https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:28:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-516058 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 12:46:33 +0000 sarac 516058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, the older they get, the more they can 'help'. I love to cook but HATE the skirt tugging while I do it. For christmas, she got a set of little pots and pans, along with some wooden food. So now I'll tell her to help me cook, and she'll say COOKING and go happily dump out the box of stuff. That's usually good for a few minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-516049 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 12:38:38 +0000 plum 516049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think right around 11 months was the hardest time for me, looking back. baby girl wasn't walking yet but had such curiosity about everything, i had to constantly follow her. once she started to walk at 13 months, it was *amazing* how much easier everything was. now, at 20 months, we're good to go and it's awesome, so chin up, this too shall pass! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-515895 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 10:20:29 +0000 pastemoo 515895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Thehistoryofus: This will be helpful soon, thank you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-515282 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 19:58:29 +0000 T.H.O.U. 515282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The best thing I have found is to try to identify a good time when she is relaxed and willing to play independently or at least tag along without much interfering. Try to get chores done during that window. For us she was best when she first woke up. She is always hungry and in the high chair for a while so that buys me time to unload the dishwasher and hopefully start a load of laundry. Sometimes I can cook something then too. Seriously she sits in her high chair for a while. </p> <p>Even after her high chair time for breakfast she is awake and fed so if I give her something to do (new toy puzzle art etc) she will play somewhat independently for a while. That let's me finish up laundry and maybe sweep and clean up from breakfast. </p> <p>Worst case I have put her in the pack and play in front of the tv. She doesn't really watch tv but I put on some music and gave er toys so I could clean and go from room to room as needed without dragging her along. Sometimes she will play for A little bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-515151 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:02:54 +0000 pastemoo 515151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MungBean: I am not there yet but I have a super clingy baby and the only way I keep my sanity and my house (almost) clean is by wearing him--and I have strings (like a paci clip) with toys--so each time I put him up on my back with a ball that he can't completely drop and then I can do dishes or clean and I just narrate it to him. Not sure if your mobile LO would be up for this at all.</p> <p>ALSO it may help facilitate additional naps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-515123 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 16:36:28 +0000 tequiero21 515123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hear ya! Can u get a cleaner to come in once a week or so? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-514581 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:40:32 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 514581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ah yes. I struggled with this, too. I agree that getting out of the house becomes more crucial at this age! Story time, errands, baby classes, walks in the park -- anything. At 18 mos, LO is getting better at being able to play by himself in short bursts, but a lot of the time he'll still be all over me, wanting book after book read, etc, when I really just need to unload the dishwasher!</p> <p>Re: the housework -- you truly will have to learn to let it go a bit. You don't even want to know how long our bathrooms can go without being cleaned now. I can do short chores when he's up, but nothing involved like that. </p> <p>And yes, when she's sleeping better everything WILL seem better. Promise! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-514506 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:17:29 +0000 Mrs. Train 514506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is 15 months but very independent do I don't have the trouble now but my boys were a royal pain. I felt like I had three monkeys clinging to me all day. When it got really bad and I just needed a little space I would put them in their cribs with a toy and go listen to a song on my iPod. Usually one dong was enough of a reset for me. I know it's hard but trust me, it will get easier in a few months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-514487 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:07:51 +0000 Mrs. Bee 514487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>that's how it was with charlie at that age. i thought it was so hard! but once he started walking at 13 months it got so much easier! hang in there... it'll get better soon! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-514446 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:47:46 +0000 Maysprout 514446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I struggled too! I loved the baby stage and I'm amazed at the toddler stage but for me it's harder than the baby stage! I completely agree with the others about outings. We do something in the morning after breakfast and cleaning up. Even if it's just out in the back yard to hang up laundry and chase the dogs around for a half hour, but we have to get out of the house in the mornings.<br /> Also I found giving her little tasks helped. We were packing up to move when LO was 11 months old so I had her putting things in boxes. I found a lot of toys in a lot of random boxes because she wasn't just putting her toys in the toy box anymore but it did keep her occupied. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-514442 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:45:13 +0000 pinkcupcake 514442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, everyone, for listening :)</p> <p>@mrs. wagon: @banana: @sandy: She's been sick the past few days so we've been cooped up in the house (which is probably another huge factor in how I've been feeling), but for our sanity, I took her out this afternoon and just wandered the aisles of Trader Joe's :) Sometimes I get lazy and it feels like a hassle to go out, but I think I'm gonna make an effort to try to get some fresh air everyday.</p> <p>@chopsuey119: Awh, poor little guy! Can't even imagine having two right now... I think my brain would explode, hahaha. Good luck, mama!</p> <p>@sarac: I don't think there's much more childproofing I can do. I have a play mat and blankets that I lay on the ground, so honestly, even if she falls, she won't get hurt. I think it's more my hovering and worrying :P I don't think we have any plans this Sunday, so I might leave her with my husband for awhile and just get out of the house alone for a bit :)</p> <p>@artbee: I'm definitely grateful that I have such a cuddly baby, and 99% of the time, I love cuddling and holding her, but there are days like today when I'm like, dude, I just wanna pee without you trying to crawl up my leg :) </p> <p>@T-Mom: @mrsmate: @Baby Boy Mom: Thanks, ladies! It's good to know I'm not the only one that's finding this to be a difficult stage :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-514417 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:26:43 +0000 chopsuey 514417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally feel your pain!!<br /> I have a 21 (almost 22) month old and she's constantly on the move! Omg she shrieks with joy and talks SO LOUD too. Makes it so hard for me to put her little brother down for naps.