March check-in

[thoseareradishes]

How is everyone holding up?

I had to go to the grocery store this morning and it was horrible.  So many people, stock was low.   Hopefully I don't have to go again for a while.  No one has yeast, which sucks.

I'm feeling more anxious about everything right now.  I'm worried about my parents because they are taking this really seriously but still need to go out for groceries.  I'm going to ask my mom if I can come shop for her but I know she will say no.  

[loira]

My dad went to London on business literally the day before our PM called on all Canadians to return home. I told him not to go. Now we're just hoping he can make his flight home with no issues, and then he'll be self isolating downstairs for 2 weeks.

I'm WFH for the foreseeable future. Usually when I WFH I arrange it for days when A goes to preschool or has other activities. Now there's none of that and it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

[scm1011]

We're managing. DH is a teacher so thankfully he's off and on kid duty while I WFH, but its still hard. We live in a city apartment and DS doesn't really understand (or care) that I need to work. He's also clearly depressed and confused about the situation, it breaks my heart.

I'm mostly worried about my 72 year old mother who is in poor health and works at a homeless shelter, which is not a place known for its high level of hygiene. She refuses to stop working, even though she is a minimum wage worker and I told her I'd happily cover her salary during this time. Her job is willing to give her a LOA, she's just a martyr.

[pooh8402]

it's a long complicated story, but I'm currently in a hotel 7 hours from home, away from my oldest kid. my husband and baby are here with me. I'm doing clinicals for NP school here (my preceptor is not allowing me to see contagious patients). I have 4 more days, then I can go home for a couple weeks, then possibly/probably come back for 1 more week to finish up hours for the semester.

I'm tired of being here. I just want to go home. my governor had a press conference yesterday afternoon and I was hoping he would implement a state-wide shelter in place order. in that case, I was going to head straight home since I'm not considered essential personnel (I may be a nurse but I'm not currently working and students are not essential).

on TTTC-related news... I applied for a job as a RN with my RE's office, with the RE's strong recommendation/request that I do so (as in, my RE emailed me personally and asked me to apply). the office manager called me a couple weeks ago to get clarification on my education plans and how many hours a week I was expecting to work (the position was for full time but I know I cannot work full time hours and said so). she asked what my end goal was and I said that I was hoping to transition from an RN in this office to an NP in the same office after I graduate. we'll see what happens. I haven't heard anything since but the world has gone upside down in the meantime.

[kellikans]

DS turned two (!) last week! I can't believe it. My parents were here visiting for his birthday and left today to fly back to PA. We had planned on going to Disneyland for his actual birthday, but they closed it a few days before. So we spent the last week at home and hanging out. Luckily it's been raining, so it hasn't been too bad staying in. Our state has a shelter in place rule. Except I'll still have to go to work since I'm in healthcare. DH started working from home today, and he's already stressing out because of the kids making noise. Luckily their daycare is still open, so they'll be going to DC when I go to work, so he'll have some peace and quiet.

I do have a question about toddlers and their younger siblings... DS does not want to share with DD and constantly is taking away anything that she's playing with. He's also been getting more and more jealous and will push her over while she's sitting next to him or will want to be picked up if we're holding her. I really try to divide my time evenly between the two of them, but sometimes it's hard since DD really does need us to do more for her. Is it a case of this too shall pass? Or is there something we can actively do to get DS to not be such a brat to DD? We're trying to do positive reinforcement with sharing, but it's not always working. And the tantrums... Geez. He gets angry and starts throwing stuff and kicking if he gets disciplined. Typical toddler behavior?

[pooh8402]

Mar 23, 2020 15:32:36 GMT -5 kellikans said:

DS turned two (!) last week! I can't believe it. My parents were here visiting for his birthday and left today to fly back to PA. We had planned on going to Disneyland for his actual birthday, but they closed it a few days before. So we spent the last week at home and hanging out. Luckily it's been raining, so it hasn't been too bad staying in. Our state has a shelter in place rule. Except I'll still have to go to work since I'm in healthcare. DH started working from home today, and he's already stressing out because of the kids making noise. Luckily their daycare is still open, so they'll be going to DC when I go to work, so he'll have some peace and quiet.

I do have a question about toddlers and their younger siblings... DS does not want to share with DD and constantly is taking away anything that she's playing with. He's also been getting more and more jealous and will push her over while she's sitting next to him or will want to be picked up if we're holding her. I really try to divide my time evenly between the two of them, but sometimes it's hard since DD really does need us to do more for her. Is it a case of this too shall pass? Or is there something we can actively do to get DS to not be such a brat to DD? We're trying to do positive reinforcement with sharing, but it's not always working. And the tantrums... Geez. He gets angry and starts throwing stuff and kicking if he gets disciplined. Typical toddler behavior?

Yes, and no. Are you spending time with your DS, without DD's presence? Like taking him to the park or something? Watching a show, just the two of you, while she's napping?

