How to have better mornings?

[Clockticktock]

My toddler tells us he's awake by crying in his bed until me or DH goes to get him, always seems to wake up in a bad mood.

From then it's just one drama after another, breakfast is a nightmare. First its because he said he didn't want a crumpet for breakfast then decided he did want one when there were none left.

Next it's because DH has three weetabix and he only has one! So he's dropped to the ground and is crying at our feet screaming for a cuddle and I'm thinking there must be a better way?

Does anyone achieve harmony in their house in the morning with a toddler? If so, how?

Could he still be tired, if he’s waking upset? Not that I have achieved anything near harmony here! Toddler woke me by shouting he was all wet. Nappy had leaked. He’s spent the morning trying to trash his big brothers’ toys, pulling out the playdough and stickers. Has refused all breakfast but a banana so you are not alone and probably doing better than me!

Mine is like that if she’s still tired; I know it’s not the best advice but if she wakes up crying in her bed rather than just calling out I bring her into mine where she’ll normally sleep and wake up happier

My dd is usually only really upset if she's still tired or extremely hungry.

I'll take her to the toilet then cuddle her in the dark and hope she at least rests a bit more, sometimes she has a bottle of milk (which I prepare the night before).

Have you ever made overnight oats? You can flavour them with anything (just like porridge) and they're ready to go straight away if you've made them the night before. An easy, tasty, nutritious breakfast.

Failing all of those - Paw Patrol on Amazon Prime usually gives us some peace and quiet!

Oh god, I remember asking this question and even Googled it - "when do kids so crying when they wake?". I never got a straight answer so I thought maybe it was just mine that did it but she was my second and it's not something I remember from first time around!

Is he in a cot or does he have a gate on his door stopping getting him to you? #2 hated being enclosed from birth pretty much - she's 6 now and I suspect may be claustrophobic - so the sides were off by 14 months which helped slightly as she could come wake us on her own rather than screaming for help. She still did sometimes but not as frequently.

Is he definitely ready to get up when he's screaming or would he be happy coming into your bed for an extra 30-60 minute nap?

He has been waking a couple of times a night recently so definitely is still tired but he will never go back to sleep (even after waking at 4am last week!). When I enter his room he stops crying and wants to go downstairs.

He is in a bed but has a gate over his door but he rarely goes up to the gate just stays in bed crying!

Another day, another early morning, another tantrum about toast and hes currently screaming on the floor. It's just exhausting!

How old is he? Is he getting enough sleep overall (what time does he go to bed and does he nap during the day)?

My son as like this as a toddler. Just bloody grumpy especially on waking. His first word was no, infact that’s all he said for bloody months.

You have all sympathy op

I never found a way to deal with it.

Hes a completely lovey 12 year old now though. There is hope

Warm milk at once, almost before they see you. Push it round the door with a stick. Used to work for mine, gets the blood sugar up.

I used to leave a drink and a biscuit next to DS’s bed . He always woke up in a foul mood .

Nothing works now they are teenagers though..mardy little mates in the morning!

Mardy little mares...

Is it possible for you to have a lazy morning routine where you bring toddler into your bed for a while and they can catch up on some sleep before the day begins? This might help with the grumpiness.

If not, maybe try limited options when it comes to choosing?

@Clettercletterthatsbetter hes 2 and a half and no not enough sleep because he just refuses to nap in the day and wakes up 2-3 times at night! Also doesn't matter if he goes to bed at 7 or 9 he still wakes up at 5. I feel sorry for him but I've no idea how to help him with his sleep.

Glad I'm not alone! I might try putting everything on the table so he can see what's for breakfast and yes limited options and see if that helps!

Lots of transitions in the morning - out of bed, strapped into chair etc then the autonomy issues with eating.

Maybe try slowing it down a bit, story in room before breakfast, not whizzing about too much if poss.

We have a boringly strict routine with story in room, DH takes dd down to make breakfast, she has banana and milk in a high chair while he does that, I come down later with baby - she knows exactly what to expect. Might help?

On bad mornings I put the TV on and leave a snacky breakfast for her to pick at on the coffee table. Funnily enough as soon as I ignore her and start cleaning the kitchen and putting some laundry on the tantrums disappear . . . She also will never go back to sleep and refuses milk first thing in the morning!

Sorry OP sounds hard. Sounds like it’s the lack of sleep making him cranky. Does he ever day nap?

As for bed time if he wakes up at 5am regardless, I’d put him to bed at 6.30 if no naps! What do
You do when he wakes in the night?