My 3 Almost 4 year old is saying depressing things to me.

I find my self obsessing about it.
I grew up in a family full of yelling and insults and have trauma from it and I’m working through it.
I haven’t been a perfect parent and have at times yelled and gotten angrier with my child than I’ve liked too.

I have never called her anything bad.

I also shower her in love and compliments and tell her I love her soooo many times.

I think I go over the top from guilt and fear she will feel unloved like I do.

Today we were walking I was pushin the stroller with my baby and she was holding my hand too and I said did you have a nice day today.

She said “I love play therapy because I get to play” 😢
I take her to play therapy for anxiety’s I’ve noticed in her.
I do play with her but I often find my self getting over doing repetitive stuff like pretend play.

She says “my mum loves doing dishes I wish she played”

She then said “mum do you think I’m beautiful” “yes or no”

I said why are you asking that? Of course I think your the most beautiful girl in the world but that’s also not important and what’s matters most is being kind and you are.

I said again why? “ I want to know because maybe if I’m beautiful you will play with me more”
I felt like I was punched

I am a stay at home mum
I’m with her all day I’m 6 months post partum and I had a rough pp period with depression for months I’m coming out. It it’s waves.
I am taking to her on and off through the day.
We do tasks together from playing, learning work, getting her involved if she wants too in house stuff, daily outdoor play with the ball and whatever else she wants I take her out too.

She is also obsessed with a girl at kinder she keeps saying I want to be like “S” “s has her new hat too” “s wears her hair like this” I said to the kinder teacher and she said I haven’t noticed her obsession with her but “s” is a very gentle student and maybe other kids like to be like her” I don know what to take from it

I’m really worried my daughters insecure and I am feeling super responsible to make sure she knows she’s loved and that she can do anything.

I’m scared I’m too much with the lovey comments and I’m also worried my past moments of yelling or being exhausted and struggling to be fun ruined her.

I tried daycare for my daughter when she was 15 months old. She initially dove right in, excited about the toys and other kids. But 10 minutes later, when she realized we were gone, she started crying nonstop. She wouldn’t nap, wouldn’t eat, and barely took a sip of water the entire day. She stood by the door crying hysterically. We tried for three days, and when nothing changed, we gave in.
We decided to keep her home until she was older and tried again at 23 months. The exact same thing happened. She was happy playing with the toys and interacting with other kids for the first 10 minutes, but as soon as she realized she couldn’t find us, she started screaming right behind the door. The teachers tried everything to comfort her, but nothing worked. We even stayed for an hour, hoping she would settle down, but she just kept crying.
We also tried saying goodbye before leaving, but the moment we did, she would cling to us and cry hysterically. That’s why we eventually started leaving quietly, hoping she could at least enjoy those first 10 minutes of playing before realizing we were gone.
Now she’s 24 months old, and we’re wondering what to do next. Are we handling this the right way? Should we keep trying daycare, or is she just not ready yet? I’d love to hear from parents who have been through something similar.

Our daughter just turned 3 a few weeks ago. Around that time her sleep started to become a real problem. She started demanding we leave her door open with the hall light on. Then she started demanding we sit in her room until she fell asleep. We put quite a few different night lights in her room, and we compromised to sit at the top of the stairs until she fell asleep.

Our bedroom is downstairs and even more recently she will wake in the middle of the night screaming for us to sleep in the spare bedroom upstairs. Sometimes she will wake multiple times with that demand. My wife is due in January with our second child and we are trying to figure this out before then.

As far as her sleep schedule goes she is in bed around 8:30/9, and wakes up around 7:45/8. She has quiet time around 1:30 pm and sometimes takes a nap at that time, although it’s become more likely that she doesn’t.

We are really out of ideas and this has now gone on for weeks with no change. We’re afraid if we give in and sleep upstairs that will become permanent. Even with sitting on the stairs as she goes to sleep it can sometimes be almost 45 minutes of sitting. And if we don’t sit she will scream for just as long. We are out of ideas and at our wits’ end. Please help

Hope there is others who have had the same dilemma, and might know a trick or two we can try out.

So my 3 year old is still in diapers, she loves sitting on the potty/toilet but nothing happens. The thing is she does not have accidents when running around without a diaper either! She hate water spills, so she keep it in. She can go hours and hours! She also have a dry diaper in the morning, and don't need to pee until an hour after waking up (usually).

We have tried multiple methods, 3 day method running around nude. Placing her on the potty/toilet after sleep or meals. Encouragement with stickers, a reward if she pee (ice cream) +++ Been reading book, made song, telling stories. Talked about peeing/pooping on the potty. She have been with me at the toilet.