[grover]

kellikans, my DD does this with her twin brothers. We have been reminding her that they also have feelings, and they don't know what toys are big girl toys and which are theirs yet. She is getting the picture that if she gets upset with what they are playing with, she can offer a switch for one of their toys. LOL



My DD turned 3 today! Holy cow- how time is flying now, when it dragged on the entire 4 years we were TTTC/expecting her. The boys turned 1 last Saturday (the 14th) too. Daycare is now officially closed until further notice (while I tried to get the house set up last week for both H and I to WFH with 3 kids 3 and under, they were the only kids at the at home daycare. Other than that we haven't left besides picking up a drive up grocery order and a birthday cake for DD. Daycare provider and her family haven't left their house at all in 10 days. ) I'm a teacher, so this week is optional work for students so trying to plan ahead for April. Next week is spring break for me. So...rest of this week and next week I'm basically trying to keep the kids out of the basement area where H will be working and not going crazy myself.

[Mushe]

grover, omg one year old! That’s crazy. So is your school still open? 😬

kellikans, my sister’s kids are 20 months apart, and the first year especially was just really rough. I’m sure the special one on one time would be great, but I don’t think there’s any magic solution. I remember one time when niece whacked nephew in the head with a toy while he was nursing. 🤦‍♀️ Luckily, they all survived, and are super close at almost 17 and 18!

[Mushe]

Holy crap, this week has been five years long. I’m all set up to wfh full time, with au pair watching B. We are so lucky and grateful to have her here. Many of my coworkers are also having to watch their kids at home. I do feel like I work even more, if that’s possible, because it’s just here and we’re in crisis mode. I somehow need to find time every day to supervise distance learning, since our au pair can’t do that. Woof.

B is hilarious and adorable but still not talking a lot. She just hit 18mo adjusted, so we can finally ask for an EI speech evaluation. I’m not sure if they can even do it right now, but it’s requested.

[kellikans]

Mar 23, 2020 16:50:41 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Mar 23, 2020 15:32:36 GMT -5 kellikans said:

DS turned two (!) last week! I can't believe it. My parents were here visiting for his birthday and left today to fly back to PA. We had planned on going to Disneyland for his actual birthday, but they closed it a few days before. So we spent the last week at home and hanging out. Luckily it's been raining, so it hasn't been too bad staying in. Our state has a shelter in place rule. Except I'll still have to go to work since I'm in healthcare. DH started working from home today, and he's already stressing out because of the kids making noise. Luckily their daycare is still open, so they'll be going to DC when I go to work, so he'll have some peace and quiet.

I do have a question about toddlers and their younger siblings... DS does not want to share with DD and constantly is taking away anything that she's playing with. He's also been getting more and more jealous and will push her over while she's sitting next to him or will want to be picked up if we're holding her. I really try to divide my time evenly between the two of them, but sometimes it's hard since DD really does need us to do more for her. Is it a case of this too shall pass? Or is there something we can actively do to get DS to not be such a brat to DD? We're trying to do positive reinforcement with sharing, but it's not always working. And the tantrums... Geez. He gets angry and starts throwing stuff and kicking if he gets disciplined. Typical toddler behavior?

Yes, and no. Are you spending time with your DS, without DD's presence? Like taking him to the park or something? Watching a show, just the two of you, while she's napping?

We try to do as much one on one time as possible. DH takes DS outside to play just the two of them, if DD sleeps in a little later I get up with him and we spend time together in the morning until she wakes up. Unfortunately she doesn't nap much (20 minutes here and there) and when she does it's usually during DS's nap time. We sometimes sit in bed and watch a mickey mouse episode just the 2 of us. I guess we can try to do a bit more. It's just hard because DD NEVER SLEEPS.

[pooh8402]

Mar 24, 2020 17:02:52 GMT -5 kellikans said:

Mar 23, 2020 16:50:41 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Yes, and no. Are you spending time with your DS, without DD's presence? Like taking him to the park or something? Watching a show, just the two of you, while she's napping?

We try to do as much one on one time as possible. DH takes DS outside to play just the two of them, if DD sleeps in a little later I get up with him and we spend time together in the morning until she wakes up. Unfortunately she doesn't nap much (20 minutes here and there) and when she does it's usually during DS's nap time. We sometimes sit in bed and watch a mickey mouse episode just the 2 of us. I guess we can try to do a bit more. It's just hard because DD NEVER SLEEPS.

Yea that is so hard. Is there anyone who can watch your baby while you have one on one time with your DS? (I can't remember how old she is)

It does get easier, especially as naps consolidate. My older son had a little jealousy too, although he was almost 4 when our baby was born, so he had a little more understanding. Now he and his little brother play together (they're 4y8m and 12m now).

[King26]

Hey friends,
Just checking in. This is such a crazy time. Working feom home as a teacher and having a 2 and a half year old who is quitting naps is draining me. Plus the cold, rain, and snow in April isnt helling. I do love that i am able to spend more time with J now. His speech is drastically improving with both of us home.

[loira]

I work in government and my job continues to be all COVID all the time, so that's stressful.

A is starting to become a bit feral. She's not dealing well with the lack of routine, and since she's such a mama's girl, she also hates that she doesn't have access to me while I'm home. Her French is suffering because she's not in preschool and I'm just not interacting with her enough to pick up the slack.

We moved into our new condo over Easter and now I can say with certainty that 850sqft feels REALLY small during a pandemic. I don't know that it would have been any better if we'd stayed at my parents'and delayed the move though.