The Poopsie Collective

Morning Routines with a Preschooler

Written by BROOKE 

I’m not much of a routine person. I’m more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants person. I always have been. But there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mom and it is that in certain cases, a routine can really help with the screaming, whining, cajoling, begging and punishing that starts to happen when you have to be out the door at a certain time. 

For the first half of this year preschool mornings weren’t too bad. They coincided with the days of my early runs so I was up early and home by 7am. The kids were up and I had over an hour before we had to be out of the house—no big deal. Lately though, the early morning workouts are not happening. Instead I stay in bed with a pillow over my head until the last possible second (or until Brady insists that I come “downstairs, WIGHT NOW!”). Aaron gets the kids downstairs and usually manages to throw a piece of toast at them with some fruit, which will at least tide them over until I can drag my sorry pregnant butt out of bed. 

At that point we only have about 45 minutes until we have to leave. And it is chaos. I am trying to get myself ready for the gym, get the kids dressed, everyone’s teeth brushed, backpack packed, eat my own breakfast so I don’t pass out, and get out the door. It is nuts. And I usually end up yelling. A lot. So I decided something needed to change. And it wasn’t going to be me getting out of bed earlier. Because really, all that meant was that I’d have an extra 30 min to yell and it wasn’t really solving the problem that Zach had no desire to MOVE in the mornings. Matchbox cars and TV shows were much more interesting than getting dressed and brushing his teeth. 

So I decided to put it in my four-year-old’s hands. He’s really in to responsibility. He loves it when I give him jobs like emptying the silverware from the clean dishwasher (he actually asks me multiple times a day if the silverware needs to be emptied). So I went online (what did moms do before Pinterest?) and found a chart. A sticker chart that has pictures and tells him what needs to be done each morning. There are lots out there but I found one that had the basics I wanted—-get dressed, brush teeth, eat breakfast (I told him that also means clearing his place), get hair combed, and backpack ready. I put it in a sheet protector, because I’m way too lazy to get it laminated, and found some stickers I had leftover from potty training (another time a sticker chart worked great for us). 

Now I’m not going to say this has solved all of our problems. But it has REALLY, really helped. It is nice to just say (even if I have to say it 20 times) “check your chart!” Instead of “GET UP HERE AND BRUSH YOUR TEETH!” Instead of feeling like I’m nagging him I’m reminding him how to get stickers, which he loves. He is much more motivated to get ready and I am much less stressed. It even motivates the two-year-old because he wants to do everything his brother does. 

I feel like one of the hard things about having a preschooler is reminding yourself that even though it might be easier to remind them or tell them everything, or even do it for them, all they are really craving is some autonomy and independence. I have to keep reminding myself that putting him in charge is exactly what he wants and the more I can channel it into something positive, the better. Otherwise he asserts his independence by fighting with his brother and defying me. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a few more charts around this house. 

Selective Memory: A Mother’s Gift to Herself

Written by GWEN

After I had Izzy, everyone told me I would forget the pain of giving birth and eventually I would feel ready to have another one.  I think that advice really holds true for most things with kids, not just birth. Somehow I can imagine having another baby now, even though in addition to the actual birth, the sleepless nights and year of lop-sided boobs definitely made me feel like once was ENOUGH! Likewise, every time I travel with Izzy, I think to myself, “That’s IT! We’re never leaving our flat again!” And yet, once the trip is over, I get home and start planning the next one.

Just last week I flew with Izzy, sans Adam, to New York for a friend’s wedding and to see my parents. It’s not that Izzy was bad on the flight. He didn’t cry or throw tantrums. He was simply a one and a half year old. He wanted to run around, explore and play games. So for two hours, I chased Izzy up and down the aisles, while avoiding eye contact with anyone in our path. At one point, he grabbed a mini whiskey bottle from the catering cart and before I could snatch it out of his hands, he was tearing through Economy, Economy Plus and Business. My reaction? Well, it was three-fold really: This sucks. This is kinda funny. What would happen if he drank a little??