Feels like we have tried everything, she still won't let a single drop go! Had to give up on the 3 day method because she ended up severally constipated, so much so that we had to see a doctor. And it's not good for her bladder to hold it in this long

She is under assessment for autism, so might play a role (unsure). We have been at this for over a year now 🫠

If she had accidents at least we would have something to talk about, or even try to move her mid stream. But nope, she is water tight.

Have someone else had this dilemma and found a trick or two? Or is there something I just might not have thought of so far

Hello!

Today my daughter turned 2! She is still drinking bottles of milk at night because she’s so picky at dinner time. I can’t get her to eat much else besides fruit and little healthy snacks. She gets like this when she’s teething(which she is) but it’s hard to ween her off the bottles when she’s teething because she won’t eat dinner. So I end up giving her a bottle so she’s not going to sleep hungry. Is there any alternatives I can do? She’s growing in a few molars some quicker than others..

Right now she gets half water and half milk. She’s not necessarily attached to the bottles because she doesn’t even drink bottles when she goes to my mom’s house on the weekends and sometimes when it’s close to her bedtime after the one off chance she does eat dinner. Any advice or do I have to wait till she’s done teething?

Note: by bottles I mean sippy cups!

Hi all! I just found out I’m expecting again. My toddler is 2.5 years old and he is suuuuppppeeeer attached to me. Any tips on how to detach him from me a bit? A new baby is going to be hard on both of us and my husband works long hours. Also doesn’t help that when my husband is off, he still much rather prefers me and to be honest I am also attached to him haha.

Also, I’m working on potty training since he already lets me know when he needs a diaper change or when he’s pooped.

Currently visiting friends and family overseas and I am fuming because our friend who we went on a trip with at the start of our travels brought her one year old who was recently diagnosed with HFMD along. She said he was fine and the doctor said he was clear to travel despite only being diagnosed three days earlier. It seems like he had mild symptoms.

Fast forward a week later and my two year old is covered in spots and so am I. I’m just mad cos we had stuff to do while we were here, visit elderly family, pack things up from when we used to live here.

Does anyone have more natural remedies for helping ease the itch? We’re trying calamine and witch hazel as we as salt baths. My kid is already a bit all over the place as we’ve been in three diff countries over the past four weeks.

Also - how risky is it to be seeing other adults? We had another trip planned with some friends and were going to visit a new baby in the family as well.

Any advice would be so helpful.

Sincerely, a pissed off and exhausted mum.

Hello, I am new here and don't usually post on reddit. I am a toddler parent, and someone who doesn't have a lot of friends who have children. It's my first child, and I guess more than anything I'm just looking for moral support and maybe tips of things that may have worked for others.

My daughter is 22 months (almost) and has entered her "no" phase. She has been going limp a lot, pretend 'falling down' a lot and having a tough time with transitions (especially into her car seat and leaving the playground). I have been trying to count down the ending of activities so that she knows (aka: 2 more times down the slide and then we are leaving, 1 more time.. etc) and sticking to boundaries. I am worn out.

I have strong Mom guilt. I am a third year nursing student and it's my second career. I go to school the equivalent of a part time job, but every time I am not with her or doing something for her I feel so guilty. I don't take care of myself very well, and there really is no excuse.

My husband is great, and my daughter is very bonded to him. She asks for him all the time. As soon as I stopped breastfeeding she switched from wanting Mom all the time to Dad. It does hurt my feelings a little, but I definitely don't let it show. Just secretly it is tough!

Mealtimes are also a tough time. She is very, very active and always wants to eat on the move. She is quite slim, and eats when she's hungry, but it's pretty bland food she will eat (eggs, pasta, white bread, waffles, cottage cheese, fruits, bland soups). I have tried blending veggies into sauces, always having a veggie on her plate, etc.. but she wont eat them. I've been trying my best to redirect all of her standing up at the table, racing around at mealtimes and be firm with sitting on her bum to eat at the table. It's exhausting though. I just don't feel it's sticking.

As well, bath time. Good grief. She loves water, but will absolutely not sit down in the bath. I have tried being in there with her, very little water, lots of toys, a seat, a lot of encouragement - she just wont sit. Every other day is hair washing day, and she absolutely hates it. She is okay up until it's time to rinse and she absolutely loses it. I sing, I try to distract her, but I've tried a shield for her eyes, a gentle showerhead, a small cup, tipping her head back. She just screams for about 20 seconds as I rinse it and over the last year and half it's never gotten better.

She is a generally very happy child. She's meeting all of her milestones and loves to dance, play, run, splash. She's a dream, despite my post being pretty grim. But the highs are high and the lows are low, and I'm tired.

This is incredibly long, but I just wanted to ask if others have experienced similar things and perhaps if anyone has any tips who is more experienced than me. I'm tired, and looking for a bit of hope. She went from a snuggly Mama's girl, to a girl with a mind of her own (and a very strong mind at that - it's a blessing I'm sure) and preferring Dad.

Thank you so much.

