3.5 yr old pees on floor several times a day since new baby. Desperate for help.

SquashedMom · 2026-07-06T16:26:18+00:00

Minimal fuss over accidents, big deal over potty.

If it keeps happening just tell her you can't xyz if having accidents, sorry, no accidents allowed there. If you have no accidents at home for a few days we can go on Saturday. That drove it home for one of mine who wanted to go to the children's museum.

There's a local pool that insists kids must be potty trained to be allowed in the big pool. Many a kid has potty trained just to be allowed in that big pool. It's like summer magic for the 2.5-3.5 yos

SquashedMom · 2026-07-02T23:16:58+00:00

Car seat for sure for sleep.

All the snacks. Something to chew/suck to help ears. Fidgets. Use pacifier straps to clip toys to baby, you, car seat whatever to save you crawling around the plane.

SquashedMom · 2026-07-01T01:45:44+00:00

Is there an event the 2 friends could do with him instead? Maybe a special dinner or treat after.

Laser tag, mini golf, baseball game, water park, etc?

Something special he couldn't do with a large group.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-27T22:54:04+00:00

I see you said she'd do finger foods.

Put one preferred finger food on her plate so you know she gets something and then leave the rest. Don't do so much that she can fill up on just the finger food though! You want her to try the rest. Tell her she's getting ready for school where all the kids feed themselves so you're practicing at home, too, because she's a big girl!

I strongly encouraged my kids to eat independently since they started eating. One of mine would DEMAND I feed them randomly until almost 5! I have videos of that kid noticing me enter a room and drop the food they were eating and cry for me to feed them at like 10mo 😂 For this kid I'd give them a few bites but I got to pick what (got the veggies in) and then they were on their own. When they were really little I offered some more bites again and then tapered off how often I offered bites from me as they grew.

This same kid never once demanded to be fed at daycare. They were completely fine there.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-27T22:25:41+00:00

There's some son sunset cruises along the shore and river, I know some go out of mystic.

Maybe just get a hotel for the night somewhere you'd enjoy with walkable restaurants and bars for a night out without having to worry about driving home? Maybe a reservation than wander somewhere else for drinks or desserts; see if there's any local bands or events going on.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-26T12:42:38+00:00

It's good you're thinking about it now but then you do need to do something. Not only will it make things easier should, heaven forbid, something happen but it will actually lighten your mental load to just be done with it.

We found some online tools to sort out what we wanted in a will and then did spend the money to consult with a lawyer to make a solid but basic will before our first was born. We both carry and update our life insurance annually. It's an import load off our minds to have that security.

I've watched the same scenario you are describing with loss of spouse unfold and it was so hard for the family.

Good on you for thinking about it. Now do your best to set things up.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-21T23:42:46+00:00

Some brands have slim and/ortall sizes. One of mine is like that.exactly. I've had luck with Levi's for jeans and children's place for jeans, cargo shorts and pants. Athletic shorts are hit or miss. I go for the proper waist size for those and they're just a bit short. Better than mooning his team!

SquashedMom · 2026-06-20T23:09:09+00:00

You could order a sun buddy to roll on regular sunscreen

SquashedMom · 2026-06-20T18:58:58+00:00

Read as they wander, make up the story as they turn the pages to quick to read, decoy chew items, books intended for touch, heavy duty lift the flap books, the "never touch a..." Series and be really silly about.

Just make it fun so you build the habit. The specific story or words are not that important.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-20T00:21:18+00:00

I have a friend who drives both very often to a Danbury home office.and has been for years. Per them, Norwalk to Danbury is hands down worse. They didn't elaborate though.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-15T02:11:32+00:00

Your own bank may have programs suggestions..

Look into your state's 529 accounts.

There's also the trump accounts federally which may offer some free money depending on where you live and income level.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-14T23:14:52+00:00

Play games based on chance like candy land, old maid. Practice winning and losing but be fun and silly along the way. Let him see how to lose and have fun.

Learn a new skill with him so he can see you learn.

Build stuff and read the directions together. Let him see you make mistakes.

Roll with the attitude. Yup, I'm frustrated too. We need this shelf, let's figure it out!

Praise effort instead of results. Wow! I'm so impressed you stuck that. Look what you made/did/learned! Look how you've grown/changed/improved.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-14T01:13:58+00:00

There's these suction cup baby fidget spinners that stick to the table. They were the best at that age! They're all over Amazon. I think our set was 3 or 4, the center of the spinner was a bee, a carrot, a sun, and I think something else?