<br /> I need to get ear plugs for the poor guy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-514305 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:27:07 +0000 sandy 514305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember having a tough time around 10-11 months...especially when they are switching up their nap schedule...figuring out naps is the most stressful bc you think you have it down and then they go from 4 to 3 then 3 to 2 and the worst for me was 2 to 1 naps.</p> <p>Hang in there! I also ran a ton of errands with LO to kill time and just to get out of the house. We did mom meetup stuff or just met up with friends at the mall to walk around in the bad weather and look at stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-514293 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:19:31 +0000 sarac 514293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: To be honest, I really hate hearing advice like this. My daughter is one who wants to be in constant contact with me, and it makes me crazy some times. We can all only stand as much as we can stand, and we're all just doing our best. </p> <p>I struggled when my daughter became very mobile as well. Can you further child proof your home? Can you put down some foamy tiles so that if she falls, it's ok? I can't help you with the constant clinginess, except to say that it's really hard for me too. Also, the lack of sleep. Can you take a mental health day? Do you have a spouse to spell you, even if it means a vacation day? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-514024 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:15:25 +0000 banana 514024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember thinking that the 12-14 months were the toughest physically. It was exhausting chasing after a little toddler all day long, especially when they're first starting to walk/cruise because they're falling all the time. So I feel your pain. :( And I"m a total neat freak at home too so it's hard to see the mess and not be able to do anything about it. During that phase, I went out a lot (like @mrs.wagon said). I went to the grocery store, mall, park, anywhere! I even took him to TJ Maxx a few times because it's close by. It'll give you a nice needed break. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-513655 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:18:56 +0000 heffalump 513655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At that age my LO didn't want to be near me at all. When she started to learn to crawl, she was like whatever mom, enough of you, I can crawl away! So my advice..... take advantage of it. She will only be a baby for so long. She will only want to cuddle and be with you for so long. I know messes can get annoying, but the most important thing is spending time with your LO, not cleaning up that mess. And just be glad that she's crawling toward you and not away from you like mine always was :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-513591 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:04:16 +0000 mrsmate 513591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is really hard, but what helped me was to tell myself it's OK for LO to cry sometimes. Set a timer for 15 (or even 5 or 10) minutes and tidy up as much as you can. If LO cries say "Mama is cleaning now and will play with you when she's done". Sing the clean-up song. If you can get LO to help you, all the better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-513565 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:57:36 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 513565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is exactly what it was like for us from 11-13 months. It was so so hard! By 13 months though a bunch of teeth had come in, and he was walking pretty well and then things started to get a lot better. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-513440 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:24:15 +0000 T-Mom 513440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to say I feel your pain ... I also struggle with my toddler being clingy (he's like my 3rd leg, attached to me while I try to cook) but I also work and send him to day care so at least I get some alone time during the workday! You must be so exhausted. Hang in there! I'm sure things will improve soon as your LO gets a little older and the sleep gets better... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-513410 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:14:44 +0000 mrs. wagon 513410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally feel you, mama!!! I know exactly how you feel. You are outlining EXACTLY how I felt as a SAHM. I really struggled with this transition as well.</p> <p>This is what eventually helped me... I scheduled outings every single day. In the mornings I would go grocery shopping or run an errand. Then usually the afternoon outing was either a drop-in playgroup at a center or a playdate with other SAHMs or nannies and babies his age. Usually it was just moms/nannies sitting in a circle with toys in the middle and the kids would just go at it. This way I didn't feel guilty not letting him move around because he was doing it every day with other kids around as well, but NOT in my house :) or if it was my house, it would be a playdate and after all the kids played, all the moms/nannies would help clean up. </p> <p>Plus the conversations with other adults would help my sanity!!!</p> <p>I really encouraged Wagon Jr. to play independently and since he's always been a very independent and non-clingy kid, this really helped. I would have designated play-together times, but all other times at home I would be cleaning or cooking or doing laundry. And if it was a bad day (like if he was sick) then I would just blow off the housework and order takeout (even just for myself for lunch!! embarassing when the delivery guy comes with just one sub for you!). </p> <p>Good luck... it's a tough time!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-wtransition-to-toddler#post-513312 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:36:10 +0000 pinkcupcake 513312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm feeling really frustrated and down today :( I feel like I'm really struggling w/my LO's transition from baby to toddler. She's 11 months old now and is constantly on the move - crawling, cruising, climbing, you name it. Most days, she doesn't stop moving from the minute she wakes up around 7AM. She fights naps all the time, which means that sometimes she's up for 5 or 6 hours at a time. We've pretty much baby-proofed the living room, but I still have to constantly watch and follow her around so that she won't fall or get stuck behind something like the couch. Also, she's extremely attached to me and won't let me leave her side. </p> <p>I feel like I can't get anything done during the day. It's 10:30AM here, and I barely had a chance to finish my coffee. I never get to cook because she ALWAYS wants me to be right next to her. I'm a total clean freak and my messy house is driving me crazy. I don't know how she does it, but she manages to make a mess out of everything. I feel like I'm constantly cleaning up after her. There are piles of laundry that need to be folded, the carpet needs a vacuuming, the bathrooms are messy, but I just can't get to it during the day. DH helps out as much as he can, but he definitely has a higher threshold for messes, and he works a lot so all house-related stuff is usually left up to me. I know I need to just let it go, but the littlest thing being out of order just drives. me. insane. </p> <p>Just needed to vent. I think everything is made worse by the fact that we're all sick w/a cold, LO is teething, and her sleep is absolutely horrendous. It takes me at least an hour to put her to sleep every night, and when she wakes up screaming every few hours... GAH. As soon as she gets over this cold, I'm sleep training her again. I think the lack of sleep is magnifying everything for me. </p> <p>I need a mental health day :( </p>