Once we were in New York, things only sort of improved. It was great to see Izzy with my parents and to spend time with my friends, but his jet-lagged 4am wake-up times were less than ideal. We were only there for four days, so he never properly adjusted. At the end of the trip, a family friend looked at the bags under my eyes and asked, “Was it worth it?” If she had asked me this question on the plane, I would have said no immediately, but in retrospect, I would say of course! Just like giving birth, the plane was ridiculously painful, but obviously Izzy was worth every contraction (well, maybe not those last few. JK!!) and seeing him with his grandparents and watching them discover his amazing little personality and all his funny habits that I know so well, is worth the whisky bottle drama every time!

Izzy passing out in the car from the airport!!

The Terrible Twos Come Early?

Written by GWEN 

Sometimes I read Brooke’s posts about tantrums and grocery store scenes and I get really, really scared. (No offense Brooke!) But I wonder how I will handle it and, of course, deep down think, my Izzy will NEVER throw tantrums. And yet, at 17 months, it has already started. They’re not full fledged yet and don’t include any I HATE YOU MOMs, since he has a pretty limited vocabulary, but the screaming fits and crying over something utterly ridiculous have definitely arrived.

Mainly, they occur when we take things away from him—duh. Izzy seems to have a penchant for playing with things that aren’t toys at all. And when I say penchant, I mean he becomes OBSESSED. Like with the vacuum, cereals, pens, and just this morning… my razor. This brings me to my next point. With these irrational obsessions and tantrums comes the necessity for actual parenting skills and discipline. Things I have worked very hard to avoid up until now. Obviously I had to draw the line at my razor, but I mean… if he wants to play with the cereal, it’s not hurting anyone. I say go for it. That is until Adam comes downstairs and sees a trail of Cheerios all over the living room rug.

“GWEN! Why does he have that? That is just asking to make a mess!”

“Well, he took it out of the cupboard. I didn’t even see him do it.”

“Did you open the cupboard for him?”

“I mean… yeah, but he loves it so much! Look how happy he is.”

These conversations are then followed by Adam grabbing the cereal box from Izzy and putting it away. Which is then followed by Izzy bursting into hysterical tears. Usually these little tanties pass fairly quickly and I am able to distract him with other things, but Izzy does not forget. Twenty minutes later, he’s back in from of the kitchen cupboard saying, “More! More. MORE!” Clearly I need to be more disciplined with him, and I have started, but he’s always going to want what he can’t have, right? I know, I know, BOUNDARIES!

This morning, I was upstairs getting ready for work, while Adam was downstairs with Izzy, when all of a sudden Izzy burst into tears. Face bright red sobbing, “MOMMY! MOMMY!” I ran downstairs to hold him and asked Adam what had happened. Nothing. He was standing in the middle of the room and had a melt down. Just missed me I guess. Kinda flattering, but also kinda terrifying.

Did I also mention he’s obsessed with toothbrushes? And bowls?

Toddler Solutions: Snack Trays for Mealtime

written by STEPHANIE

You might recall from last week’s post that I have a finicky eater in my household. After  Activities for Toddlers: Sorting my daughter became obsessed with having her snack from the mini-muffin tin. As I was getting her lunch ready yesterday, she held up the tin and pointed to the food I was prepping. I obliged, filling each of the twelve spots with something bite sized, colorful, healthy and tasty. And you know what? She ate and had fun.

Since, each of her meals have been from the tray. Not sure how this will translate when we go out for a meal, but I’ll cross that tantrum when we get to it. 

It’s challenging to keep meals fun and interesting, while also imparting good manners and expectations. I try my best to avoid the pitfalls of convenience when they aren’t in her best interests, but some days she only eats yogurt drops (and not the homemade version!) and I have to accept that. I’m not sure if the muffin tins are setting her me up for a nightmare in the future, but for the time being I will indulge her.

I’d love to know what you do to keep your kids engaged with their meals, while still serving up healthy food and habits. Post your comments below.  

Things We’re Really Into Right Now

Written by GWEN

Now that Izzy is almost 16 months old, I can really see a little boy emerging. More and more of his own personality presents itself every day. He definitely knows what he likes, what he doesn’t like, what he finds funny and who needs a good hug. So, I thought I’d do a little compare and contrast of what I’m really into right now and, more importantly, what Izzy is really into at the mo’. 

IZZY

1) Umbrellas—open or closed, rain or shine

2) Bananas. He likes to eat them, but lately he just insists on carrying one everywhere he goes. Freudian? We won’t go there

3) Dogs, which are known as “Woof”

4) Having a good giggle

5) Lying on the couch with mommy and Leroy watching cartoons

6) Doors…opening and closing them. If there are keys involved, all the better

7) Stairs and slides 

8) Animal crackers 

9) Giving hugs and kisses—you should be so lucky!

