Check out my first article about Memorable Potty Training Moments on Pull-Ups.com.? SuburbanDaddy is distinguished member of a Potty Training Expert Panel.? What makes me an expert?? I’m not sure I have any special knowledge, but I am 2-0 in potty training so far.
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Partly because he’s at that age, and partly because it’s his temperament, Thing 3 cries a lot.?? Here’s a rundown of a typical weekday morning, as I try to get them to school and me to work.? In between all the crying he’s generally pretty happy and playful.? And the crying doesn’t last long, only until he gets what he wants or the unpleasant (to him) activity is over.
He cries when he wakes up and wants to get out of his crib.
He cries because he wants a cup of milk.
He cries because he wants me to turn on his favorite show, The Backyardigans.
I mention “time to change your diaper” and he runs and hides.? He thinks this is very funny.? I play along for a minute, then pick him up and take him to the changing table.?? Then he cries.
I let him run around in his diaper for a while, so he’ll stop crying.? He does, until it’s time to put his clothes on, and the run-hide-crying game starts again.
He cries when The Backyardigans is over, until I start a new one.
He cries when his milk cup is empty until I refill it.
He cries when I put his jacket on.
He cries when I put him in the car.? Until I turn on The Backyardigans on the DVD player.
And finally, when I drop him off at daycare, he cries when I leave the room.
Ah, weekday mornings.
I wonder at what age kids understand sarcasm?? When behind a slow car, I guess I’ve said something like:? “Come on people.? Can you drive any slower ?”
On more than one occasion, Thing 1 has asked “Daddy, why do you want them to drive slower?? Don’t you mean faster?”
Rather than try to explain sarcasm to a 5 year old, I just said “Oh you’re right.? I meant faster.? Silly me.”
Guest post from our friends at Born Modern Baby
Between arranging flight schedules, booking car rental services, and developing the perfect budget for an upcoming trip, traveling can prove to be a stressful activity. Add a few kids into the mix and the vacation may feel close to impossible! The best way to avoid any additional stress that comes with keeping the whole family organized, on time, and happy is the preparation that goes into your travel plans before you even leave the house. Since younger children need the most attention in terms of packing and planning where everyone?s going to sleep, it?s best to seek out information regarding your accommodations beforehand. For instance, check to see the type of baby furniture that will be available to you at your accommodations. Most hotels are able to provide a reliable crib that can be transported and properly set up upon your arrival but it?s best to check in with the front desk ahead of time.
Once your accommodations and travel arrangements are in place, it?s time to develop a packing list for each member of your family, including yourself. Check weather conditions to get an idea of what to expect on the trip however, packing a little bit of everything for your children can certainly help out in the long run. Despite what the weather prediction may be it?s always a good idea to bring along a set or two of cool weather clothes in addition to rainy and windy weather gear to keep your kids as comfortable as possible. When traveling with children, the days of stuffed suitcases filled with your own clothing are long gone. Now?s the time to put all of your focus on the kids because when they?re happy, you?ll be happy! In addition, pack an extra set of walking shoes or sandals that have been worn a handful of times so as not to make your vacation the time for your children to break in new sneakers.
While we?re on the topic of keeping our children happy, now?s the perfect time to mention the essential toys and games that will keep the kids entertained in case you encounter long travel schedules or layovers. In addition to the clothing and diaper essentials, be sure to pack plenty of pacifiers, baby bottles, and your children?s favorite stuffed animals and family fun games that will cheer up any bumps you may have during your vacation. Depending on how far you are traveling, it?s always a great idea to stay mobile with children and bring along a compact stroller that is perfect for exploring around your destination. Many models offer a sleek, collapsible construction that makes it easy for parents to quickly pack up the stroller and use with the kids for an entertaining family adventure.
I took Thing 3 to the post office this weekend, to mail prizes to the winners of the recent DVD giveaway. (New Daddy and Rachel, they will be arriving soon).
There were about 8 people in line when we got there.? Not too bad, I figured, with 3 clerks it should move along.? Thinking it would be a quick stop, I also didn’t bring the “goody bag” I normally have with me, full of snacks, drinks, diapers, toys, and other necessities.
Thing 3 had a Snackwells cookie in hand when we got there.? He loves Snackwells, and usually slowly nibbles and licks his way to a crumbly mess, keeping him occupied for a good ten minutes.? Usually.? For some reason, as soon as we got into the post office, he decided to shove the entire cookie into his mouth, and immediately started crying for a new one.
I should have gone back out to the car and retrieved the goody bag, which was loaded with Snackwells.? But there was a steady stream of people entering the post office and I didn’t want the line to get any bigger.? So we went over to get mailers for the DVD’s.? Winners, if you wonder why you receive the prize in a Mickey Mouse bubble mailer, it’s because I needed something, anything, to distract Thing 3 while we waited in line.
We got to the counter, only to learn I didn’t pre-fill out the labels.? I was told to get out of line, fill out the labels, then come back.? Are you kidding?? Don’t you see this squirming, screaming kid I’m holding?
To fill out address labels, I had to put Thing 3 down, which was what he wanted all along.? He immediately ran through the post office, to the nicely stacked large cardboard envelopes, so he could unstack them all over the floor.? And step all over them.
One thing I’ve learned in situations like this, you just keep doing what you are doing (address labels) and don’t try to clean stuff up until you’re done.? Other people in line may not have agreed with my approach.
But I couldn’t tell you if they were smiling or glaring at me, because of something else I’ve learned about situations like this: don’t make eye contact.? Yeah, I know my kid is trashing the place.? What do you suggest I do about it?? How about you let me cut in front of you in line?
By the time we got back up to the counter, Thing 3 was playing with the car remote on my key chain.? I could hear the horn going off as he pressed the “panic” button.? And the doors were probably sliding open and shut, a nifty feature of minivans, but people in the parking lot probably thought the car was possessed.
In the typically unglamorous world of SuburbanDaddy, I have achieved a certain measure of celebrity.? SuburbanDaddy is now a recognized Potty Training Expert, doling out advice to parents on the Pull-Ups Facebook page!? And yes, this is not a joke.? Who knows what big and bright future awaits?
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We have our winners in the Sesame Street Movie Giveaway.? In a very scientific selection process, Thing 1 reveals the winners in this video.? If you are one of the lucky winners, I will be contacting you via email.
Thanks all who entered.? Keep checking back for another giveaway coming in a few days.
Preschoolers are in a constant state of perpetual motion. Put two preschoolers in a confined location, like the back seat of a car, and the inability to move results in all that energy going to the only place they can still move – their mouths.
For me a ride in the car means non-stop chatter between Thing 1 and Thing2.?? What do they talk about?? There is a lot of taunting – I’m older/faster/stronger/scarier/sillier than you. Then there is the grabbing/hitting/touching.? Usually followed by a good amount of whining.
About the only urge that can overcome their urge to talk in the car, is their urge to compete with each other about anything and everything.? Usually the competitive thing causes problems, as they fight compete over everything from going up the stairs first to walking in front of each other.? But in the car a little competition can actually help.
Remember the old Whoever Talks First, Loses game?? I introduced it this weekend and it actually worked for a few minutes.? Both were trying to stay quiet.? I could see it was killing them.? Then Thing 1 broke the silence to declare he was winning because he hadn’t talked yet.? Which of course prompted Thing 2 to declare he won.? Which then started another argument about the rules, and whether coughing or sneezing counted.
It was nice for a few minutes.