Parenting update….. feeling pooped

When I started blogging (properly) nearly a year ago, posts seemed to flow so well. Nowadays….. not so much. By the end of the day I feel pooped. Really pooped. My little boy is now just over two years old and he’s a bundle of energy, and I am finding it really tiring work at the moment. He jumps, he crawls, he climbs, he runs and he is a force to be reckoned with!

Lately we have been making little changes to our routines to get him ready for the next stages in development –

Potty training

I am not sure if he is quite ready yet, but I thought it might help him get used to the idea by buying a childrens book that would help explain what to do. I found a book on Amazon called Pirate Pete’s Potty by Ladybird Books and I cannot recommend it enough. You follow the story of little Pirate Pete of how he learns to use a potty and it gives the child choices to help them interact. Once each page is completed, you can encourage your child to press the ‘cheer’ button. The little tyke thinks it is great fun!

Getting rid of the bottles once and for all!

It’s a little bit embarrassing, but we have really struggled to get rid of the bottles so far. I think we have tried every flipping beaker going, to no success! It turns out that we simply had to change the routine. If we make sure that the beaker of milk is left in his bedroom before he goes up to bed, he is more likely to use it. Previously my husband had tried to bring it in whilst I read the little tyke a story, but he would only cry for it to be changed to a bottle. This little change has done the trick and all bottles are now in the bin. About time and good riddens!

Transition to the big bed

I am not really looking forward to this bit, but I cannot stick my head in the sand. I found another book on Amazon called My Big Boy Bed: A Pirate Pete book, also by Ladybird Books. It follows Pirate Pete on his exciting journey from cot to a big boy bed. Like the other book it gives the child a series of choices and you can encourage your child to press the ‘cheer’ button at the end of each page. He just loves sitting down with me to read them. I have kept both of the books on the coffee table in the lounge, to make sure he is familar with them.

At the weekend we also made the move from toddler sleeping bags to a toddler duvet and pillow set. We picked some cute transport themed bedding with cartoon cars, buses and planes. He looks so cute in his bed all snuggled up when I put him down. He doesn’t stay there for long though…. he’s a real wriggler! I am sure he will get used to it in time. By making this little change we hope it is one step closer to making him comfortable with the transition to a big boy bed.

So, thats my update for now folks. Let me know how you coped with these developments and any tips would be greatly appreciated! Did you potty train or go straight to the toilet? Is the transition to the big bed a nightmare or is it ok?

Ta ta for now my lovelies xxx