Why is Mo Willems’ “City Dog, Country Frog” allowed to be such a tearjerker?!
Spore:
“Dog raining.”
“Dog crying.”
“Where frog?”
“Where frog goooo?”
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Thoughts on double strollers?
I’m going to have a 3 1/2 year old with a newborn next year, and we live in a very hilly area with few sidewalks. My toddler now rarely uses his stroller (he has one of those step2 push cars that we use instead). My husband pointed out though (he grew up with nieces and nephews) that it’s likely that if the baby is in the stroller he’ll also want to be in the stroller. Do I go for a full double, or get one with one of those standing attachments?
I’m definitely buying used so wanted to start looking early.
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This is the one that we have. It has worked out really well as the girls have both grown. I also see them all the time at once upon a child. I think they are popular enough that they are easy to find used. Baby Trend Sit N Stand Ultra Stroller, Millennium https://a.co/d/5OY3jYg
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I vote try single with kick board first, so the baby fits better. Then later when they’re out of a bassinet or car seat, you can assess if you want the older to ride in the footwell of a jogging stroller or if you want a side by side or a wagon. Options are super limited for tiny babies and doubles that are actually functional for the older.
Also look into those fancy wagons- a lot have car seat adaptors.
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2.5 and baby here, our toddler had last used a stroller in October? And baby was born in June. We chose the Maxi-Cosi Zelia, which converts from bassinet to toddler in about 10 seconds and we switch kids for it all the time. I can carry the baby and push the toddler. Or toddler can walk. Or I can push an empty stroller, baby carry and toddler walks. Evenflo and Graco have this technology too. I really love it. And it is a lot more portable than a double.
Our jogging/bike trailer is a double, so we are just getting back to that, and we will probably get a folding wagon next summer.
Kids really vary on if they will use the toddler boards or not. We keep debating it but $$$.
Joovy Qool has some interesting set ups for multiples.
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Thanks for sharing this! I was dreading trying to fit a double in our tiny entryway/living room.
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We have the Joovy ultralight sit and stand that I got on the marketplace and it has been amazing. I like that it’s pretty lightweight for a double, it allows the baby to lie down pretty far (not with the other kid sitting on the bench), and it has a snack tray and a good sized basket. Pebbles likes that she can ride and stand or sit. Mostly she sits but she likes not being strapped in.
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Let’s talk comfort items. Does anyone have good resources on how to approach them?
Pipsqueak is very newly two years old and going through some intense separation anxiety focused on me. In the past, her lovie has only been for sleeping but she’s been asking for it, and having it really helps her with transitions away from me.
The problem is that she sucks her thumb whenever she’s holding it. We’ve been pretty relaxed about that happening and sleep time but I don’t want to start a new daytime thumb sucking habit in late toddlerhood. On the other hand, I want her to feel supported.
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I haven’t had this exact situation, but I’ve had some success sometimes with silliness (when they’re in a good/not whiny mood), in this case. “What?! Are you sucking your thumb silly billy??? This is not sleepy time!! This is daytime! Hahaha you’re so silly, GET that thumb out of there! We don’t suck fingers in the daytime!” Tickle tickle, etc.
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This has worked well for us too! But as soon as she has the lovie it’s game over and the thumb will not be removed.
ETA I think the issue is what you mentioned, if she needs the love ita because she’s having a hard time and is already whiny.
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We have this exact issue. If the lovie is in her hand then the thumb is in her mouth. She usually wants it but then quickly throws it down. However each time she comes across it she tends to pick it up and suck for a bit. When we notice it neglected we usually grab it and put it on top of her dresser so it is out of sight and we know where it is for sleeping time. However, that doesn’t help your situation with wanting her to use it for comfort during the day for transitions.
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Can you have a travel lovie? We had a snuggle animal for bed and a different one who was for comfort at daycare and such. Not the same toy but an actual different animal.
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I’ve had minimal success so far but it’s a good reminder to keep trying. I’ve offered a favorite doll and a small stuffed animal that she likes adventuring with outside, but those have not stopped the tears the way her lovie has.
It’s definitely something to consider though, as we continue to work through the separation anxiety in general.
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Some updates:
A well-timed dentist visit has me feeling much better. Her dentist isn’t concerned with her current amount of thumbsucking and we will continue to keep an eye on it but not add additional stress.
Also, a big win on the separation anxiety and mommy needs: using a timer!!
I’ve seen lots of advice for using a timer for transitions, so we decided to try it out for times when mommy needed to be away. We started small (3 minutes for me to go to the bathroom alone or run upstairs to get something). Then had some success with 10-15 minute timers for me to shower alone. We even used it for a 20 minute trip out of the house. If she starts crying about needing mommy, we offer to set a timer so she’ll know that mommy comes back before it goes “beep beep beep”. There is still some reluctance but if she gets upset spouse has been able to remind her that the timer is running and she’ll see me soon. It’s been a game changer over the last several days! She even willingly went downstairs for breakfast with spouse this morning, no timer needed.
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People with multiple kids, what did you do when your baby was nursing or sleeping on you?
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I didn’t sit down very often.
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What did we do with the toddler?
I didn’t really have the baby sleep on me except in the carrier. I just always laid her down otherwise. Sometimes she cried and sometimes she slept.
During nursing:
-Divide and conquer with other parent
-TV
-Special toys just for nursing time
-Lock child in safe gated area and let whatever happened happen. Sometimes she cried and sometimes she played.
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Thank you! Yes it is what do you do with the toddler. This baby doesn’t get to sleep on me much (mainly if the toddler is asleep) which I feel bad about, but he also doesn’t want the carrier as much.
Your list looks similar to mine for nursing. I may try special toys again. Markers work REALLY well except then he is drawing on himself. Ooops.
Introducing food soon and then nursing shoudl spread out!
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Have you tried the magic color ones? That can only color on the special paper?
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We have tried them in the past, I haven’t tried them for nursing bc the proprietary paper adds up - but that reminds me that this week is feeling so hard partly because of PMS but also because his mellissa and doug water painting book died
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