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Brinley Toddler Summary: 33.5 Months Old


This is a summary for Brinley from 33-33.5 months old.

SLEEPING
Big news here! Brinley moved to her twin bed and out of the crib.

Brinley started to be more open to the idea of a big girl bed when I would tell her she would soon more over. She thought that sounded like fun most of the time. 

We set up her bed one Saturday night. Sometimes we don't do things in the ideal way now that we have four kids. Ideally, we would have done this on a Friday night so we could have a couple of weekend nights to work things out. We also would have not done it on the same night we had Brayden's birthday party with friends (yep, that is the night we did it). But we always go with what timing just seems right and it seemed like the right day. We also have to work around the family schedule, and taking down a crib and setting up a twin bed take time. We have more time to do those things on a Saturday.

Despite things not being ideal, Brinley handled it perfectly. She was excited. She set her stuffed animals and dolls all up in her bed the way she wanted them. She stayed in her bed! She slept great. She stayed in her bed until we got her up in the morning. 

The bed transition has gone very well. During one nap, she hopped out of bed to get some books off of her night stand to look at. I spoke into her monitor and told her she needed to stay in her bed. She paused for a moment, thinking, and then responded, "I am." She didn't say it in a sassy way--she sounded a bit confused. She obviously considered herself getting a book and getting right back into bed to not be getting out of bed. I decided that I don't mind her having access to some books to look at in bed at her age. Before nap and bed time, we pick three books to set on her night stand that are okay for her to look at in bed (I am always careful to make sure the books are very toddler proof since one time Kaitlyn destroyed some books in bed). She stays in bed since her books are right there for looking at. 

I am very happy with the transition! 

EATING
Eating is good. 

PLAYTIME
Playtime is continuing on as usual. She had a few days where she got out of her room a few times each independent playtime. It is always to get help with dressing some doll. I always start my response to that with reminding the child to stay in the room and being patient. I totally get wanting help with difficult things, but I also want her to work at solving her own problems and I think that for a short time each day, she can play with things as they are if she can't take care of it on her own. 

BOUNDARIES CONTINUED
We had some good times this time period with boundary testing. Getting out of Independent Playtime is just one example. She did fun things like intentionally spill her Cheerios all over the floor during Brayden's evening of excellence for his gifted and talented program. Good times. It makes her being good for her bed change even more amazing.

SCHEDULE
This is her typical daily schedule.

8:45 AM--Wake up/Breakfast
9:15 AM--Get ready
10:00 AM--TV time
10:30 AM--Independent Playtime
11:45 AM--Help get lunch ready/hang out with me doing stuff
12:15 PM--Lunch
12:45 PM--Learning Activity
1:00 PM--Sibling play with McKenna
1:30/2:00 PM--Nap
4:30/5:00 PM--Wake up and Free Playtime
5:30 PM--Dinner
6:00 PM--Family Time
7:30 PM--Get Ready for Bed
8:00 PM--Bedtime

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Poll Results Post: Crib to Bed Transition


Here are the results from our latest poll. Here are the questions with the results:

1. What age did you first move your child from crib to bed?
  • Under 1 YEAR: 1
  • 18 Months: 1
  • Just Under 2 Years (20-23 months): 8
  • 2 YEARS: 2
  • About 2 YEARS (25-28 months): 6
  • About 2.5 YEARS (29-31 months): 2
2. In your opinion, was that a good age?
  • Yes: 16
  • No: 2
  • Kind of: 2
3. If not, do you think it should have been done younger or older?
  • N/A: 15
  • Younger: 1
  • Older: 1
  • depends on their personality, my oldest is a people pleasure and very obedient, any age would have been fine, my middle son, took a LONG time he is just more strong willed
  • It (21 months) was an ok age, but would have preferred to wait longer, don't think you need to rush this unless there is a reason, we had a reason (holiday in a single bed).
4. How did you prepare your child for the transition?
  • Nothing: 8
  • Talked about it: 1
  • Made the bed smaller with bumper pads: 1
  • Started with just nights: 1
  • Talked about it being exciting: 8
  • Had child help with bed: 4
  • Read books about it with child: 1
5. What kind of rules did you set for the transition?
  • Stay in bed: 11
  • Stay in room:2
  • Call parents if something was needed: 7
  • Can read books in bed: 1
  • Only come out for potty: 2
  • None: 5
6. Did your child stay in bed at the transition, or did your child test limits a get out of bed?
  • Stayed: 12
  • Stayed initially but tested later: 4
  • Tested Limits: 4
7. If your child tested limits, what things did you do that helped your child stay in bed?
  • N/A: 11
  • Immediate Discipline: 4
  • Consistency: 1
  • Immediately return to bed: 1
  • Allow books: 2
  • Remove toys from room: 2
  • Blackout curtains: 1
8. Was there disruption to normal sleep patterns at the transition?
  • No: 16
  • Yes: 4
How long did it take your child to sleep as normal in the "big bed"?
  • Instant: 15
  • About a Week: 3
  • Several Weeks: 1
  • 6 months or more: 1
Any words of wisdom? Advice?

