Any other expectant Dads?
Discussion
The Moose said:
Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
Stuff
Totally off topic, but your username always makes me chuckle on this thread 
Register1 said:
7 months tomorrow.
We are both super excited.
Her will have about 6 weeks or more at home.
Her wants to get back as soon as practicable.
I will be full time at home.
Permanent "stay at home dad"
All the shared parental is sorted.
The statutory paternity, sorted.
I will earn holiday pay, but wont be planning to go back.
3 D scan booked for Wednesday, in 2 days time.
I guess you’re looking forward to being a SAHD? I’ve always been one and absolutely love it and it’s great that there’s a few on here. We are both super excited.
Her will have about 6 weeks or more at home.
Her wants to get back as soon as practicable.
I will be full time at home.
Permanent "stay at home dad"
All the shared parental is sorted.
The statutory paternity, sorted.
I will earn holiday pay, but wont be planning to go back.
3 D scan booked for Wednesday, in 2 days time.
Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
The Moose said:
Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
Stuff
Totally off topic, but your username always makes me chuckle on this thread Register1 said:
7 months tomorrow.
We are both super excited.
Her will have about 6 weeks or more at home.
Her wants to get back as soon as practicable.
I will be full time at home.
Permanent "stay at home dad"
All the shared parental is sorted.
The statutory paternity, sorted.
I will earn holiday pay, but wont be planning to go back.
3 D scan booked for Wednesday, in 2 days time.
I guess you’re looking forward to being a SAHD? I’ve always been one and absolutely love it and it’s great that there’s a few on here. We are both super excited.
Her will have about 6 weeks or more at home.
Her wants to get back as soon as practicable.
I will be full time at home.
Permanent "stay at home dad"
All the shared parental is sorted.
The statutory paternity, sorted.
I will earn holiday pay, but wont be planning to go back.
3 D scan booked for Wednesday, in 2 days time.
For some reason, I feel so much more connected to this baby than the other 4,
Not that I dont love them any less.
Its just different.
That's really rough most dads have been there, I had similar issues around that age, I just threw in the towel and slept next to my son for a bit, his big sister stepping in when she could so I could take a break and sleep in my own bed.
That went on for about 3 1/2 months and he is fine to sleep on his own again now.
Apart from Christmas eve and he decided to try and wake us all at 4.55am. Nope. We (mostly) ignored him and he took himself back to bed at 6am
In terms of sickness and bugs nothing to report at all so far out here in Spain, norovirus did arrive at his nursery last month but he dodged it on the day it arrived (Friday) as he was off. All the staff got taken out too mind and the nursery had to close for a day.
Apart from that, being able to play outside, having all the windows and doors open all year round at the nursery is a big reason for moving and it seems to be working so far. Touch wood!
the-norseman said:
Our lad was 1.5 on Christmas day, his sleep has been terrible again recently.
I was due up at 0600 for work (from home luckily) as hes been up since 0200, just got him up at 0530 and brought him down.
My lad is a week older than yours and is doing exactly the same thing. I was due up at 0600 for work (from home luckily) as hes been up since 0200, just got him up at 0530 and brought him down.
Have you two heard of the Gro Clock? You set it to change colour at what ever time you’d like your kid to get out of bed, and after some (or maybe a lot) of training then all being well they’ll comply with the rule. It worked eventually with our first and was a breeze with our second.
We have our girls’ clocks set to 7:15 meaning our mornings start at a sensible time!
We have our girls’ clocks set to 7:15 meaning our mornings start at a sensible time!
the-norseman said:
Our lad was 1.5 on Christmas day, his sleep has been terrible again recently.
I was due up at 0600 for work (from home luckily) as hes been up since 0200, just got him up at 0530 and brought him down.
As others have said, sleep regressions are not uncommon at all - not that that magically cures it or anything. There's a good app called Wonder Weeks that helps chart when babies are likely to hit common stages in development (both positive and negative), if nothing else it can give some small comfort that you're not alone. At best it can help you identify what's going on for them which then might lead to finding things that may help and how long you can expect it to last.I was due up at 0600 for work (from home luckily) as hes been up since 0200, just got him up at 0530 and brought him down.
