We adjust based on when she goes to bed. Sometimes late/long naps keep her up, sometimes they don't, it's like she goes in and out of phases. So if we seem to be in a going-to-bed-late phase, I wake her up, else I just let it go. Wow, how I wish these sleep schedules were more predictable haha! Lately she's been all about waking in the middle of the night to play for, no joke, 3-6 hours ... (she's 2.5)

We're all about extended rear-facing and got this monster non-convertible Britax that's supposed to last until she's 6 ... but it's true that it's not always practical. It doesn't even fit in my husband's car. So for that we got a $50 Costco forward-facing from Target. It's only 8lb so it can go literally anywhere with one hand, and it fits comfortably in any car. We use it for babysitters and for quick trips/dropoffs to/from school, then the monster rear-facing seat the rest of the time.

Jenga! Yes, it's loud, but it's good for so many ages (my 2yo loves to push the blocks around), and once the game is done, they can be creative building all sorts of things!

I love that you just brought toys! I start with toys (20 minutes?) and then have the tablet for backup (works for hours?). And in those cases, it is true, the date is more for me than my toddler, and I use the tablet when I want more time for myself with my friends. When the date is about her, I leave the tablet at home.

It sounds like he's getting an awareness, that's awesome! We had heard the "buckle down" theory, too, but that was hard for us - our work schedules are all over the place and getting a few days to hunker down just didn't happen. So instead we started slow. We put a potty at her favorite table instead of a chair and let her be naked anytime she as home for like 2-3 weeks. Eventually she became fascinated with the "something" going into the potty! And we made the biggest happy deal out of it that we could! Once the awareness kicked in, the rest almost happened on its own. We'd repeat, "Peepee goes in the potty!" over and over and over, and "No peepee on the floor," whenever she had an accident. Once she seemed to understand, we ditched the diapers and never looked back. So many different ways to do it, so you can pick what works for you and your life!

Oops, wasn't signed in. This is Erin.