Challenging trying to parent a toddler

[canadagirl]

     I've mentioned before that Tyler doesn't play on his own. He's my very own little shadow. Sometimes that has us butting heads, especially since not only is he right there with me all the time, but he's getting into stuff constantly. I'll tell him not to touch something, he ignores me. If I use a firm voice, or if I get on his level and try to

Comments

[ckandi007]

It's so interesting to see how Tyler and Silas are close in age yet SO different. Were Felicia or Alana cuddly as toddlers or were they like Silas? I would be heartbroken if my kiddo didn't want to cuddle with me :o(

Maybe talk to Stacie olemiss626 about deployments and toddlers since she had both Caitlyn and Jacob during a deployment? I only got a preview of what you have to go through everyday.

I remember playing outside with my brothers more than watching TV growing up--I was such a tom boy! I used to love catching bugs and putting them in a jar :o) As we got older and Nintendo/Sega became a good thing--that's when the video game craze started in our household though my brothers were more into it than me because I always stunk at games.

Steve refuses to let our future kiddo become one of those kids that watches TV and never plays outside. He wants to be outside with him early--that jogging stroller and bike trailer will definitely help. I'm excited to be moving to a place that has seasons again!

[canadagirl]

I'm not sure about how cuddly they were, anything would be more than what Silas is. I feel bad for my SIL. Ty is such a love little guy, always touching.

It isn't that I need someone to talk to. Another adult around would be nice. I am lonely, and it drains me in every way. A deployment is one thing. A deplopyment with a toddler is a whole different world. I just hope I don't start losing my hair again, or those hives for months. gah!

I certainly have more outside memories than inside ones. I was out from sun up to sun down. Of course, I played my share of Nintendo, and watched TV like any kid. But outside was always more fun.

Tyler has been watching Fraggle Rock in the car. He can watch TV as much as he wants as long as he's putting up with me dragging him around!

[nymphae]

Ty reminds me of Liam. While Liam would play on his own (mainly because he has older siblings), he was always my shadow (and still is at 3). He is a huge cuddle bug. Very, very emotional kid. Sometimes if we just give him a stern look, he will just bust into tears. Kris said he was like that as a kid. I loooove it. Pace and Canyon were never big on cuddles after the baby years - but Liam still is. Weird how different kids can be. <3

[canadagirl]

Hmm, can I keep the cuddles but lose the emotional melt downs and the constant need for my undivided attention? No? Ok, just thought I'd ask ;o)

[nymphae]

It will get easier! At least I hope it does. I know how hard it is to be a "single" parent for a year. :(

[canadagirl]

I think about you a lot, knowing that you've done more than your share of being an only parent during deployments. As Ty changes new and different challenges arise, but some difficulties he grows out of. Hmm, at least he isn't a teenager!

[canadagirl]

I'm sorry Todd, but you can't really relate. Your partner hasn't been on the other side of the world for over 11 months while you manage Katherine on your own. I get that we are dealing with a lot of the same issues since our kids are so close in age and we're both first time parents. But you have V around at the end of the day to commiserate, or to help with bath time, or to stay home while you can get errands accomplished without dragging a toddler around. I get about half an hour with a poor image on a computer screen while my attention is still being taken by Tyler

[ducks]

I know every kid is different, but I just wanted to let you know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel (from my limited experience of 2). J was EXACTLY like Tyler. He would not let me out of his sight. And only me. He didn't care much for Daddy even though Tim was around. It was very trying and very frustrating, and it's only in the last year or so (since he turned 3) that he is now able to play by himself or with his brother. A lot of this stems from his personality and probably the fact that I was with him 24/7 for the first year of his life. Anyway, there is hope for Tyler, so enjoy the cuddle time now. :) I'm still enjoying a ton of cuddles from both my kids and dread the day when they won't want to cuddle with me.

BTW, even now, at almost age 4, J will get teary when I have to leave for work, while E will just smile at me and wave and say "bye mama!". J will also ask me to play with him a lot too, but it's gotten a lot better with age, and also with his brother, now that E is old enough to play with him.

[canadagirl]

I'm lucky that Tyler likes other people, and although I'm the star of the show he doesn't mind the occasional understudy. However, at the moment I'm all he has and an incredibly needy toddler is a lot for one person to manage on their own. Ty doesn't get upset when I leave him at day care or if he has someone else to play with, thankfully we haven't hit any full-blown separation anxiety yet.

I'll let you know when I see the light at teh end of the tunnel. Might be around the time Hubby gets home from Afghanistan ;o)

[ducks]

It's tough being an only parent and I have only had small glimpses into what you are going through. I really admire you for it.

[beautymask]

i remember having tv as my baby sitter when i was growing up. i watched a LOT of tv and learned english through sesame stree =T

m is the same way. he doesn't really watch tv except if there's a really good song on tv and he loves ellen degenaras (sp?). other than that, he wants me to read him books or sing him songs. but he'll follow me everywhere, like the bathroom =T !!

[canadagirl]

Oh, TV isn't teh big bad evil, it has its place. I just don't like teh whole vombie-kid thing.

I can't really remember what it's like to go to the bathroom alone. He even showers with me some days because he likes to play in the water and I can't always wait for nap time!