the ground in the snow/mud/puddle when he doesnt want to do whatever we are doing/go wherever we are going/something completely random I cant understand and yet has annoyed him deeply......... then getting hysterical at me because hes cold/dirty/wet and screaming over and over 'IM COLD/DIRTY/WET MUMMY!!'

yes, yes you are because you just threw yourself on the ground....................... :-(