WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING WRONG!?

[user12345678910]

Ive got a 23month old. He usually naps once a day for an hour but recently hes been struggling with sleeping. It takes me 2 hours to put him to sleep and by the end of it i feel like jumping off a bridge!! Hes my only son im a single mother. So theres not much support. I just want a fucking break. Im so sick of this toddler stage. Im so sick of my life. I dont want to plead with a toddler to eat. I don't want to watch fucking peppa pig. I don't want to have to pick up shit off the floor everywhere i go. Omg what am i even angry at i dont know?

Im 21 and i feel like im just an ugly usless person just existing

DOES IT GET BETTER?

Yes it gets a LOT better.

When they can talk properly, mostly feed themselves, mostly dress themselves and are potty trained - all so, so much better. This happens somewhere around age 3, maybe 3.5 depends on the child. The TV gets better too (in the meantime I recommend Hey Duggee instead of Peppa).

My best tip is to get out of the house as much as you can. Less mess, less bored child, more chance of meeting other adults. At that age we went to playgroups if raining or park if not. But still felt like I was counting down the days till DC got older...

Hang in there.

Also is there any way you can get a little time off - even just an hour or two. If you know any other mums of one maybe you could have both DC for a couple of hours (mornings easier) and then she could return the favour another day? Do you have any family support?

Speak to your health visitor, she’ll be able to put you in touch with homestart or similar for some support.

It does get easier though

I have a 21 month old and a 3.5 year old. I know from my older child that this stage between 18-24 months is one of the hardest, they are so demanding and cross all the time and lots of it is to do with the fact that they can't talk properly or do things for themselves that they want to. My oldest son is so much easier and he started to get better pretty much when he turned two, I praying for the same with DS2 because he's a monster just now. I feel your pain xx

Yes it does I promise! Do speak to your HV. And what about nursery / playgroup? When will he be able to go?

Stop pleading! Take back your control.

Don't want dinner? No worries, don't have any. They won't starve and as soon as it doesn't get attention, most children don't bother any more anyway. My LG skipped lunch and dinner for 3 days before deciding that it wasn't so bad! There was always at least 1 thing on the plate she loved prior to being a possessed toddler and I don't do snacks. It's too much food for my child.

Go through the motions and doesn't want a nap? No worries (he may be pushing to drop a nap anyway)
Turn the damned TV off!!! Have it as an occasional thing. Use it to buy you time to achieve something specific but don't leave it on. I absolutely also recommend Hey Duggee (bbc iplayer) it's so so so much better than the bacon show.

Communication is key
"We're turning off the television after this episode"

At almost 2 ask him to help you make lunch!
My toddlers the same age and I ask her to "chop" up banana or her sandwich using her plastic Ikea knife. Getting involved helps loads.
"Dinner is chicken. Would you like pasta or couscous with it? Give choices but limited... choice questions, not the opportunity for a NO! But "would you like the red or blue cup"

We turn tidying up her toys into a game (I am not mary fucking poppins! I am a lazy cow who can't be arsed to deal with another set of cars or dolls on the floor) lots of praise for tidying up.