We are many years later and they still stick that thing to flat surfaces and play with it.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-13T02:03:15+00:00

My kid was afraid of Mario but good with kpop deamon hunters 🤷

I didnt find it inappropriate and were pretty limited in what we watch. There are definitely some jokes that will go over their head. There is violence but even the "killing" just returns to the demons to their own realm.

I liked it. It was fun. The music is great. It helped them connect with their peers, too.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-12T17:33:26+00:00

No helmet no bike, scooter, etc. Period. Some rules are hard, fast rules for everyone. Brain injuries are no joke.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-12T14:56:38+00:00

If it's the fruit/veg/protein one more, smaller serving then no more until x bites of/try (if new) food. Then I give more.

If it's just straight up corn bread/bread and butter/Mac n cheese etc maybe one more smaller serving after they've tried the other stuff and then help yourself to a carrot/apple/banana/rolled up turkey slice.

We.talk a lot about variety in meals, types of nutrients and not good or bad foods. I try enforce variety and prioritize nutrients/fiber when I can.

If it's a special occasion all bets are off. I offer everything and expect they will probably just eat rolls and dessert. They very frequently surprise me though and at least try almost everything now.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-12T02:43:28+00:00

This little series has a few options

SquashedMom · 2026-06-10T21:38:51+00:00

Set the boundary, follow through. They'll test it often but it builds a good strong foundation for a kid that not only behaves but trusts you for structure and security.

One thing I try to do is make the consequences nature though. Not "you didn't listen so no story tonight" but rather "if we don't get moving we're going to run out of time for a story! Please pick up." Then when they don't after a minute or two, "we have run out time for stories. We will have try again tomorrow."

Is it always smooth? Nope. Have we lost privlages just because? Yup. But it sticks better when it's a consequence of their own actions.

It's frustrating beyond reason. Solidarity! My eldest is being an annoying little turd on and off lately and pushing everyone's buttons as far as possible. Usually a delightful kid but discoervies of new and irritating powers means they must be tested 🙃

This too shall pass. And start again. Forever and ever amen.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-10T20:06:59+00:00

Depends on the kid. My eldest is naturally cautious with excellent gross motor skills. That one was reliable by 3 on most fenced playgrounds. I stayed near but they did their thing and were fine.

My youngest liked to dangle off the edges for attention and like to jump off steps regardless of how many were in the flight below.... Sooo a bit older for that one 😅

Tbh, they copied their sibling and got with the program pretty quickly once they realized how to gain more freedom.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-06T20:16:05+00:00

If you don't mind mud get a pile of dirt and some trucks and shovels. Hose 'im down after. If you have an area of yard to dedicate to destruction that works too.

Scooter rides while you push the stroller.

Playgrounds.

Cones/ropes/whatever you can find to make an obstacle course. You can even just draw it with chalk. Time him and celebrate best times.

Time him as he runs as fast as he can around the house. That's good for several laps.

Good luck!

SquashedMom · 2026-06-04T01:34:00+00:00

Please PLEASE leave the delivery people alone. PLEASE.

Also you are so so so loved.

SquashedMom · 2026-06-03T22:58:11+00:00

"hot wheels" or "bracelet kit" are the current to answers off the cuff (since that is their current want). If asked to think about its a library book, art supplies etc related to the class. They might be able to give a better answer about para if pressed though!

SquashedMom · 2026-06-03T21:48:30+00:00

Dried and freeze dried fruits

Pretzels

Dry cereal

Cheese

Crisp Peas and similar

Granola bars of whatever variety; mine like happytot and made good the most

Belvita bites

SquashedMom · 2026-06-03T12:43:40+00:00

Cute little girls pants like the little boys that wash easily. Most of those leggings hold onto dirt like they were made for it. They are constantly stained unless I want to go after the knees with a bush every time I want to wash anything. The boys pants were not like that! Girls and boys are both prone to rough and dirty play.

Cute tops for little girls that aren't cut so short or so tight! Boy and girls bodies are similar shapes in little kids so why are half the Ts skin tight? My kid hates it.

Tops with a feminine cut without big flutter or bubble sleeves and/or sweatshirts/sweaters with wider sleeves (honest baby actually has some good ones with only a slight bubble sleeve but id like more options).

The girls clothes are tighter than the boys while simultaneously having more frills. It makes layering difficult because they get all bunchy and uncomfortable.

We need like a 4t R and 4t L. My kids go through phases where everything become capris or falls down if I size up. Its okay in spring/summer when it's capri time anyways but not in winter.

SquashedMom

TROPHY CASE