"know their personality. I knew she would be fine. my son does not have the same natural self control. work on building self control first by requiring them to stay put at various times throughout the day."

"We only had a very small crib, so we had to do the transition early. Now I'm happy we did, it might be easier this way. With he bumper pads I can make the space bigger as she grows."

" I am so glad I waited until she could truly understand the transition and her need to obey. There was no reason to hurry to a big bed in my opinion. We opted not to do the toddler bed since she had a double bed in her room anyway, so she moved right to that big bed. We used pool noodles under the fitted sheet to help her not fall out for the first few weeks in the big bed. 

Right at 3 years old, we started allowing her get up and go potty independently since she can do that completely on her own now & understands that it isn't a playing opportunity. 

I also bought her the "Ok To Wake Up" alarm clock right at 3 years old too. You can set it however you want for alarms or just light options and you can customize the times. It also has a separate nap timer you can set. She loves the responsibility of being allowed to get up on her own when it turns green. I love that it takes the pressure off us since she's no longer waiting for us to come in, but rather just waiting on the clock to change colors until she can get up for the day or from nap. It has been great!"

"Keep the same routines and just be firm about the fact that they should stay in the bed. Try and transition between age 2-3. I think around age 3 it may become harder. Once our DD could open doors, she started getting out of bed. I didn't feel like I could discipline, because I want her to get out of bed if she needs to potty. Now we have the OK to wake clock and that has been working well so far. She still has trouble with knowing its ok to get up and potty if she needs to, so that has caused some accidents."

"Be consistent in your responses. Stay calm, difficult to do at the end of a long day. We instituted the you may get out of bed to potty rule when it was appropriate."

"I think success can depend temperament/maturity of child and prior training by parents so child already understands behavior expected. Also consistency in rule enforcing always. Truth be told it was some fervent and desperate prayer. I was so scared it would be a failure bc he seemed so young but we believed it was our only choice, so I begged for mercy from God. He answered above and beyond my expectations."

"I'll also add that my daughter started climbing out of bed (crib) at 19 months. I thought it was all over and knew she wasn't ready to stay in a real bed on her own. I ended up telling her firmly that if she climbed out again she would get hurt, so she must stay inside. She said "okay." Happily and has never done it since. I tried this as a last ditch effort and thought it would totally fail. I'm so glad I got those extra 9 months bc now she's 100% ready and I love the extra cuddles we get in bed at bed time before lights out." (ultimately moved her at 29 months)

"it totally depends on your kid, my middle son does not do any change or transition well, so I expected this fight, but I know with consistency and patience all children can learn…. "

"Prepare them ahead of time for the transition."

"Leave it as long as you can, it doesn't need to be rushed, unless you have a reason, remove all distractions and be firm and consistent. The whole taking him back quietly to bed everytime he got up didn't work for us, we had to ignore him, now he gets up less."

"Be consistent - I think success in the transition of crib to bed is a direct correlation to your consistency in training and disciplining in every other area of your child's life. Don't give up!"

"Don't be afraid to go straight to twin bed, not toddler bed. My child stayed in bed in part because of the bed's height and that made transition easier."

" I won't move my second born to a bed until I think he's ready, new baby or not. It caused unnecessary stress for us. Blackout curtains were very helpful."

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Poll Discussion Post: Crib to Bed Transition


Time for a poll on the Crib to Bed transition. Here are the questions:
  1. What age did you first move your child from crib to bed?
  2. In your opinion, was that a good age?
  3. If not, do you think it should have been done younger or older?
  4. How did you prepare your child for the transition?
  5. What kind of rules did you set for the transition?
  6. Did your child stay in bed at the transition, or did your child test limits a get out of bed?
  7. If your child tested limits, what things did you do that helped your child stay in bed?
  8. Was there disruption to normal sleep patterns at the transition?
  9. How long did it take your child to sleep as normal in the "big bed"?
  10. Any words of wisdom? Advice?
You can answer for each child you have that has made the transition.

