Looking after a two-year old just for one day and night

[Orang Utan]

Nice one

What did you learn from him?

Lugging a toddler and his apparatus about is no mean feat.
The chicks love blokes with cute kids.
Toddlers are tremendous egotists.
They're also very loving and make you feel great about yourself when you previously haven't.

 

[moomoo]

Awwww, well done OU! This might become a regular thing you know. There will be long summer holidays for mum to fill in a few years................

 

[Orang Utan]

You've only seen him during the day. My advice, take it or leave it dude, is get the lad as early in the morning as you can. Then you can gauge him. Play it by ear. I'm sure he'll need a sleep sometime. Even five thirty sleep would be ok.

The main thing is stay cool.

You were right - he did kip on the train back and got a bit ratty when he was woken up when it arrived, but he was fine the rest of the time. He went to bed with few complaints, got up half an hour later confused cos he wasn't at home, but he went back to sleep again straight away.
I now feel it's safe to crack open a bottle of wine (just realised I've done a Bernard/Manny Black Books and opened the wrong bottle of wine. My dad might not be too happy!

 

[Cressi]

I use to love staying at my uncles that was the best bit of the adventure...being away from routine + just having fun somewhere else with some one safe......then getting home. Sounds like a very happy child.

 

[Orang Utan]

But if he doesn't usually sleep during the day, then a break in his routine isn't going to help.

@OU - for bedtime, try to follow the routine he usually has at home, whatever that is, and make sure he has something from home with him (teddy, blankie, whatever).

He didn't really have anything from home but he's been to his Gran and Grandpa's loads and had things there that relaxed him - I put his tea in an ordinary bowl but he went into the kitchen and found the bowl he usually has his food in - it took me a while to click what he was trying to do there. And then he found his favourite toy here and that's a torch - he likes to go into the bathroom and switch all the lights off and turn the torch off and shine it every where. He loves 'hiding' too - I spent a lot of time pretending I couldn't see him 'hiding' and feigning shock at him suddenly appearing out of nowhere

 

[marty21]

. He loves 'hiding' too - I spent a lot of time pretending I couldn't see him 'hiding' and feigning shock at him suddenly appearing out of nowhere

i play that game with my nephew

 

[madamv]

Lugging a toddler and his apparatus about is no mean feat.
The chicks love blokes with cute kids.
Toddlers are tremendous egotists.
They're also very loving and make you feel great about yourself when you previously haven't.

Thats the first time I have proper welled up from reading a post on urban.

Top Uncle.

 

[quimcunx]

I don't envy you OU. I had to look after a 7 year old once. I only lost her once...... outside Hamleys! She was sensible and stood by the door until I came back and found her.

 

[Orang Utan]

It was fun, really. They really make you think. The only trouble is...they get up early...

 

[Thora]

It was fun, really. They really make you think. The only trouble is...they get up early...

When I have my own kids NO WAY are they getting up before 9am.

 

[Strumpet]

 

[Felina]

It was fun, really. They really make you think. The only trouble is...they get up early...

Looked after my neice one day and night not long ago and the best bit was waking up and hearing her gurgling away on the baby monitor - I went in to get her from her cot and she gave me this massive grin and reached out for me! So I took her back to bed with me and I just watched her smile and gurgle some more.

I know this sounds cheesey but it was so nice!

Had a funny non-mum moment, I was taking her out in her buggy to the shop but couldn't find her any shoes anywhere... rang my mum in a panic asking where her shoes could be and she said she was far too young for shoes!! haha whoops

 

[mentalchik]

When I have my own kids NO WAY are they getting up before 9am.

*runs away from the thread laughing*

 

[fnord]

A sugar free diet mellows them a lot.

 

[scifisam]

Glad it went well - not that that's surprising.

When I have my own kids NO WAY are they getting up before 9am.

At weekends my daughter doesn't wake up untl about 9.30 and then she spends at least an hour in bed reading. OTOH, she's a nightmare to get ready for school during the week.

Looked after my neice one day and night not long ago and the best bit was waking up and hearing her gurgling away on the baby monitor - I went in to get her from her cot and she gave me this massive grin and reached out for me! So I took her back to bed with me and I just watched her smile and gurgle some more.

I know this sounds cheesey but it was so nice!

I used to co-sleep with my daughter, which meant that every morning I was greeted by her smiling face next to mine. We'd lie there and 'chat' for as long as we felt like - it was a lovely way to start the day.

Had a funny non-mum moment, I was taking her out in her buggy to the shop but couldn't find her any shoes anywhere... rang my mum in a panic asking where her shoes could be and she said she was far too young for shoes!! haha whoops

These babies with doting aunts and uncles are very lucky kids - we don't have any.

 

[Thora]

*runs away from the thread laughing*

It's all down to the parents

 

[Idaho]

It was fun, really. They really make you think. The only trouble is...they get up early...

You have managed to encapsulate the pros and cons of parenthood very concisely

 

[Choc]

last week at my siters i failed miserably to babysit

after about 45 minutes of them leaving the house the 4 year old was still not asleep and the 2 year old woke up again and i couldn't stop him crying his eyes out. i had to ring the parents back. i really felt rubbish about it.

i think you have managed very well with your nephew OU

 

[Stobart Stopper]

I'm doing this tomorrow with my nephew and I'm a bit nervous. I've spent the day with him before and that was fine, but not overnight. He's also gonna be taken somewhere he's never been before and is gonna have a full day, so I hope he doesn't get too stressed. Of course, all you parents are gonna be scoffing at me cos you have to do it all the time, but I am cacking it a bit to be honest. As long as he doesn't cry, I can handle it, but I don't know what to do when he's overtired and stressed.

Give him a set of felt tips and ask him to redecorate your walls, they all love this.

 

[foo]

what a lovely read.

 

[sojourner]

(just realised I've done a Bernard/Manny Black Books and opened the wrong bottle of wine. My dad might not be too happy!

sounds like you had a ball OU

getting a bit broody maybe?

 

[May Kasahara]

Can I rent you as a stunt uncle for my baby, OU?

 

[wtfftw]

Awww. Uncles.

The manshape has been at the natural history museum today as an accompanying adult on the 8 year old nephews school trip. He sounds exhausted and the smidgen of broodiness is extinguished (result!).

 

[Orang Utan]

Sure thing May!
Soj - I've been broody for years.
Dropped him off this morning and it was the only time he really cried.

 

[wtfftw]

Can I rent you as a stunt uncle for my baby, OU?

Gosh. I haven't been about much have I? Congratulations.

 

[Orang Utan]

And I am absolutely exhausted - just had my first afternoon nap in years.
I take my hat off to all parents everywhere.

 

[sojourner]

And I am absolutely exhausted - just had my first afternoon nap in years.
I take my hat off to all parents everywhere.

all those questions are fucking hard work aren't they? You have to stay switched on almost permanently

 

[scifisam]

Sure thing May!
Soj - I've been broody for years.
Dropped him off this morning and it was the only time he really cried.

Aww

I have a nine-year-old you could be Uncle too, too! Though others have already bid for you, damnit.

 

[yardbird]

I think that you'll be brill with him and he'll love it all.












Be prepared to be his best mate

 

[Orang Utan]

Here he is one the train: