Dear Parents of Toddlers,
I pride myself in knowing this blog is a resource for many of you that struggle with toddler mealtime madness. In fact, some of my most popular posts are what inspire me to keep sharing the real-deal. The mess. The food throwing. And yes, the mealtime wins.
Before I continue on my toddler rant… If you are new to Mom to Mom Nutrition then you might like some of these toddler feeding resources:
Table Talk: Tips and Tricks for Feeding Young Children
Mix n’ Match Toddler Meal Ideas
5 Ways to Stop Your Toddler’s Food Throwin
Lately my toddlers [oh my, I’m about to have 3 in the house in less than 10 days] have given me enough content to write beyond their food habits. I actually just created a toddler life tab on the blog! And if you’ve been around my boys within the past two months you why. Let me just fill the rest of you in on the Serbinski toddler happenings:
1. A certain duo will NOT STOP talking about, calling each other, or calling their friends and family the P word. Yes, the word that is their coveted private part. Anthony even started waving at people at Target and addressing them as THE WORD! Now yes, it was funny the first time, but now it’s become a little ridiculous. Just a little… the good news is I haven’t heard any teacher or camp counselor tell me they are using it in school!
2. Bedtime. Need I say more? Bedtime has become like a circus routine no matter how calm, peaceful, or routine-filled we try to make it. I probably give 500 kisses and hugs by the time their little eyes shut. I even think they are purposely losing their favorite stuffed animals before bed to continue stalling! Plus, the boys run in and out of their room no matter what is threatened [and yes we do follow through with our threats], no matter how short their afternoon naps were, and no matter how much activity they have before bed.
These are the big 3 right now. I’m sure in a few months I’ll have a second edition of Dear Parents of Toddlers. But for now, here’s what I’m asking of you:
What are your biggest struggles [beyond food] with your toddlers right now?
How would you address some of my struggles above?
Phoning a friend guys… mainly because I just want to know I’m not alone!
Your blog makes me so happy and I’m not even a mom yet!! Although, I know I will be bookmarking many of these posts for when my big toddler time comes!! You are such an awesome mom and those babies are sooo darned cute!! XOXO
Oh bedtime…or any time that involves sleep. Miss. Mia Mae will sleep for hours if you hold her. Otherwise? You’d think we were torturing her. She doesn’t even consider self-soothing. She’s also into EVERYTHING! At least she’s a big fan of eating! ?? You’re doing awesome, Mama!!
Naptime! I’m 26 weeks pregnant and the energy required to put my 2 1/2 year old daughter down for a nap is fading. She pulls out all the stops in order to avoid, stall, resist, laying down for her nap. You’d think I am asking her to do the worst thing ever. I mentally prepare and hold my grounds while not keyring it make me frustrated. By the time she’s finally asleep I’m ready for a nap too. On the weekend when daddy is home good luck getting her to settle down.
Oh bedtime with my 3 year old! It’s a circus that starts with a 90% chance of a toothbrushing related meltdown then a wrestling match to get pjs on after he pretends not to hear me ask him to help. Then books, which we can’t get through without 600 “why” questions… Seriously every line of a book gets a why some days. I’ve noticed that the more stalling, the more tired he actually is and I need to just get him into bed asap. Then deal with the one year old who was climbing all over us during the whole routine.
That said, bedtime is actually one of my favorite parts of the day to look back on, appreciating the creativity of the stalling tactics and sweetness of their tired emotional antics.
And some nights I get surprised with real peaceful easy bedtime routine for at least one of the two.
Omg yes the toddler bedtime stalling! My little girl just turned 2, and (similar to your boys “losing” their stuffed animals) she will hide (I see her do it) her lovey in her room and then go to her bedroom door and say she needs to go find it. It’s equally hilarious and frustrating! 🙂
I can’t narrow it down to just one struggle right now. I’m just glad to know I’m not alone with the middle child emotions. My #3 of 4 is always afraid he is going to be forgotten or shorted. He cries even when he gets something because he is sure he was last to get it or his is the smallest. And a congrats to you for giving 500 kisses at bedtime. After about 20, I cut them off and start turning into monster mom. Not a pretty site. Love the blog.
My current 2 and a half toddler woes are bedtime blues, because Dadday works late and she wants to see him. I want her to see him too, but he typically gets home at or after bedtime. So this entire summer she has been bunking with us and going to sleep when we go to sleep. But at nap time when Daddy is working she goes to sleep fine.
She is going through an, “It’s mine” phase. She says it when kids or adults say hi. Not too friendly of a greeting, but I know it will pass.
We have been having potty wars for the last year. She’s been showing signs of understanding the potty. She does very well urinating at home, but will not use public restrooms or any bathroom that isn’t ours. I have a portable potty seat, which she will finally sit on, butt still will not use the toilet. 8.She also refuses to poop info the toilet. But recently she willing say I the potty and pooped a little, but finished in a Pull – Up. Still a milestone for us, because she did it all alone and willingly. I was so proud.
I know it’s rough at times, but I know she’s improving and some of these toddler habits will one day disappear.
i tried to click on the different hyperlinks and they wouldn’t work. It doesn’t open anything. I’d love to read all of them.
I just updated it. Thank you for telling me that! Not sure what was happening.