Journeys

hey all 👋🏻
so my little one is an absolute nightmare in the car. to be honest even in a pushchair 8 times out of 10.. she just cannot chill out unless she's got food in front of her.
we can't even go on a ten minute drive before she's kicking off massively, can't go in the pushchair the majority of the time without kicking off unless she's got food to munch on.
we have a holiday booked to visit my partner's family in Madeira in less than a month and i am dreading it.. even the car ride to the airport is probably going to be a disaster but the thought of having her sat on my lap for 3.5-4 hours on a plane is making me really anxious.

we have a 5 year old as well who has been going there every year since he was 1 and we have never had an issue but he was such a chill baby compared to our nearly 2 year old. he would happily just relax, nap, colour etc on the plane and never had an issue with a car journey. he'd either happily stare out the window or sleep. she screams the entire journey and just wants to be free. don't think she's ever napped in a car since not being a baby baby.

does anyone have any suggestions for things to do/buy to try and keep her entertained for the car and/or plane? thank you!

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We’ve just done a 10 hour car journey and 5 hour ferry with ours and honestly the tablet was an absolute life saver!

We only use it for travelling so I think that helped the novelty of it but my normally feral 21 month old actually sat and watched it for hours during the car (with lots do snacks) and only fussed due to being in the car so long but was fine once we had stopped to stretch our legs and get going again.

We did Center parcs earlier in the year which was a 3 hour drive and we didn’t have a tablet for her and she started to be such a nightmare - luckily my step daughter wasn’t using hers so she let her watch something on it and it kept her quiet and occupied (which is why we the went and bought her her own when we knew this journey was coming).

I recommend getting some stickers. I got mine a newspaper with a few toys and stickers and used it at the airport both ways. We used those while waiting for the plane mostly as she luckily slept most of the time on the plane both sides. We went in May, it was 2.5h flight. It was generally awful both times at the airport. I wouldnt take many toys as she will probably just want to run around the airport anyway and interact with people. We took dolls pram thinking she'd enjoy pushing it around but she just wanted to run around freely. Lots of snacks as well. They have play areas at certain airports, I'd take her there while eaiting. We missed it last time as she was naughty and didnt want to walk all the way back after. But thats a great way to spend time rather than chasing them by the gates.

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Would this annoy you or am I being sensitive?

Hi all,
I just want to know whether I'm letting my emotions get the better of me, or if I'd be justified in feeling annoyed.
For a bit of context, we live in the Yorkshire Dales and my father-in-law lives in Somerset, so it's a long journey that takes quite a bit of planning, especially with a toddler.
Last weekend, my father-in-law retired, so my husband went down on his own to celebrate with him. I stayed home with our little one, which was absolutely fine, I had no issue with that.
This coming weekend, we're all travelling down because it's my father-in-law's birthday and, naturally, he wants to see his granddaughter too. We've planned the journey with plenty of stops, so although it's a long drive, we've made it work.
The thing that's bothered me is that last night my father-in-law texted my husband asking if he'd come back down again the following weekend as well to play a round of golf because there's an event on at his golf club.
That would mean my husband driving from Yorkshire to Somerset for the third weekend in a row, and I'd be solo parenting for another weekend.
I think what upset me most wasn't even the golf itself, it was that it felt like there wasn't much consideration for our family time together. I completely understand my husband wanting to see his dad, and I have no problem making the journey when there's a genuine family occasion. But after we've already made the effort for his retirement and then his birthday, asking him to make another 500-mile round trip the very next weekend for golf just feels like quite a big ask.
Am I being unreasonable for feeling a bit put out by it, or would you feel the same

Im at my wits end! Potty training 😩🚽

My little one is 2 and showing every sign he's ready to potty training

* Ripping his nappy off when he's done a wee or poo
* Not needing to go toilet for 2 hours
* Knowing what the potty is for
* Sits on the potty (voluntarily)
... And other signs

HOWEVER!

To actually get him to wee on the potty is proving so hard! He would rather go on the floor and just watch it, no matter how much correction and guidance he's given!

I've resulted to using his favourite teddy and "making" them go for a wee on the potty and putting a pair of big boy pants on the teddy so he can see an example.

This boy is point blank refusing! 😩

He knows what it's for and understands when he's seen his cousins do it, but is being incredibly stubborn.

Not to mention my partner (his dad) has a short fuse and will give up as soon as it comes too hard. So I know as soon as I'm at work, it's back to wearing a nappy all day and not even trying. (I've had multiple conversations with him to make sure we're on the same page, but stubbornness and not having me do most of the work, he won't do it)

I just need some advice and tips on how to make the transition easier on myself and my little one. Any tricks that I can't will be bonus points 😂🙏🏼

From a desperate mother!

Would this drive you mad?

I live with my parents. Every morning, they give biscuits before breakfast to my 3 year old. I always say not to give as then she doesn’t eat breakfast.
But today, they gave a whole pack which she finished.

Then I started telling them, what don’t you understand about me saying not to give biscuits before breakfast? Is it me that can’t explain, why can’t you guys just understand?

And my dad thinks I’m annoyed at everything and anything…. I mean am I wrong?

Journeys

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Would this annoy you or am I being sensitive?

Im at my wits end! Potty training 😩🚽

Would this drive you mad?

6 month old

Snacks on the go

Day care in Aus!