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Ahhhhh, we’re cheering so hard over here, Alyssa! So so happy to hear you’ve found something that worked, and so encouraged by your perseverance! Thanks for sharing an update and fresh perspective with us all!
Sweet dreams, mama! ;)
Erin here; and we can totally relate, Alyssa! I remember a similar response in our own house when my oldest was a toddler, and TV is no longer part of our daily rhythm for much of that same reason. Although it’s the same here – when a kid is sick, TV it is! (Actually, my 6-year-old is THRILLED when she comes down with a fever so she can have unlimited Octonauts, so who knows how this will backfire in the future…) ;)
We love all of your supportive responses! Such great suggestions!!!!! Such a treat to be alongside a wider village. :)
Oh man, Alyssa! Erin here – I totally hear you!
I had a friend once with exactly this same problem, and she told her oldest that he could “camp out” in mom and dad’s room anytime he needed. Then, she put a sleeping bag next to their bed, and told her this was his camp-out space, and that he can sneak into their room when he needs to as long as he slips quietly into his sleeping bag. She added a glow-in-the-dark star so he could spot it when it was dark, and she said the whole thing worked like a charm! There was something about the physical boundary that cut down on the chit-chat entirely.
Hope you find a solution that works soon — and keep us posted! :)
Hi Allison:
Sending warm blessings for a safe, peaceful delivery! One of my mentors once offered me some lovely advice for the newborn days, rooted in the idea of inhale/exhale. If you can think of your days as a series of micro-rhythms, like breathing, it will help you to prioritize the things that matter to you while still getting the rest and care you’ll need.
So, your inhales will be things you do to care for yourself, e.g. feeding/rocking the newborn in a dark and quiet room while your 2-year-old watches Daniel Tiger, sneaking in a bath when your spouse arrives home, taking a mid-day coffee run break when everyone’s fussy. Immediately after each inhale, when you’ve had a few moments of restoration, you’ll be far more productive in your exhale, i.e. doing things to care for others like reading aloud to your 2-year-old, loading the dishwasher, switching the laundry, etc.
Also: in the coming weeks, if possible, take the time now to teach your 2-year-old specific ways to be helpful/independent, i.e. show him/her where you’ll keep the diapers, or how he can put on his/her own shoes, or how to make his/her own snack. This 1000% counts as homeschooling! You’re walking your child through habits and expectations to lay the groundwork toward a smoother transition.
There are so many moments of our days where we’re teaching and don’t realize, so if you can train your brain to count it all, you’ll be surprised at how much you’re accomplishing!
Lastly: Narrate, narrate, narrate. While the chicken is thawing, explain why. When you’re stopped at a red light, count cars. When you’re out for a walk, identify animal habitats, or listen for bird calls, or collect leaves.
It allllll counts. Every last bit of it – the inhales and exhales, the surprises along the way. We’re cheering you on, Allison! :)
e.Hi Emilie!
When our daughter was your son’s age, we talked a lot about how every school is different, and how there are a number of methods for teaching! Are there any organized activities he’s involved in that could be creatively labeled as school? For instance, our daughter (now 6) is immersed in a theatre troupe on Saturday mornings and she visits our friends from Taiwan every Tues/Thurs for informal Chinese lessons. We call both of these different versions of school! (She even gets to pack a backpack with books and lunch for her visits to our friends’ home on T/Th.) Because most 2-3 year olds are hyper-aware of sames and differents, I wonder if it might be helpful to find some commonalities between his day and an average school day. Maybe let him enjoy “recess” at a playground or pack a lunch bag to enjoy his snack in the backyard. Or, you could see if your local library offers free programs or storytimes for a “class” experience! From my understanding, it’s not school most kids are after, but the props of school – the backpacks, the bus, the dodgeball games. ;)
I’ve also heard great things about this book, should he want a clear vision a different path!:
https://amzn.to/2UTOPu7Hope this is helpful for you, Emilie!!!! :) Please keep us posted on what you find to be working well for your little guy!