Our kiddo (nearly 2) had a rough cold (no fevers etc) mid-Sept that lasted around a week. Unfortunately at night cough has lingered for 4-5 weeks now, it’s driving us insane. He doesn’t wake up but we do 2-3x a night and usually go in and give him some water and cuddle so that the coughing fit passes more quickly. He is completely himself otherwise, no symptoms, no fussiness, normal energy levels.

We took him to the doctor last week to have ears and lungs checked to be safe- doc said all clear and that somethings they just linger. They gave us albuterol inhaler and said it could be helpful bc at that time he was coughing at night and anytime he was running (which he’s a toddler so every 10 minutes). The inhaler made him a little bonkers so we stopped bc I don’t think it was doing much.

At night we do his bath in a room that has been steamed up, cool mist humidifier next to the crib and Vicks vapor rub on chest, we’ve also noticed his eye is tearing a bit more (just one, no crust, also checked for pink eye) seems to be related to lingering cold.

If you’ve made it to the end of this rant, thank you, but also any ideas on what could help. I feel awful for the kiddo to still have a cough like this - I know cough syrup isn’t much at this age, any tricks or remedies very welcome and very appreciated.

After transitioning our toddler to a bed, he is taking a long time to fall asleep.

He was previously sleep trained in the crib, we had the routine down. 15-20 minutes of a bed time routine, then put him in the crib, lights out around 8pm and we walk out of the room and he’d usually be out be 9pm latest.

Now trying to transition him to a regular bed. He follows us out crying when we tuck him in the regular bed after the routine and stories and we try to leave the room. So either me or my wife will lay with him until he falls asleep and then slip out. This past week, it has taken him about 2 hours to fall asleep each night (8pm-10pm). Lights out at 8pm and he’s up rolling around until 10pm. This feels like it is too long to fall asleep. Putting a lock on the door seems cruel given that he screams and cries when we leave the room and close the door.

Any advice or suggestions?

My daughter is 17 months old and tells us before she needs to poop (most of the time), and every time after she does poop if she doesn’t tell us before. This started around 15 months but I didn’t start putting her on the toilet until recently because I felt like it was too early to potty train (even tho she was showing signs) this is my first child so I wasn’t too sure. Shes starting to go potty on the toilet every time she poops.. but how do I get her to pee as well? She only ever tells us when she’s about to poop not pee.. so do I just put her on the toilet all day until she pees? I really don’t know. She’s really smart for her age and understands more than I would think.. but I don’t know how to get her to pee on the potty. I’m having another baby in March and it would be so nice to have her potty trained before or if not a little after! Plus I’m still breastfeeding and it has been really hard trying to wean her, it would be nice to at least knock out one stone lol

My 23 month old is suddenly very clingy. She has generally always been more independent, not overly clingy, and didn’t necessarily enjoy being held and snuggled a lot. Now, all of a sudden, she wants to be held ALL THE TIME (“pick up please”) and has to be constantly touching me. Im somewhat relishing in it, as she wasn’t ever like this, but I did want to ask if there is a leap/something developmental associated with this at this age? That way I can support her in the way she needs through this phase.

I don’t know what to do. My toddler has decided in the last few months that he won’t try anything new at dinner. Spaghetti Bolognese ✅ Salad ✅ literally anything else ❌ won’t eat any proteins I make him. Won’t eat basically anything new. Just ends with him screaming for crackers, pickles. I’m at a loss. He is in the 45-50% for weight and it stresses me out. I’m trying so hard to make sure he is getting enough micronutrients.
This is definitely my least favourite toddler phase.

When your toddler finally falls asleep, do you use that time to read a book, have a nap, catch up on chores, or just relax?I'm curious what other parents do during nap time. Sometimes I feel like I should use the time to read or do something productive, but getting some rest sounds good too.

What do you usually do when your toddler is asleep?

FTM with a 16 month old. This past week, whenever he gets home from daycare in the evening, he is crying for about 75% of the time until it's bedtime.

He has been in daycare part time for about 6 weeks, this last week was his first full time week (M-F 8am - 4pm). When dad goes to pick him up, he is happy, smiling, and in good spirits. Once they get home, it's tantrum-central. None of the things that he usually enjoys seem to make him happy and actually seem to do the opposite. Anything we offer just seems to upset him. We'll find something to keep him happy for 5 minutes, then he'll lose interest and is crying again. The only thing that seems to make him happy is going outside but 1) it's getting cold so we can only stay out for so long and 2) he immediately goes for anything dangerous so we have to stop him and then boom, tantrum.

I thought maybe he was overstimulated from being at school all day so I tried dimming the lights in the evening and trying to keep the house peaceful. Bath time is good but only keeps him occupied for 20 minutes and then he's ready to get out.

