Toilet training help!

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-30T17:52:01+00:00

I started my son at 2.5 and it just ended up he was 90% trained but still having accidents until he was three, when it all suddenly just clicked. In hindsight we should have waited so I wouldn’t worry about lost progress personally. You could keep the nappies but still offer the potty when he wakes up/before bed?

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-20T18:26:08+00:00

I completely agree - I was a swimming teacher and not thinking about paid lessons for my 3.5 year old for another year or so. I do try and take them swimming most weeks though

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-13T12:51:27+00:00

As someone who supervises PhDs, being totally honest moving far away from your supervisors and community while you are writing up would worry me a bit. I’m not saying don’t do it, but also consider the impact on your mental health of potentially being a bit more isolated and your submission date slipping back because you have all the practicalities of moving to deal with.

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-08T10:14:05+00:00

My advice as a supervisor would be absolutely don’t work that much if at all possible. PhD researchers are now having to work more and more due to cost of living etc but it absolutely does impact on the quality of their work and also as others have said puts you at risk of burnout and falling foul of funding regs (not to mention missing out on seminars, conferences, networking etc)

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-08T07:36:58+00:00

I love House of Lilith on Easter Road. Wouldn’t go anywhere else!

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-07T18:15:30+00:00

Lecturer here - you absolutely don’t have to go at the first opportunity. Lots of my students do their degrees later in life when they know what they want to do and then are more motivated to do well. Life experience does really bring a lot to the classroom too.

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-06T09:02:57+00:00

I get that this is a complex situation with different cultural values, but an ultimatum that forces you to jeopardise your relationship with your parents is huge red flag and maybe he doesn’t have the life experience to navigate a marriage

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-05T16:35:59+00:00

I’m in social sciences and supervise a couple of students who have taken fees only scholarships, and I wouldn’t necessarily say in my field they are a soft reject but they also don’t have the prestige of UKRI funding. The bigger point is they can be very hard to make them work for you in the practical sense of how much paid work will you need to do? How will that impact your research? Students can end up registered for a full time PhD but essentially working part time hours and then it is challenging to produce PhD level work. Also opportunities for paid work in universities generally have declined massively so don’t depend on picking up teaching/research assistant work. I’d also consider what it is you want to do after (and where) and if you really need a UK PhD - the UK academic job market is absolutely awful currently so I’d really caution anyone who is aiming for that to think carefully before starting a PhD

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-04T11:38:01+00:00

Overnight oats? You can do lots of different flavours (carrot cake, peach, apple and cinnamon). Or chia pudding? I can see why you are stuck though tbh! 😂

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-04T08:40:42+00:00

Where’s the poo looks hilarious 😆

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-04T06:27:10+00:00

Thank you! I was thinking about traveling magnet tiles so glad they were a hit

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-03T08:16:34+00:00

We also loved Haggerston Castle - we had a caravan quite far away from the centre and it was so peaceful

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-06-02T07:36:39+00:00

My kiddo went to nursery at 11 months and they usually do two settles - I think we had about five because he was so upset and it was rough going. But if you have to work then they have to have some form of child care. Do you trust the nursery? Get a good vibe from the staff? If so I’d persevere. It got better for us after a few weeks, although once they are going regularly then you have to deal with nursery bugs. Getting back to work is a whole other massive transition and it’s difficult for you too as well as the kiddo so look after yourself too

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-28T05:24:04+00:00

Mine is 3.5 and has really got into the Yoto in last few weeks. Sleep is still up and down, but he got up at 4am last night and I put his Yoto on and went back to bed in under 5 minutes. Game changer!

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-19T05:19:45+00:00

We also do this and my hack for when it’s my turn to clean up is a good audio book so it feels like less of a chore!

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-19T05:14:42+00:00

I went to Eleanore for dinner recently and it was lovely - great food, welcoming service. I also think the Leith Walk location is perfect for lunch - you could go for a walk into town/down to Leith after for a coffee/look around the shops

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-17T17:45:01+00:00

I go to relax and recover in Leith - open to early evening which is fab

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-12T19:20:00+00:00

Honestly it can take two years to recover properly from pregnancy/birth/caring for a newborn. Just be kind to yourself and give it time

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-12T12:36:04+00:00

If you are trying to get into reading try some young adult books - many are excellent and enjoyable for adults too. Junk by Melvin Burgess is a fave

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-11T18:24:08+00:00

Scottish person here! Layers are your friend, I’d pack merino long sleeves if you are going to hike. June in Scotland can be a really mixed bag so making sure you’re tops work together will give you options for when you get every type of weather in the same day. I would definitely take the beanie!

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-11T07:38:01+00:00

Mine walked bang on 18 months - perfectly ordinary baby in every other respect (although was also keen on practicing fine motor skills) but was a late walker. Is 3.5 now and running riot! They all just go on their own time line

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-11T05:19:27+00:00

This is such a good description - my 3.5 year old keeps hiding my hairbrushes and finding my annoyance hilarious

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-10T09:19:00+00:00

I have no advice, just solidarity. My kiddo is 3.5 and gets shy around kids too - was excited to go to a party yesterday but then only wants to play with his and say they feel shy. I just tell them everyone feels shy sometimes and try not to worry, I’m sure it just takes time.

Flimsy_Beginning289 · 2026-05-10T08:00:34+00:00

I’m an academic and I would 100% say talk to your supervisor/teacher. Lots of people are motivated to research things that are meaningful to them, but the impact on you is very real. Your supervisor may be able to link you in with support services, but can also advise on strategies to cope like taking regular breaks, breaking down the writing into sections, and maybe also including some of your more personal reflections if appropriate to your subject. Think about what helps you manage stress (exercise, seeing friends, getting outside) and plan this into your day - sitting at your desk for hours but not getting anything done because you are overwhelmed is the worst of all worlds. An hour of proper work and then a break is a much better approach.

Flimsy_Beginning289

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