Toddler and newborn

Is anyone else struggling to deal with their toddler since baby arrived? I’m a SAHM and have a 2 (almost 3 year old) and I’m losing my patience much quicker at the moment! I genuinely think he doesn’t listen to a single word I say or follow directions which has now been amplified by having another child to take care of.
I will get him showered and dressed to go out and he will just take all of his clothes off and then when I dress him again he repeats it over and over as if it’s the funniest game on earth. Getting out is becoming nearly impossible, I ask him what he wants for lunch, make that exact thing, and he refuses to eat it. He’s asking me for something every 2 seconds (especially whilst feeding the baby) and cannot wait even for me to put baby in his crib so I can get something for him, he just finds a step and starts rummaging through kitchen cupboards, putting the bath on and helping himself to things.
When we do go out he runs off (which he has always done and it’s been a huge struggle for me) and actually will not stop unless physically grabbed, to the point he will run into the roads. I have tried to be firmer, I stay consistent on boundaries, but I’m not sure what else to do.
He’s now started biting me at home too.
I’m finding the newborn is like a holiday compared to this! The constant bargaining, battles, and defiance is really getting me down!
He is very kind and gentle with his baby brother and does have a lovely temperament he is just incredibly busy (I’m almost certain he has ADHD) he still doesn’t sleep, and cannot seem to listen.
Anyone else finding this stage really hard?

(For context we don’t have any childcare and he doesn’t really have any screen time so I doubt it’s that effecting his behaviour)

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.
Add a comment
Avatar

Do you have time with just the toddler totally away from the baby?

We have similar struggles around food (asks constantly for toast you make the toast and he’ll throw it on the floor) and wanting something as soon as the baby is being fed.. getting dressed is often a meltdown so huge it’s not worth the battle.. huge huge emotions. I have made a cupboard in the kitchen full of snacks that he can help himself to if I’m busy which has helped somewhat.. he’ll go and help himself and bring it to me to open.

& if you sit back and watch him he’s just crying for my attention. Every time yesterday I’d pick the baby up he’d throw his teddy down the side of the bed and scream ‘help me’ at me. I make a real real effort every day to carve out time for him well away from baby that’s just for me and him.

As tough as it is for us.. their whole world has been turned upside down so they try to cling to control and attention where they can x

Avatar

Same problem, i have started to get inpatient and irriated quickly! I dont look forward to the day ahead anymore, i just want it to end and go to bed, in which my 2 year old gets up inbetween and i get scared thinking she will fully wake up and i wont be able to sleep!

Read more on Peanut

Trending

in our community

Going from 2-3, Help! 😩

My 2 step-daughters live with us full time, and have done for nearly 5 years. We now have our 4week old baby boy and I'm really struggling with how a routine will ever come into place.

I had a C-section so have not been doing many of the school runs as I'm unable to drive. My mum has been living with us during the week to help as my partner had to go back to work 4 days after bringing baby home.

We are getting closer to the time my mum won't be here to help and I'll be doing all of the school runs (and all other things that come with being a mum and running a house) and I do not know how I'm going to get out the door at 8am - let alone keep everyone organised and settled.

Parenting isn't new to me but being a mummy to a new born baby is so I feel a little lost.

Any advice welcome!

Avatar

4

Festival packing

Hello

For those that have taken a toddler to a festival (camping) - what are your must pack items and recommendations please?
Thank you.

Avatar

3

Nursery help/advice

I am a first time mum and want the best for my little girl, she is incredibly smart and she’s almost 2, she knows colours counts to ten sings songs, she’s very clever, I applied for nursery 9-3 but they don’t have that available they have 1-6:30 but her bath and bed routine starts at 5:30 she’s in bed by 6:45, I originally was going to look at a part time job in the 9-3 hours but that wouldn’t work as she would be picked up at 4:30 to get home and settled for bed! I am looking for advice is it worth her going at 2, did anyone have a child that went at 3 and 2 and what was the difference? I am a stuck mummy because of course i want her home but i also want the best but before this new funding came in, children went at 3 unless you paid for it? ANY ADVICE WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED 🫣

Avatar

5

What do you eat (EBF mummas)

My baby is 4 months old now. I have not lost 1lb of my pregnancy weight and I'd like to fit back into my clothes one day 😆. I'm curious what you other EBF mums eat generally to reflect on whether I am eating enough or the right things.

Avatar

12

Nursery 🎪🐭🩵✨

I loveeee seeing other peoples nurseries!! 🥰

Mine isn’t finished yet, still got things to put on the walls, name signs, pictures etc.

Is anyone else almost done with theirs?

Avatar

12

7

Why does my husband act as if he doesn’t trust me

My husband acts as if he doesn’t trust me he keeps saying don’t get too lonely and keeps saying it’s weird you’re in the bedroom.

I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong in his mind. Our kids aren’t getting into anything and is behaving and my older 2 is watching tv in the living room and I don’t want to be in the living room and watching what they are watching.

Avatar

10

Read more on Peanut