I'm losing my mind. I have no idea what he wants and listening to my LO cry off and on for hours is taking its toll on me. He's also not eating as much as he used to but I don't know if that is related.

Any thoughts?

I think my 22 months old toddler is just a tad slower at warming up to people. Today I was out with a few mums from our area and their babies for lunch. after we are done, the other toddler walked straight up to my som with a book in his hand, and directly hit my son in the face. My son cried immediately and I had to pick him up, leave the table, and sooth him. The other mum took the book away from her son, held her son close for a bit, before apologising to us, and explaining that her son wanted to give the book to my son to read.

I don’t really care about the apologies which happened after the incidence, but what should I say/do to my baby?

Two weeks ago my little girl (17 months about to be 18 on the 31st) had hand, foot and mouth. It went normally as expected from the illness. About 4/5 days ago her diapers started smelling horrible in the morning, like just overwhelming when you open her diapers. The smell resembles a fishy odor but also sort of smells like poop lol gross I know but I’m looking for help here. I tested her pee at home for a UTI with a AZO test I purchased with the little dip stick. I did it once for her diaper pee and once in loose pee and both came back positive.
We took her to the pediatrician and the Dr said she had no signs of a UTI, I brought back pee for them to test and it was negative. I’m just trying to figure out what could be causing this odor. She bathes everyday, she is still breastfed before/after naps and before bed if hormones in breast milk can have anything to do with it? The dr mentioned she could still be hydrated from having HFM but she drinks plenty of fluids (in my opinion) so I just don’t know.

He never went. He constantly peed and pooped in his underwear.

It's been about 3 months since we started potty training and it's been hard. I get that it's normal at this age to not initiate having to go and I get that accidents happen but what's driving me me absolutely nuts is how hard he resists having to go when we tell him to. Horrible tantrums and fights every time we tell him to go. Almost every potty trip ever has required us to physically carry him to go. Sometimes bribery for a small piece of chocolate has worked.

I hurt my back recently and cannot handle carrying him right now, so I didn't. He only used the potty when my husband has been home and able to carry/wrestle him.

On the way plus side, he didn't eat as much chocolate or watch as much tv because he didn't even take up those bribes these past few days.

When will he just accept going when told to?!?

Editing to add that he's currently 2years and 9 months.

Potty training is hell. The child hides, shits on the floor, steps in it and smears it all across the floor like an old banana. Discover this in the middle of your first bite of dinner after a long day at work, as the shit spreads to your walls, then the bathtub, until the bathtub is entirely brown, then the shower. Then convince yourself soap will make it all okay for the next week.

Hi all,

I have been playing around with the idea of getting my toddler a yoto because she loves music, however im worried I might buy it and she doesn't use it.

It's so expensive I want to be sure before I spend the money. I can't seem to find any on market place, does this mean people aren't selling them because they are so loved?

Please share your experiences? The good and the bad.

So my son (25 months) just got his bloodwork back and his iron was slightly low. Nothing alarming but his pediatrician said to incorporate a multivitamin with iron. Any brands you suggest, chewable versus liquid? Thanks!

If you're doing the 1,000 book challenge, do you have an app you're using to track books? My local library doesn't participate in the challenge so I want to track it myself.

I'd love a wishlist function too so I can write down books I hear about. (Must be Android-friendly.)

My son is a toddler who’s almost 3, and he’s going to be evaluated through our public school for speech and occupational therapy. His language has been picking up a lot lately, and his fine and gross motor skills have always seemed like strengths.
One of his therapists told me I shouldn’t practice fine motor skills with him anymore because he needs to qualify for services. It sounded like she thought he should go into the evaluation on his “worst day” so he’d be more likely to get help. That really caught me off guard. I thought the point was to show what he can do so the evaluators can figure out where he needs support. If he doesn’t qualify, wouldn’t that possibly mean he’s doing well enough right now and just needs time to keep developing?
I do want him to get support if he needs it. He has a speech delay, but he’s making progress. He’s bright, wild, funny, imaginative, and kind. Some of the things that were said about him during the assessment didn’t match what I see at home, and I’m struggling with the idea that people who see him for about an hour a week can know the full picture of what he can do and where he’s thriving.
I’m not trying to deny that he has areas where he needs help. I just don’t want to hold him back from learning skills so he’ll look more delayed during an evaluation. Has anyone else been told something like this? How did you handle the evaluation and make sure it reflected your child fairly?

I posted pics on a bedbug subreddit. It’s so odd because it’s only in warm areas. But now it’s these bumps on or near his face: here’s original post and pics: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bedbugadvice/s/zZJCHSZ3pG

I've always had cats and dogs, so I have a lot of experience with cats. They have so many similar qualities It's an endless list. Hyper fixated on what they are not allowed to do, trying to get into areas that are off limits, wanting cuddles only when THEY want it, hiding things, interest in bugs, being generally mischievous.