Anonymous wrote:This is OP -- while I totally understand the logic behind driving as much as possible while DC is asleep, is stopping somewhere overnight a bad idea? For example, if we left after DC fell asleep around 7 pm or so, and then drove four hours, that's obviously very convenient, but we're concerned that with all the shuffling of checking into the hotel, etc, DC will wake up, and since she'll be in an unfamiliar place, she'll be difficult to get back to sleep....or maybe we're overthinking it?

You aren't over thinking it, IMO, but it also just really depends on your kid.

When we did this, one person stayed in the car with the child, and the other did the hotel registration, unloaded the car etc. Then when the room was ready, the baby/toddler went straight into the crib.

The only way to find out if this works or not is to try it

I have a high IQ and a family history of drug abuse, depression and anxiety. My husband is smart, but his family is the most normal family I've ever met.

I think both my kids got my genes though as I can already see some tendencies in them towards OCD and anxiety.

It helps to be aware of it but I'm also being cautious about trying to pathologize what might just be a normal developmental phase.

It's nice that you're doing your best to set your child up with a healthy environment, but be wary of falling into the trap that you can control the outcome. That would be putting unnecessary stress on yourself.

There is no expectation for you to attend. If you do, you could just do a card with a small check.

OP I think it's very normal to feel nervous about your child being in a new environment.

Does the preschool have visit days prior to the school year starting? Ours did, and I think it helped my son become familiar with the evironment.

Also, do you know anyone else going to the school? It might be nice to have some play dates with the other kids over the summer so he'll recognize a few of them.

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I went to my doctor, discussed all the issues. She gave me some xanax to get through short-term. I'll be seeing a psychiatrist week after next to discuss depression meds.

Thank you for the advice and support.

That's great news OP that you took this step. It's not easy.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. My 2.5 yr old does. At around two we started “We only throw balls and if you throw anything else it gets taken away for the day”. It cut throwing toys down to about 90% and when he does throw a toy now he says, “no impulse control” and hands it to me.

Kids understand so much more than we give them credit for.

We have very few rules which helps. Pretty much just no throwing toys or hitting/pushing the baby.

I'm laughing out loud at this! That's so cute.

Maybe 3 or 4?

When they're little and mobile with no common sense, doing anything where you'll have to say "no" a lot can be exhausting.

OP I'm sorry things are so rough. Can you head somewhere for the weekend? Just take a couple days off?

Then when you're back, contact your pediatrician and tell them what's going on. Ask for help. For you, for the kids, for your family. Get referrals.

We do an hour. Only if they stay in their rooms and actually do quiet time do they earn a tv show. So we get a total of 1.5 hours of downtime, and the kids pretty much never screw up because they love their tv time so much. Sad but true.

OP you should go to a good running shoe store and have someone watch you run and suggest the right kind of shoes. You might benefit from some cushiony insoles also.

For jogging, you shouldn't be landing on the balls of your feet. That makes no sense.

Also, consider finding a dirt trail near you, or just run on grass if you can. Pounding pavement & sidewalks can be hard on your body.

So the pediatrician wasn't concerned? Or wasn't able to diagnose?

Is your child bothered by it?

Anonymous wrote:Her room is child proofed and I'm not concerned about her moving around her room on her own; her climbing out of the crib is not safe. We also have a second child due soon so will ultimately want to transition her sometime in the next 6 months to have the crib available for the new baby and I'd rather start the transition now where we can get her used to the bed being in her room, practicing with naps for a few weekends (she's in daycare during the week), and then ultimately transitioning to sleeping in the bed at night but aren't yet under a time crunch to do so.

Trying to climb out and actually being able to climb out are 2 different things. I don't think that's all that dangerous tbh, but I understand the perceived danger.

If you're cool with locking the door and letting her cry then you'll be fine. Otherwise just expect some bad nights of her coming out of her room. If it doesn't happen, great, but better to be mentally prepared for it.

As for bedding, we just put normal sheets on the bed, had a smaller blanket (4 x 4 feet maybe) and kept them in their sleep sacks for a bit. I definitely wouldn't purchase any additional bedding.

What is the impetus for the move to the bed? If you have a 2 year old trying to climb out of the crib, there'll be nothing stopping her when she's in a bed. It can be a very challenging transition at this age.

The kids are old enough to have play dates without dual parent supervision.

So I would continue to reach out to plan times your kids can get together. I would also just stay friendly with her. Sounds like it's been a tough year. She may not want to be friends, but she may also be busy or depressed.

Anonymous wrote:Why not get a small bike and take the pedals off for a couple of weeks.

This is an excellent approach.

I probably would still get a 12" bike though. My 3 year old was tall enough for a 14" when he learned to ride, but it's so much easier to learn when you have a lighter bike, and one that's easy to get on and off.