Question for moms w/kids in daycare

SummerMomma2Be

(Re-post from Toddlers 12-24 month board)

 So my almost 22 month old son for the past month has been Mr. Cranky Pants after daycare almost daily. (He recently moved to the older toddler room on April 2nd for kids around 22-30 months). He wakes up at 7:30, goes to school from 8 am-5:30ish. He naps about 2-2 1/2 hrs there. We try to keep him happy when he's home. We take him outside, try to play with him, feed him dinner by 6. He will just find any excuse to cry or whine or throw a fit, even if he is doing something he enjoys. God forbid you tell him he can't do something, all hell breaks loose.

I am guessing he is just so exhausted from being kept busy all day that his behavior is just a reflection of that. So do I put him down for a short nap as soon as he gets home from school and wake him up for a later dinner? Or just suck it up, do our best for a few hrs and put him to bed around 7:30/8? I dont know what to do. I feel terrible because the few hrs we get to spend with him are more exhausting and emotionally draining than they are fun. 

Any solutions?

1026pumpkin

DS has never been at his prime at the end of the day, but he goes through phases where it gets worse.  I found that he is usually cranky when hungry or thirsty and started bringing a sippy of water and small snack to give him in the car, and it has helped a lot.

I also try to give him lots of prompts for what's coming and little jobs to do.....time to get in the car, who wants to push the unlock button?  Time to put our lunch box in the sink, who wants to squirt bubbles?  Time to stir the pot, who wants to help?  We just try to keep it moving from one activity to the next until bed.  Some days, giving him a half hour of Sesame Street and letting him veg helps too. 

ETA I wouldn't give a nap and then wake up for dinner....that would be a recipe for even more crankiness in our house. 

MoreThanABride

I would try a snack as soon as you get home and/or moving bedtime up to 7.

jf198400

I think part of it is just the terrible 2's, my daughter went through a cranky stage. She usually needs some downtime after DC, she gets a tv Show and a snack while I prep dinner. You could also move bedtime up a little bit.

laurakaz13

It sounds like he definitely needs an earlier bedtime.  And like PP said, give him a snack or some milk when you get home.  DD gets a cup of milk in the car on the way home and a snack if we are not eating for a bit. 

DD is the same way.  She has some days when she's just exhausted after daycare.  Lately on those days I give her the snack, put her in the jogging stroller and go for a 45 min run.  She likes to just chill out and check out her surroundings. 

Other days she is more energetic and we will play outside or inside.  It's pretty normal I think.

LoCarb

I think it's a mix of age, exhaustion and hunger. You didn't mention hunger but I'm always cranky when I'm hungry. I would suggest snack when you arrive home and earlier bedtime.  Hopefully, it's just a phase.

katieh1017

I have to give Lillian a snack the moment we get home from DC or else she is a mess - and they give her a snack at 4:45, we are home by 5:30. She eats dinner shortly after, around 6. We have been giving her a bath at 7 but she cries half the time so I think we need to have her in bed by 7 instead. I would just try putting him to bed earlier. Lillian just moved rooms too and only has 1 nap there now. It's definitely changed her evening since the move 2 weeks ago.

golfbride11

jf198400:

I think part of it is just the terrible 2's, my daughter went through a cranky stage. She usually needs some downtime after DC, she gets a tv Show and a snack while I prep dinner. You could also move bedtime up a little bit.

I agree with this.  It sounds like your LO is wiped.  Cranky = tired in my mind.  

Leap08

My daughter (17 months) has a similar schedule, and she can be grumpy towards the end of the day, too. I think a lot of it is just their age. When she starts to act crabby, I try a snack first. That usually helps us get through dinner without any major drama. I shoot for a 7:30 bedtime, but that can be hard for us to manage. We could never do a 7:00 bedtime. Most nights we aren't even home until almost 6:00.

sugarbear0524

This is definitely our situation and schedule, too. To make it worse, DH has been working late every night and isn't home until 6:30 or 7:00 most nights. It's rough.  No amount of attention, snacks, or play seems to make it better some nights.  Good advice listed above. Just wanted you to know that a lot of us are right there with you!

seahorse102410

Fun isn't it!  I'm sorry but it's the same situation at our house.  Most nights I don't have the energy to fight him and let him get away with anything.

*sparky*

jf198400:

I think part of it is just the terrible 2's, my daughter went through a cranky stage. She usually needs some downtime after DC, she gets a tv Show and a snack while I prep dinner. You could also move bedtime up a little bit.

I agree w/this.  Also the snack as soon as you pick him up is a good idea.

azuremama

I'm guessing it's just a phase. Try earlier bedtime and a snack when you pick him up, but don't worry that it'll be forever. Crankiness comes and goes in our house (me included, ha ha).

SummerMomma2Be

Thanks ladies this was helpful! We do always give him a snack and milk while waiting for dinner..so that does help a little. Today I gave him a snack in the car too. I am definitely going to consider an earlier bed time. I guess it's just part of the process and like previous posters stated, it's how he expresses his exhaustion. So hopefully better times will come, when he is more used to this busy schedule at school.

meganandchase

What time does he usually go to bed?  DS goes to sleep at 8 and gets up at 6:30.  If he goes to bed later than that, he still gets up at 6:30, but he's super cranky all day.  At least try getting him to bed 30 minutes earlier and see if that helps.