Doubtless there'll be a couple of folk along to say it's total rubbish etc. and of course not all babies are the same or follow noted patterns. In our experience with two boys, the experience of a number of friends and family and from what I've read earlier in this thread though it's certainly worth a look.
Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
Have you two heard of the Gro Clock? You set it to change colour at what ever time you’d like your kid to get out of bed, and after some (or maybe a lot) of training then all being well they’ll comply with the rule. It worked eventually with our first and was a breeze with our second.
We have our girls’ clocks set to 7:15 meaning our mornings start at a sensible time!
Set ours to 8am for the Xmas period We have our girls’ clocks set to 7:15 meaning our mornings start at a sensible time!
We used wonderweeks - found it largely pointless. Basically nearly all the time your kid may do any of these 45 things. Ok thanks for that.
okgo said:
Set ours to 8am for the Xmas period
We tried 7:45 during the summer holidays but they both wake around 7:00-7:30 and we ended up feeling a bit tight about making them wait so long and reverted to the normal 
I can’t imagine not having the clocks, we take them whenever we stay away.
Getting closer for us now due date is 25th of February. After a bumpy start things have settled down and all is looking good.
Appointment in January to agree plan a,b,c etc with the consultant for the birth. Past illness for my wife potentially adds some complication's so she is being consultant lead all the way. The hospital has so far seemed on top of things.
Not going to lie I have found her being pregnant very stressful. I’m more worried about something happening to her most days, just need to get past the birth and then I can properly think about and throw myself into all the baby stuff.
Feel reasonable organised though, Nursery all sorted, pram etc all gets delivered early Jan.
It’s definitely been a real mix of emotions in recent months.
Appointment in January to agree plan a,b,c etc with the consultant for the birth. Past illness for my wife potentially adds some complication's so she is being consultant lead all the way. The hospital has so far seemed on top of things.
Not going to lie I have found her being pregnant very stressful. I’m more worried about something happening to her most days, just need to get past the birth and then I can properly think about and throw myself into all the baby stuff.
Feel reasonable organised though, Nursery all sorted, pram etc all gets delivered early Jan.
It’s definitely been a real mix of emotions in recent months.
Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
Have you two heard of the Gro Clock? You set it to change colour at what ever time you’d like your kid to get out of bed, and after some (or maybe a lot) of training then all being well they’ll comply with the rule. It worked eventually with our first and was a breeze with our second.
We have our girls’ clocks set to 7:15 meaning our mornings start at a sensible time!
we've had these for our kids' whole lives to date. We still use them and they will be 7 and 5 in a couple of weeks! 7:30am is our 'morning' time. Not sure the eldest still needs it but it's just a habit now and it's still useful info for her.We have our girls’ clocks set to 7:15 meaning our mornings start at a sensible time!
Obviously you need to reinforce it with the kid(s) repeatedly as they won't understand what it means just by virtue of it sitting on their bedside table. There will be times in the first 18-24 months where it will seem pointless, but if you persevere then it works.
They are totally fine with it and if they wake early they just read until the clock goes yellow.
How do you entertain your kids during this crap weather?(well I guess most of the year than..) I tried all those wellies and raincoat crap to go outdoors but with severe rain and wind it's no fun... We are fortunate enough to have a good sized garden and green spaces around but with crap weather completely limited options. We had a fantastic day a few days ago and kiddo slept well and happy which made a huge difference.
Just to say screens or movies no-go as we decided not to expose screen time until he is three. We are only allowing him to watch basic cartoons during medical appointments for distraction and no TV around during the day.
Just to say screens or movies no-go as we decided not to expose screen time until he is three. We are only allowing him to watch basic cartoons during medical appointments for distraction and no TV around during the day.
ooid said:
How do you entertain your kids during this crap weather?(well I guess most of the year than..) I tried all those wellies and raincoat crap to go outdoors but with severe rain and wind it's no fun... We are fortunate enough to have a good sized garden and green spaces around but with crap weather completely limited options. We had a fantastic day a few days ago and kiddo slept well and happy which made a huge difference.
Just to say screens or movies no-go as we decided not to expose screen time until he is three. We are only allowing him to watch basic cartoons during medical appointments for distraction and no TV around during the day.
Its really hard to entertain a busy under 3 when the weather is rubbish.Just to say screens or movies no-go as we decided not to expose screen time until he is three. We are only allowing him to watch basic cartoons during medical appointments for distraction and no TV around during the day.
