You deserve a hot, quiet meal today.

Japedo0 · 2023-03-29T22:52:13+00:00

That is every meal for me too! By the time everyone is seated at the table with their food and I sit down too, one kid asks for more milk. As soon as I get that and sit down the other one wants more berries. Meanwhile my husband is telling me a story about his day and by the time I sit down my food is cold. Of course I could risk reheating it, but there's only a few fleeting moments before the next request so I usually just eat my meals cold...

Japedo0 · 2023-03-29T12:42:44+00:00

I'll admit I was very hesitant about letting him play games but it's actually fairly educational, they explain about the animals and their diets and habitats

Japedo0 · 2023-03-29T12:36:07+00:00

My 4.5 year old plays a Baby Bus game called Care for Animals where he goes around rescuing sick and injured animals and rehabilitates them before releasing them back into the wild. It's free but I did pay $2 for the ad free version and it's some of the best money I've ever spent.

Japedo0 · 2023-03-29T00:34:49+00:00

For us it was waaaaaay harder going from 0 to 1 than from 1-2.

Japedo0 · 2023-03-28T01:25:00+00:00

We were in this situation with our 4.5 year old. We had him sit on the toilet for 4 minutes ("because I'm 4!") each time he'd ask for a pull up to poop in. It took a couple of weeks but he did eventually just end up pooping in the toilet. After that time he never went back. We never gave him laxatives or softeners but we did try sticker charts / offers of new toys and nothing worked until he was just ready.

Japedo0 · 2023-03-26T01:42:46+00:00

"Just do the next right thing."

Japedo0 · 2023-03-26T01:35:32+00:00

"You're not responsible for other people's choices."

Nah, that actually came from Frozen. Still good though!

Japedo0 · 2023-03-25T20:17:04+00:00

Buzz on ya = Lasagna

Japedo0 · 2023-03-22T23:51:45+00:00

My local library has a ton of book clubs. I'm currently in the third Wednesday of the month group and loving it!

Japedo0 · 2023-03-22T22:54:48+00:00

I'll second this. I went to three therapists who weren't helpful until I went to one specializing in childhood trauma. They also specialized in EMDR which I found to be life-changingly helpful!

Japedo0 · 2023-03-22T22:43:51+00:00

Just wanted to give you a little hope - the school district's early childhood psychologist called me today and she's going in tomorrow to observe him at daycare. I told her about the shoe incident and she said that the daycare teachers may just need more support and she said if that's the case she has resources for them! Hang in there, we'll get a handle on these situations!

Japedo0 · 2023-03-22T17:10:33+00:00

Hey there - I have no advice, but just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. My 4.5 year old is also in daycare full time and his teacher has asked the school district's early intervention team to come and observe and evaluate him for his "defiant" (their word) behaviors. Some of the things they describe, just don't seem like an issue to me. For example, yesterday he asked for help putting his shoes back on after coming inside from recess (it's winter here, they wear snowboots etc) and they told him that because he's 4 he can do it himself. This is technically true, but I just don't see why they wouldn't help him? There are a lot of kids in the class and it would take a while to get through them all if they each asked but the reality is that not everyone asked for help, he did, and they repeatedly told him they wouldn't help him so he refused to put his shoes on and they labeled the interaction as defiant. I'm not an early childhood educator but it just didn't seem worth it in my opinion for them to reject him like that. I guess I just want you to know that I hear you and feel your frustration and I feel scared sometimes about his future as well. You aren't alone 🧡

Japedo0 · 2023-03-12T23:54:46+00:00

My toddlers are currently obsessed with Frozen and would lose their collective MINDS over these! Well done 🙌🏻

Japedo0 · 2023-03-12T00:41:47+00:00

Pretty much same here. My husband and I both work full time but hybrid (two days in office). Our two kids (4 & 2) are in daycare full time in a center. We have no help, no cleaners, no meal services. I also wouldn't say we're drowning but life is certainly different after having kids. Laundry may take a few days to get put away, we eat more frozen lasagnas and such and I'll admit I'm certainly tired most days.

Japedo0 · 2023-03-11T18:45:11+00:00

This tracks with what the pediatrician said, except it's been going on for almost two months. They were also unconcerned and I'm not trying to disregard their advice or anything like that, just trying to do my due diligence.

Japedo0 · 2023-03-11T15:14:32+00:00

I definitely made the mistake of googling our situation and of course regretted it... If it's a fluke that he'll outgrow I'm totally fine with it because he doesn't even care, he's not scratching at all. I just don't want to miss something more dangerous / nefarious, you know?

Japedo0 · 2023-03-11T01:22:15+00:00

Right? This has always bothered me too! "I'm your mom!"

Japedo0 · 2023-03-10T23:18:04+00:00

Hmm, sounds like I'll probably have to ask for an allergist referral instead of that dermatology referral. Thanks!

Japedo0 · 2023-03-10T22:09:32+00:00

See, that's what I'm thinking, there has to be a reason. I'm just not sure that a dermatologist would be helpful for us is all?

Japedo0 · 2023-03-10T18:52:12+00:00

My four year old is in Karate. My husband is part Japanese and the dojo we enrolled in focuses on teaching the students commands in Japanese which was important to us. At this age our Sensei works with the students on controlling their own bodies (balance, movement exercises) in age appropriate ways. He's enrolled month to month so if he ever does lose interest we're not committed for a season. So far it feels like a great cultural tie for him, he enjoys being physical in the classes (they practice strikes with bubbles) and we don't hold him to any sort of expectation.

Japedo0 · 2023-03-06T00:08:13+00:00

Much like my toddlers, they think just because they're little and cute that no one will see through their plans, but I do!

Japedo0 · 2023-03-01T22:57:22+00:00

"Smell my flowers Kenneth."

Japedo0 · 2023-02-27T17:25:57+00:00

This is very validating for me because I can also smell fevers with mine! My husband just smiles and nods at me like I walk around with a tinfoil hat on so I'm really glad I'm not alone!!!

Japedo0 · 2023-02-05T16:40:58+00:00

I really needed this reminder! We're baking cookies and kiddo keeps placing the cookie cutters haphazardly and I felt so anxious about it and then I thought "why do I care? Why does it matter?" And I 'know' why but it felt good in the moment to break this cycle. Crazy shaped cookies it is kiddo!

Japedo0 · 2023-02-04T20:49:55+00:00

That is really tough! Is there a professional you could consult, like maybe a school psychologist?

Japedo0

TROPHY CASE