December 2012: the one where they're all potty trained. Sort of....

[Barbeasty]

The old thread was getting dangerously close to 1000 messages, so thought I'd better start this one.

Happy new year gang

Happy New Year to you all

Happy New Year!

A has looked at the photos and says he wants to go to London, and go on a boat on the Thames...... without DD!

Hi all. Happy new year.

Sorry I've been absent for so long. I'm really struggling on my own at the minute. It's been so lonely over Christmas and New Year and I don't really know how to snap out of it,

Happy new year everyone!!

Frazzled can you make plans to stay with someone next year? It must be hard to feel festive all the time with a toddler who need entertaining. for you.

DS was mad all day today. There are always loads of people letting of fireworks in the street here for NYE. Seriously, big things going "BANG CRASH BOOOOOOM" all evening and then every drunk fool out in the street just after midnight to put their own private pyromaniac wishes into practice. They, finally, were all done around 1am. Not appreciated when you have small kids.

Anyway I think DS had a nice birthday. We have him a wooden building set thing and a micro scooter - he loooooooves the scooter! I can see us needing to upgrade it by the summer .

Watching DD find her feet and potter around in her merry way I can see how physically advanced DS is for his age. A friend did remark to me when he was less than 18 months that he was very secure on his feet but I had no idea what was or wasn't normal.

DD is getting her very last teeth she keeps chewing her fingers, amongst other classic signs. A year ago today she cut her first tooth and now she has 16! Poor little mite. It's been a tough year!
Anyone got any teething tips? Or recommendations for a thing she can chew? I'm sure she will prefer her fingers; but this last set - the last molars at the back - are making her a bit unhappy.

Oh no, this year!! I'm so not going to realise it is 2016 until about march! And yes it might be early to make plans let alone think about Christmas 2016 , but I mean, perhaps an idea of what you would like to do and who with/where/cost/ is it worth the effort etc etc.

beasty T would most certainly be jealous if I'd taken the others out without her and would be asking for the same. She alternates between loving 'her girls' and being jealous of them - particularly with regards to my affections.
frazzled huge hug. I can only imagine how you feel. Dm was a single parent and says how hard Xmas was for her (she was amazing and so we never picked up on it - as I'm sure you are). She says she wouldn't even allow herself a drink for fear she might not ever stop. Please come and chat on here, we are only too happy to listen and help if we can. Ignore me if it isn't your thing but what about meeting other single parents? How are you feeling about dating?

I've not met any other single parents but I'm feeling good about dating WL but it's harder than I imagined.

I went on a couple of dates with a bloke. He was lovely. We got on ridiculously well. Stupidly similar situation - 10 y relationship, ended in April, 2yo, very very similar personalities and both a bit crushed by the past relationship.

Realised I liked him and I didn't actually want XP back any more and then my world fell to pieces as it was really really over.

I put myself back together n saw him again and then he went through the same thing! World went from under him.

Which meant the "keeping each other sane" plans we had over Christmas went out if the window and I've been left unawares with no back up!

It's not about him. It's about me and learning to be comfortable alone. Which I am usually, but this week is so hard!

If if had access to Valium today I'd have taken it. I'd have done anything if I thought it would help. I was a bit desperate when I posted earlier.

I've come to stay at my mum and dads house. I can't be alone

Oh no willyou sorry you're feeling so shit

frazzled I'm glad your mum and dad are there for you. Although it is so hard, it sounds like you actually have a really good handle on the situation. Don't be hard on yourself - this is a big deal. Could you use this time to start making plans to move on - join a single parents group, go in more dates, try to identify what it would take for you to be more comfortable alone - even if the answer is just time, I would think it would be useful to 'know'.
The weather sounds wild outside but I really must get out and go for a run.

Frazzled I can understand the emotions - I had a long relationship with someone who sounds similar to your ex dp. But I cannot imagine the added stress of being a single parent on top.
You are amazing! I really am glad to hear you are at your parents. I hope they take care of you as well as DS. X

Thank you all. Yep I think I am getting there and I think that it's a "feels worse before it feels better" situation.

I think I feel shit because I am over it and I'm getting ready to start a new life, which is the most shit scary thing ever!

I've not had J since NYE and don't get him back til tomorrow morning, which has made everything harder. I think yoga, a run and a German lesson are on the cards this afternoon.

But first I reached out to one of my work colleagues last night so we're going to go to Chester for shopping and lunch. She's a good un xxx

Good work frazzled

Frazzled I hope you have a lovely day with J! Happy new year to you both. I can really understand what you mean about feeling worse before it gets better. So I hope that means 2016 will shake up to be pretty dame awesome for you.

Frazzled. Hope J behaves for you this evening! Are you back to work tomorrow?

Nutella A is only just getting his last molar through now (was just breaking through when we went to the dentist on 21st Dec)!

A had his first proper horse ride this weekend. A 20 minute lead rein walk along a lane and through a field. He loves it.

Thanks Nutella.

Thanks Beasty he's arsing around a bit but always does at bedtime and I've not been up to exhausting him like usual.

Well I cried for about 48 hours solid and then someone turned the tap off and I just stopped. I feel much better now. I have eaten properly today after taking J swimming this morning and I think that 3 weeks without food was making the world a bleaker place. (I had pharyngitis and no appetite since). I may be one of the only people going back to work a stone lighter after Christmas and yes Beasty back to work tomorrow. I also appear to be the only person looking forward to it.

Beasty DS got his last molars when he was around 2.... I did not expect DD to be so fast with all her teeth

Frazzled so sorry you've been ill! That sounds awful! I have a lot of cake here (celebrating birthdays) if you want something I would be happy to pop it in the post sorry for all the spelling errors in my last message. I hope you understand what I wanted to write.

Glad you're feeling better.

And A is still up and playing by himself. Rather noisily..... I think the plan is to ignore him and go to bed!

Just had to run to A's room..... he'd put his radio on full volume anD hasn't worked out how to make it quiet again, he panics and screams instead!

Hopefully he'll decide to go to sleep now!! And hopefully DD will get back to sleep- although she has tonsillitis again and has been a bit fitful so far.

Beasty sorry I may have laughed at A turning up the volume and not being able to turn it down. I hope DD gets better soon!! Sorry, I have totally forgotten where you are up to with referrals for her.
Have you tried nose drops? We found helping to keep DS's nose clear helped his ears too. If they let you give them of course

Wishing everyone a quiet night!

Oh, and we have snow! Yay! I think

Not a great start to the year here. Long story short I Cannot take anymore of dhs fb addiction and the way it affects our lives. Told him tonight that I don't need to be married to a 14 yo so he can step up and be an equal partner or he can leave.
Also still really struggling to get a grip on the job. Rather feeling that I made a bad decision.

Oh WL. I'm sorry. How did DH react?

And how long has the job been now? Do you think it's teething problems or do you think it's time to look around again? No shame in that. You tried it and if it's not for you that's fine.

Enormous hugs to you. Everything seems worse at this bleak time of year

He was sorry and will change blah blah. Trouble is we've had this conversation before and he only sees it as a problem because it means I give him a hard time, not because it actually is a massive life sapping problem. I need to see some lasting change but if I'm honest I'm sceptical.
The job has been 3 months now. I will speak to my boss and see. I do think I really need to make it work though.
Thanks for being nice. I feel like shit and can't sleep. How are you doing?

Hope he sorts himself out WL. You and your girls deserve a present dad n husband.

I too feel like shit. I've eaten 3 full meals today though so I'm going to try and keep that up. I felt desperate over the weekend but back to work today and ironing tonight. Sad but it helps keeping busy.

Try to sleep my dear. Everything's worse after a sleepless night.