Soft play is a decent option, assuming they like that kind of thing.
the-norseman said:
Our lad was 1.5 on Christmas day, his sleep has been terrible again recently.
I was due up at 0600 for work (from home luckily) as hes been up since 0200, just got him up at 0530 and brought him down.
Our lad was 18 months just before Christmas, so sounds like we're on a similar journey. I was due up at 0600 for work (from home luckily) as hes been up since 0200, just got him up at 0530 and brought him down.
He's always been a great sleeper (unless sick), but he's in the bed with us. Wasn't our intention, but these things have a way of creeping up on you. So co-sleeping seems to be great for getting a good nights kip. Not so good for private time as a couple!
We spent 3 nights in hospital at the start of December with suspected RSV. I'd never heard of it, but know a lot about it now! Seems to be getting more common. He had a bad cough over the last few days. Was up again at 3am this morning, coughing and needing an inhaler. Might be a different virus, we're not sure. Doctors visit today reassured us that it isn't serious at the moment. I think he's improving.
So much sickness in the house this last year & a half! A part of new parenthood often overlooked.
ooid said:
How do you entertain your kids during this crap weather?(well I guess most of the year than..) I tried all those wellies and raincoat crap to go outdoors but with severe rain and wind it's no fun... We are fortunate enough to have a good sized garden and green spaces around but with crap weather completely limited options. We had a fantastic day a few days ago and kiddo slept well and happy which made a huge difference.
Just to say screens or movies no-go as we decided not to expose screen time until he is three. We are only allowing him to watch basic cartoons during medical appointments for distraction and no TV around during the day.
no xmas presents to play with them?Just to say screens or movies no-go as we decided not to expose screen time until he is three. We are only allowing him to watch basic cartoons during medical appointments for distraction and no TV around during the day.
ooid said:
How do you entertain your kids during this crap weather?(well I guess most of the year than..) I tried all those wellies and raincoat crap to go outdoors but with severe rain and wind it's no fun... We are fortunate enough to have a good sized garden and green spaces around but with crap weather completely limited options. We had a fantastic day a few days ago and kiddo slept well and happy which made a huge difference.
Just to say screens or movies no-go as we decided not to expose screen time until he is three. We are only allowing him to watch basic cartoons during medical appointments for distraction and no TV around during the day.
build a den (move sofas, use chairs, bedsheets etc…)Just to say screens or movies no-go as we decided not to expose screen time until he is three. We are only allowing him to watch basic cartoons during medical appointments for distraction and no TV around during the day.
painting/ drawing (rip open a big cardboard box and let them go to town)
a treasure hunt (make a map, hid silly things round the house- a toy tiger in a plant pot, a toy shark in the bath)
hide and seek
play with dolls/babies/ barbie’s/ cars/ farm animals (i’ve spent far too long playing ‘mums and dads’ over christmas)
trip to the supermarket to buy shopping- ours love pushing the trolley, yes she can’t actually push a big trolley, but it takes a long time but makes her happy!
baking- buy a pre made cupcake set/ mix thing from the supermarket (they taste rank, but by the time the cakes are ready they don’t want them any more)
make jelly- as above, they just like being involved
forest/ tree walk- kinda shelters from the rain, leaves/ sticks to pick up
Blown2CV said:
no xmas presents to play with them?
Some but taking around top 5 mins to destroy and move on... 
Thanks for the suggestions, it is really exhausting to keep them indoors with the plays. I've tried soft-play a few days ago, took him to Battersea Power station they had a really nice designated area for kids. I think it took him around 10 mins in total to finish all activities and start wandering around randomly by bumping into people.
We went to Spain for a family visit before christmas, the weather was fantastic so mostly walking around parks or buggy, he was having decent naps and evening sleeps, reminded me last summer when everything was easier!
ooid said:
We went to Spain for a family visit before christmas, the weather was fantastic so mostly walking around parks or buggy, he was having decent naps and evening sleeps, reminded me last summer when everything was easier!
naps not a problem in Spain, the problem is getting them to bed before 11pm because they can play outside all year round soft play in the UK is good but again the problem at this time of the year through April is risk of infection, the kids pick up so many bugs through soft play in the UK you end up dreading it.
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