10) Jay-Z (I swear to god.) And the theme song to Friends

11) Pooping

Izzy playing with the gate to the playground! It’s a type of door.

ME

1) My Wednesday morning pilates class

2) Uniqlo jeans

3) Food52.com & Bill Granger’s Feed Me Now

4) Having a good giggle

5) Boozy lunches (because boozy dinners aren’t as fun now that no matter what I have to be up at 6:15 the next morning)

6) Lying on the couch with Izzy and Leroy watching “Pretty Little Liars”

7) My Kindle (see how I just put a trashy TV show on my list and then told you I read too?)

8) Spring/Summer Isabel Marant

9) Making Summer travel plans

10) Elderflower Ricola (I’ve been sick for the last two months basically, which sucks, but I have to say these things taste GOOD)

11) Pooping. Isn’t everyone?

Keeping Track of the Memories

Written by BROOKE

One day it just happens. Your little toddler goes from babbling the cutest and sweetest things you’ve ever heard to a three or four-year-old spewing out this sass-filled, crazy talk. At first, you just stand there, totally blindsided. And then you usually alternate between laughing hysterically (and trying to hide it) and wanting to scream. 

I am in the middle of the crazy sass-filled talk right now. The things that come out of this kid’s mouth make us laugh and cringe daily. I have a friend who regularly records her almost-four-year-old’s funnies on her blog. I realized that while I can usually remember Zach’s long enough to repeat them to my husband or mother later on the phone, I am rapidly forgetting these hilarious things he’s saying. And that someday, when he’s saying really hateful teenager things, I’m going to long for the memories of these funny four-year-old days. 

I asked my girlfriend how she kept track of the funny things her daughter said because I was forgetting Zach’s way too fast. She told me she keeps a “T” tab on the notepad part of her phone and jots them down on there. Then when she had a few built up she recorded them on her blog. I loved the idea. I think you could do it with your phone, a little notepad in your purse, or any other number of ways. But I think that if we don’t keep track of some of the hysterical moments, we’ll regret it later. 

So my new challenge is to keep better track of the memories. I want to be able to look back on them someday. And I am already glad that I’m doing it. 

And since you asked, yes, I’ll share a few. And my friend gave me permission to share a few of her little funny girl’s too. 

Recent Zach Funnies: 

“If you don’t let me play the Wii, I’m going to eat CANDY for lunch!” (What a threat!)

“I’m going to send you out to the forest and the animals are going to eat you!” 

After I called another driver a less than stellar name, “Mom, I’m so glad you didn’t call him an idiot.” (What I called him was quite a bit worse than idiot.)

“Mom, I like that dress, it’s not ugly at all.” 

“That’s it! I’m sending you to bed! Without your phone.”  (This kid knows what punishment would work for me!) 

Another funny: after setting up blankets, pillows, cars, books and the ramp in the middle of the hallway so no one could pass, “Mom! We’re having a sleepover!” 

And from the girls’ side. Some “T” Funnies:

Friday night there was a problem at work and her dad had to go in after dinner; he was explaining to T that he had to go back to work and that he’d see her in the morning…

D: Daddy has to go back to work tonight T, I will see you in the morning ok? 

T: Why dad? 

D: Because there are some people at work that aren’t being very nice, so I have to go remind them how to be nice. 

T: Oh, are they hitting, dad? 

D: No, I think that they’re not using nice words. 

T: Oh, like are they saying poop and pee to each other? Dad, you just put them in time out ok?

To her one-year-old brother “B, you are a commoner.” 

When she was mad at her mom: “Mom! If you do that I will go in my bedroom and cut my fairies’ hair!!”

So, how do you keep track of the funnies in your life? Share your ideas with us, or share your kids’ best funnies at poopsiecollective@gmail.com or on our Facebook page.

Toddler Activity: Creative Crates

written by STEPHANIE

Boxes are piled on my desk: Aamzon, Zappos, 6pm.com, Wag… I’m a bit of an internet shopper. I find catharsis in loading up my “cart”, and from time to time, the goods actually make it through the checkout process, finding their way into my home.