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Poll Results: AT WHAT AGE DID YOU MOVE FROM THE CRIB TO BED?


Before 12 months
  4 (2%)
12-18 months
  17 (9%)
18-24 months
  72 (40%)
2-2.5 years
  49 (27%)
2.5-3 years
  23 (13%)
3-4 years
  11 (6%)
4 years or older
  0 (0%)


Votes so far: 176 

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Reminder: You can leave comments on poll results posts if you would like to add to the poll after it has closed. This would be helpful for those who have more than one child, those whose children have reached certain ages after a poll closed, and those who didn't visit the blog while that poll was open. To find closed polls, click on the poll results link above
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Toddler Summary: 2.5 Years


Does it seem to anyone else like it was just yesterday I was typing "baby summary 3 months"--and now here I am with a 30 month old toddler?!?!?? Pretty crazy.

Okay, of all of McKenna's months in life, this month was the HARDEST. She has been so whiny, impatient, and demanding. When it first started, I vocalized that I really hoped she was getting a two year molar in so it would help explain the behavior. Not only was she getting one, she was getting two. Poor girl.

EATING
Some children don't eat as well when they are teething. That is not true for McKenna. She still eats a lot. I am telling you, she eats at least half of my oatmeal each morning. I guess it could be considered a nice diet program for me? I know I could make more, but I just know that as soon as I do, she won't want to eat it. I can't see food go to waste, so I would eat all of it and be overly full. I am fine--don't worry about me ;)

PLAYTIME
Playtime is still going well. With drop offs and school schedules for older children, she doesn't always get her independent play in each day. She really likes it, and she is happier if she has it. So if we aren't home for her to have it in the morning, I will let her have it after nap and before dinner if there is time.

SLEEPING
This was our big event of the week. McKenna moved to a twin bed! We decided to just go buy a bed, which worked out perfectly with Labor Day sales. It has been about a month, and so far, she has been a perfect angel about it (*knocking on wood*). She stays in her bed, she goes to sleep well...she was so excited to get her big girl bed. 

For the first few days, she did wake up quite a bit earlier in the morning. Where I usually have to wake her up at 8:30 AM, she would wake at 7:30. This wasn't a problem in my case because 7:30 is far more convenient for me. But after a few days, she got used to sleeping in a different bed and went back to normal. That is something important to remember when your child is sleeping in a new place, whether vacation or a new bed at home. The first night will usually not be idea. After 1-3 nights, things should be normal.

MOMMY TIME
Having time with just McKenna has been very valuable this month. The first days of school, McKenna was very upset to see Brayden and Kaitlyn go. She wanted to stay with them. After a few days, however, she was thrilled to have so much of my direct attention. The days go by so quickly that we can't get everything done we would like to, so we are never bored. 

TEETHING
Oh those molars! I hate two year molars. They take so long to come in and they are so painful for the child. It really impacts personality. Be patient when your child is teething. Imagine constant pain and how you would be disposition-wise, account for the child's total lack of maturity, and it will help you have more patience during the teething times. 

LOOKING AHEAD
In the next month, we will start potty training (since I am writing this "in the next month" I know we already have....but I will make you wait for the information). 

OUR SCHEDULE
1-3 days a week, this schedules is disrupted due to school drop offs and pick ups. I still need to perfect what it will be for the school year. Now that we have been in school for a month, I think I have a better idea for what we should do.

8:00--Wake up and eat breakfast
9:15--Get ready
9:30--Chores
10:00--Walk or bike ride
10:30--Independent Play
11:30--TV time possibly
12:00--Lunch
12:30--Learning activity and free play with sibling
1:30--Nap
4:00 or 4:30--Get up--or free play. 
5:30--Dinner
6:00--Family Activities
7:30--Get ready for bed
8:00--Bedtime

GOOD BOOKS/WEBSITES
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Poll Results: At what age did you allow your child to get out of bed on own? (approximate)

2 year old
  21 (24%)
 
3 year old
  33 (38%)
 
4 year old
  20 (23%)
 
5 year old
  3 (3%)
 
6 or older
  2 (2%)
 
Younger than 2
  6 (7%)
 

Votes so far: 85 

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Reminder: You can leave comments on poll results posts if you would like to add to the poll after it has closed. This would be helpful for those who have more than one child, those whose children have reached certain ages after a poll closed, and those who didn't visit the blog while that poll was open. To find closed polls, click on the poll results link above
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