Brinley Toddler Summary: 30 Months Old {2.5 Years}

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Helping me make banana bread

This is a summary for Brinley from 29.5-30 months old.

 

SLEEPING

Sleeping is much improved at this point. She is upset every time it is time for a nap. McKenna is gone at Kindergarten each day until lunch, then they eat and play. She is always so sad to have to stop playing and go to nap. Sometimes I let them play longer, but that always leads to a much larger meltdown when it is time to nap (overly tired). 

 

I have started saying, “Time to read stories!” instead of “Time for nap!” That lessens the blow for her. McKenna always comes in to read stories with us, and that is thrilling for Brinley. I do like my children to get individual reading time each day, and Brinley gets that at bedtime, so reading with McKenna at nap time is great fun.

 

I can totally understand why parents will stop giving naps around this age. It is easier to let her play than to go through the drama of announcing nap time. It is short lived, but not fun still. I can’t let myself drop the nap, however, because I am just a huge believer in the importance of sleep. I believe it is good for the brain–I have read it not only in studies cited in infant sleep books but also in books that are just discussing the human brain (short naps have been found to be quite beneficial for adult brains, too). I believe it is good for growth and development. So we are pushing through! 

 

EATING

Eating is great. No worries here.

 

PLAYTIME

Playtime is also very good. She didn’t get out of independent play at all during this period. She plays well on her own and with her siblings (whom she calls “my friends”). She is also great at helping clean up when playtime is over.

 

LEARNING TIME

We are doing learning time each day following the Babes, Tots, and Kids curriculum that Raegan and I wrote. She loves learning time!

 

BATH UPDATE

Last time, I shared our epic bath battle. 

 

One day at bath time, Brinley was not excited to go. I asked her, “Would you like to take a bath or have a time out?” She chose bath, but she was obviously not thrilled about it. I told her, “Great, let’s go!” and I walked to the bathroom. Brinley stood in the kitchen. I didn’t stare her down or force her into the room. Children often need a chance to Surrender with Dignity and I was letting her have that moment. I could hear her talking to herself in the kitchen. “Mommy says I take a bath. I don’t want to bath!” She talked with herself about this for 2-5 minutes. At that point, I called to her, “Brinley!” She responded, “Yes Mommy?” “It is time for bath now sweetie!” She replied, “Okay Mommy, I coming!” She came into the bathroom with a happy heart and was ready for a bath.

 

The story has continued on from there. She is now asking to take a bath every single day. Every day. She is loving bath time.

 

This is a success story on what can happen when you are consistent with your rules and expectations. Yesterday I talked about Getting Children to Obey the First Time. I talked about how important it is to be consistent and not be too lazy or busy to reinforce rules. That day of the epic bath battle, I definitely had a million other things to do with my time other than wait for her to have her 20 minute time out in an effort to avoid taking a bath (Have I mentioned I am direction a musical at the elementary right now? Yeah–plenty to do). 

 

I also could have said to myself, “No big deal. She can skip a bath today.” It is true, she could  have skipped a bath that day and been fine. At her age, however, it is so important to be consistent in your expectations and requirements for obedience. Older children can talk to you about maybe moving bath to a different day. A two year old can not. I am totally positive that if I had allowed her to skip the bath that day that we would not be having pleasant bath experiences now. We would be having an epic battle every time I told her it was time for a bath. 

 

TEETHING

Brinley’s bottom two 2 Year Molars are in! I am sure that is why she was putting up such a fight for naps last month. They are mostly in and she is mostly pleasant 🙂 The top ones still need to come in. 2 year molars are the worst!

 

CHOOSING CLOTHES

There are some days I allow Brinley to choose her shirt. I like to start with just one thing or the other so the clothes can still match no matter what she changes. I don’t do it every day. She is at the age where The Choice Addiction and Too Many Freedoms are very real realities, so she chooses some days and I choose others.

 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Brinley is a great communicator. I have said before, but let me reiterate, toddlers who communicate well are toddlers who have fewer tantrums. It is very nice.

 

Brinley is precise in her language. For example, I say, “Let’s put socks on your feet–socks will keep your feet nice and warm!” Brinley replies, “Yes but socks make my feet very hot too!” If I ask Brinley, “Are you cold?” she replies, “No I am freezing!” 

 

POTTY TRAINING

I have an official potty training plan! Brinley is still showing a lot of interest in potty training. She also is telling me when she pees in her diaper. She still hasn’t had success, but I want to try it while she is very interested and excited. I got her this Fisher-price Ladybug Potty. We are going to try it out starting this coming Thursday (two more days!). McKenna has no school, so she will be able to be an enthusiastic helper. Older siblings are great at showing younger siblings how to do things. They are also more than helpful when you are doing a treat system like I do (you can read how I do it here: Potty Training: How I Do It). 

 

I am nervous. I have often shared that Brinley is a lot like Brayden in many ways. She has never peed on the potty before, and with my girls, they had both peed before we ever tackled potty training. We tried potty training with Brayden at about 2.5, and he just wasn’t ready. But, at 3, he was trained in a day. I just have to remind myself that if it doesn’t work this time, we can try it later and it will work at some point.

MOMMY/BRINLEY DATE
You might remember that I have a goal this year to do better about dates with our children. This month, I had a date with Brinley. We went to get her some new shoes and then tried out a cupcake place. She had a great time going and doing something special with me. I called it a “date” and it made her more excited about it. 

 

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

 

HELPFUL BOOKS

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