The shipping boxes have a second life of their own. They become Creative Crates, offering endless entertainment for my daughter. She loves pulling items out of the boxes, or putting new objects inside. She stacks the boxes on top of one another, lines them up in neat rows, sits atop them, and loads them on top of the dog. Sometimes I preload the boxes with items I hope she will find interesting, like wooden blocks or measuring cups. And I try to change the contents every few days to keep things fresh. This type of play is important, as it allows your child to explore and use his/her imagination freely. Too often during the day we have to tell them “no”. So filling the boxes with safe items is a lovely way to give them an opportunity to play without limitations. This activity is one that grows with your child, as you can change the boxes’ contents to be age appropriate, filling it with art supplies and such as your child gets older. Plus, this can be FREE! There’s no need to buy anything. 

Here’s how you can make your own Creative Crates:

- a box (or more)

- household items like socks, books, empty toilet paper rolls, rubber ducks, spoons, plastic bowls, etc. It’s nice to fill a box thematically to help your child find similarities in the items. For instance, all red items, or plush items. 

Have fun!

Activities for Toddlers: Sorting

written by STEPHANIE

My 16 month old daughter is high energy. She is quick, she is busy and she wants to be stimulated all the time. I have felt at my wits end with her the last few weeks looking for activities to keep her occupied. Here is the latest that I have to say was a pretty big hit!

What you’ll need:

- Cheerios in a large bowl

- Muffin tin

- Measuring cups

- Tupperware containers (very small)

I set her up on the coffee table because it’s her height and allows her to move around. She doesn’t like being in a chair. She first sampled the goods, happily munching on her favorite snack. Then I showed her that the Cheerios could be scooped up with the measuring cups and dropped into the muffin tins. She got it from there and went to town meticulously moving Cheerios between containers and eating a few more along the way. Then she stuck her hands into the bowl of Cheerios and giggled while she gripped them in her fists. 

After about 20 minutes, she expanded the game from the table and onto the floor, dropping Cheerios first one by one, then by the handful. The dog sat nearby waiting for her turn to clean-up. When my daughter then picked up what was left in the bowl and started to take it away from the table, I steered her back, at which point she lost interest and wanted to play with the kitchen towels that she carts around the house in her doll stroller. 

I picked up the containers on the table, asked the dog to take care of the floor droppings and we were done! Easy set-up, easy clean-up, and my daughter was delighted by the game. 

Next time? I will use multi-colored snacks to introduce an additional sorting element.

Do you have an activity your toddler enjoys? Please email us at poopsiecollective@gmail.com … We’d love to share it with all our readers. 

Bye-Bye Baby!

written by STEPHANIE

At my grandmother’s funeral Marlowe got squirmy. My cousin leaned into me and asked, “Does Marlolwe want a lolli?” Her voice got really quiet as she said lolli, as if every child in a 1 mile radius was going to come running to her in hysterics. Marlowe had never partaken in a lollipop before. She’d never had candy, period. But I was a bit desperate and my cousin confessed that it’s a sure fire way to buy herself some squirm-free time from her own little ones. I decided to give it a go. What ensued was something like feeding a Gremlin after midnight… Marlowe became a sticky, dirty, sugar-high, little demon. I didn’t want her to touch ANYTHING and I didn’t want ANYONE to touch her. She was gross. And when I’d decided she’d had enough, the little Gremlin screamed bloody murder. Fantastic at a funeral. Was all that mess really worth it?

Yep, we took a photo at the funeral. Classy.

Yesterday we met friends at the playground — Marlowe’s first real venture into sand. That stuff gets EVERYWHERE! Shoes, socks, diaper, ears, hair and obviously, mouth. I hope she at least trusts me now when I say, “NO! Yucky.”  So late last night, before falling into bed, I crazily vacuumed the house, trying to get up all the sand we brought home, and realized that playgrounds are going to be in our lives for a long, long time to come. Am I going to be vacuuming every night?!!

In a moment of panic I realized that the days of my Marlowe’s sweet, delicious, baby skin, edible hands and feet and cheeks are GONE. She’s entering the land of toddlerhood, followed by childhood, followed by (throw-up in my mouth a little) teenager. She is going to be a sticky, dirty, snotty mess from now until she’s too old, and then I will be a weird-o if I’m still gobbling her up with kisses.

Oh, the heartbreak!