How do you force yourself to have patience with your toddler??

PAP179 · April 2010

I work full-time and feel like my time in the morning is SO stressful and I feel like have less and less patience with DS. My mom watches him so she comes over ~15 mins before I head out the door. He's been sleeping until ~30 minutes before I leave and so after he gets up I have to give him his Prevacid which is a nightmare and usually ends up all over us - and then he normally poops before I leave and likes to run away from me (bounce on his bounce & spin zebra just to really mash it into his diaper - TMI and gross I know!) and go NUTS when I try to lay him down to change it. I've tried putting on his favorite shows to change the diaper, give him new things to hold, usually if DH is home he'll lay down with him and read a book to him but it's not feasible when I'm alone. aaaaaaah

SeasideBride06 · April 2010

A little off your topic, but do you use liquid prevacid with your DS? We have used the Prevacid Solutabs with DD since she was 3-4 months old and never had a problem! She opens her mouth, we put it in, and that is the end of it.

Paris05 · April 2010

I work full time too and sometimes we are running around like crazy people in the morning as well. DS has been waking up alot at night too which doesn't help matters.

I guess the only advise I can give you is when I feel like I am about to lose it I just close my eyes and thank god DS is happy and healthy and that this phase too shall pass.

lar1203 · April 2010

i would try to make mornings a bit calmer. it's a lot of transitioning for your ds. maybe you could spend some time with him reading a book in between giving meds and diaper changing. maybe he just feels like it's a bit chaotic before you leave. and possibly he's sad preparing for your deparure.

good luck!

peapine · April 2010

At least you dont have to get him ready as well as his daycare pack ready and be out the door at a certain time. You are lucky your mom watches him and comes over before you have to leave, so you have the help. I think its all perspective. There are days (especially when of course we are in a hurry) to get out the door and DD feels the need to be a PITA to get dressed, etc. but I would say almost 99% of the time, we just dont care. she is our life, our world- I know it sounds cheesy, but DH and I would rather be late to work than lose our patience on her. She is so happy and if she would rather run away from us naked and laughing up the hall when we are trying to dress her, I try to enjoy the moment. I know it wont be long before she is all grown up. I probably get more impatient in the evening because I am tired and when I have made a good effort to cook a nice meal for her and she just throws it on the floor- thats probably when I get the most irritated. I try really hard not to let her see me that way, but we are all human.

KKM · April 2010

Its tough and sometimes I do loose my patience. The only thing that helps me (and it doesnt sound like it applies to you) is to have whatever I can ready the night before.

Can your mom maybe give him his meds?

ML*Momma · April 2010

I'm a SAHM and that's pretty much my entire day LOL. Does he like to brush his teeth? Sometimes that's the only way I can change a poopy diaper... I give DD her toothbrush with toothpaste on it, and she'll lay there brushing her teeth while I change her.

PAP179 · April 2010

We do give the Solutabs but he spits them out so we have to mix with a teaspoon of juice and then try to hold his mouth open to get the spoonful in - it is a LOAD of fun. they don't even taste bad - you'd think he'd be used to it by now!!

exhausted_bride · April 2010

SeasideBride06:
A little off your topic, but do you use liquid prevacid with your DS? We have used the Prevacid Solutabs with DD since she was 3-4 months old and never had a problem! She opens her mouth, we put it in, and that is the end of it.

I was wondering the same thing. We also used the tabs and it was easy.

DS is also having major issues with being changed and he is huge and really strong so it's tough. He hates having to be down when he'd rather be playing. I just try to stay calm and firm. I put my hand on him and say "lay down...." I try to convey to him that the longer he fights me the longer it's going to take. He's getting much, much better.

I lose patience, too but I try and remember that he can read my cues and he picks up on what makes me frazzled and will use that to get my attention so I really try hard to remain calm, firm and consistent and even though I'm going crazy inside, I can't let him see that. IDK, all kids are different but this really works for us and I hope this makes it easier in the longrun when he starts the tantrums...

PAP179 · April 2010

lar1203:

i would try to make mornings a bit calmer. it's a lot of transitioning for your ds. maybe you could spend some time with him reading a book in between giving meds and diaper changing. maybe he just feels like it's a bit chaotic before you leave. and possibly he's sad preparing for your deparure.

good luck!

I wish I could but I literally have 30 minutes between the time where he wakes up and I am in my car headed out on my 30 minute commute. I don't really know how to fit in other stuff when I spend so much time chasing him and trying to hold him down

Paris05 · April 2010

PAP179:
We do give the Solutabs but he spits them out so we have to mix with a teaspoon of juice and then try to hold his mouth open to get the spoonful in - it is a LOAD of fun. they don't even taste bad - you'd think he'd be used to it by now!!

DS was also on prevacid solutabs up until he was about 13 months old. We diluted 1/2 tab in water and used a medicine dropper and gave it to him that way. He would never take it from a spoon. Go to CVS or Walgreens and ask for a dropper for it. It will be different than the motrin droppers it has a large rubber bulb at the end.

userdeleted · April 2010

I'm sorry, I know it can all be overwhelming sometimes. I have a hard time having patience some days too. Diaper changes are terrible for us too! Luckily putting on Yo Gabba Gabba seems to do the trick usually - or giving him something to play with that we usually don't let him have, like my keys. Maybe try getting a really awesome special toy that is only for diaper changes?

I agree with the pp that said it sounds like a lot packed into a short amount of time. Toddlers often struggle with transitions. Would it be possible for you to either a) Get him up earlier (may have to adjust bedtime to make this possible), or b) Have your mom do some of the things you usually do?

fIowerchild · April 2010

This is not meant to be a flame, but will maybe put the situation into perspective for you. You're only dealing with 1 child, for 30 minutes. Try to just let it roll off of you during that short period.

The perspective part: Some day you might have more than 1 child and you might not have someone coming to your house to help. I have two little ones, work full time, have a husband who is often traveling and I have to get them dressed and out the door on my own. It sucks some days but I try to happily take it all in and realize that some day they will be grown and gone from the house. And THAT will suck.

PAP179 · April 2010

Paris05:

PAP179:
We do give the Solutabs but he spits them out so we have to mix with a teaspoon of juice and then try to hold his mouth open to get the spoonful in - it is a LOAD of fun. they don't even taste bad - you'd think he'd be used to it by now!!

DS was also on prevacid solutabs up until he was about 13 months old. We diluted 1/2 tab in water and used a medicine dropper and gave it to him that way. He would never take it from a spoon. Go to CVS or Walgreens and ask for a dropper for it. It will be different than the motrin droppers it has a large rubber bulb at the end.

We've tried the different droppers and it seems like the medicine just does not come out - It seems like he gets the liquid and then the little granules just stick to the sides of the dropper. The spoon's working better - but obviously still not great!

Jaimers375 · April 2010

Get as much done in the evenings as you can, put your bags in the car, or have them ready by the door. Get completely ready before you go get DS so you can fully give him your attention. It's hard, but that's what having a toddler is all about. Sounds to me like he's feeding off of and sensing your stress, toddlers are imitators. If you are calm, he'll be calmer, if you are running around stressed, he'll be running around too. Just be thankful you don't have to deal with this and try go get LO out the door.

fIowerchild · April 2010

PAP179:
lar1203:

i would try to make mornings a bit calmer. it's a lot of transitioning for your ds. maybe you could spend some time with him reading a book in between giving meds and diaper changing. maybe he just feels like it's a bit chaotic before you leave. and possibly he's sad preparing for your deparure.

good luck!

I wish I could but I literally have 30 minutes between the time where he wakes up and I am in my car headed out on my 30 minute commute. I don't really know how to fit in other stuff when I spend so much time chasing him and trying to hold him down

I would get him to bed earlier so he can get up earlier. Also, get yourself up earlier so that you have everything you need all ready to go out the door. This way you might have 60 fun, low-stress minutes to spend with your child versus 30 crazy minutes where you both start your mornings being miserable.

PAP179 · April 2010

fIowerchild:

This is not meant to be a flame, but will maybe put the situation into perspective for you. You're only dealing with 1 child, for 30 minutes. Try to just let it roll off of you during that short period.

The perspective part: Some day you might have more than 1 child and you might not have someone coming to your house to help. I have two little ones, work full time, have a husband who is often traveling and I have to get them dressed and out the door on my own. It sucks some days but I try to happily take it all in and realize that some day they will be grown and gone from the house. And THAT will suck.

I didn't take it as a flame - I totally get that I do have it pretty easy when it comes to not having to get him ready/out the door with me. But I also see now that I do NOT know how I could multiply my stress by two by having another baby anytime soon! I do think we have a difficult toddler (and was a colicky high-needs baby) - but I am sure all toddlers have their moments!

KathrynMD · April 2010

We sing alot of Itsy Bitsy Spider in teh morning!

Also - ditto PP on getting up a little earlier yourself and possibly having your mom do some of the stuff you are trying to shove into 30 minutes.

Cytina · April 2010

To be honest, I'm not always patient... I try really hard but sometimes... Twice this week, while getting ready in the morning, I totally yelled at DS - once because he was kicking me in the belly while I was changing him and once when he completely tipped the kitchen garbage can over and got trash everywhere as we were literally heading out the door. I know I have to work on the patience - DS is tough these days - but he's also so sweet and loving and I need to focus more sometimes on all of the joy he brings 99% of the time!

jerzeygirl4ever · April 2010

Jaimers375:
Get as much done in the evenings as you can, put your bags in the car, or have them ready by the door. Get completely ready before you go get DS so you can fully give him your attention. It's hard, but that's what having a toddler is all about. Sounds to me like he's feeding off of and sensing your stress, toddlers are imitators. If you are calm, he'll be calmer, if you are running around stressed, he'll be running around too. Just be thankful you don't have to deal with this and try go get LO out the door.

Ditto this... i've started getting up earlier to get things done before she is up and it really made our mornings easier. Some morrnings we only have 30 minutes before we leave others we have an hour--depends on when she gets up.

Jays-n-Shane · April 2010

Another tip for the prevacid Solutabs...put them in the tip of a sippy DD took it no problem before she was off it for a bit, but we put it in the tab of her first sippy og the day and that works well for us.

As for patience, it's still hard. DD will even tell me "no, minute Mommy" now from me telling her I will do what she wants/needs in a minute.

Jays-n-Shane · April 2010

stupid bump

Jays-n-Shane · April 2010

'nother dup...

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