Printable View
I'm taking my nephews to the zoo in a couple of weeks, 2 yrs and almost 1 yr. I've started another thread about food, so that's sorted, but what would you recommend for going to the zoo?
The 1 yr old is the happiest baby on the planet, he'd be happy to be put in a room facing a smiley sticker :rofl: It's the 2 yr old I'm anxious about, he tends to have meltdowns when people don't understand him, and I never understand him. Is there something I can do to help him enjoy the zoo?
Hun, your nephews are blessed to have such a fabulous aunt :D. Just be yourself and you'll all have a blast!! What more would they need?
Practically - as for the 2 yr old I'd find out his favourite toy, hobby, past time and use it to your advantage in case of melt down ;).
I usually take a little animal book with us to places like that. Then we look at the pictures with Moo, showing him what animal we looking for etc. Then when he starts getting ansty we pull it out & find the animals we've seen already.
Take 2 prams/strollers so they can rest... maybe even sleep! At that age I wouldn't spend too long at each animal, or else just plan a certain number of animals to see... don't plan on seeing the whole lot (depends how big the zoo is tho I guess).
I'm sure you'll be fine tho.. just take it as it comes.. it'll be fun!
dont be anxious...they can smell fear :rofl: just kidding
its the zoo you'll all have a ball
your a great Aunty by the way I bet your nephews think your awesome even if you do put them in rooms with smiley stickers ;)
Have everything with you to distract them from melt downs, hats, glasses fav toy. Two strollers is a must and rest a lot! Sit and watch the animals and don't expect to see all of the zoo, then they will have a melt down with all the rushing.
I was going to suggest the same as Leesa, a favourite toy or something to take with you.
Good luck!
DD always likes looking at the zoo map they give you on entry and picking the animals we are going to see next. She has been doing that since she was 2 wo that might be something to try with your nephew - putting him 'in charge' of what you are going to see so to speak.
Once I get him away from his mum he'll be fine :) He picks up on her anxiety - last time we took them out, he was hysterical as soon as we got there because he knew we were taking them out. He screamed blue murder through us getting everything ready, installing the car seats, putting the boys in them, saying goodbye to parents, and driving down the driveway. The second we turned the corner, he stopped, like someone flicked a switch, and was fine the entire time we were gone. :o Theoretically I know they'll love the zoo, but I'm terrified of him melting down in public, LOL. I guess if he does there's not a lot I can do about it, I'm sure anyone around would understand :):
Oh what a great idea, he has an animal book too!:
They've got a double pram, toddler in front and baby in back, should work awesomely. And this time I'll even take it, instead of stubbornly declaring 'I'd love to hold the baby for 4 hours while chasing the toddler around Scitech', ROFL!:
:rofl::
When a 2 years old has a tantrum because they are not being understood, I find the best way to deal is to get down to eye level with them and let them know that you hear they are trying to tell you something, but you can't understand so can they show you. This worked when my twins were 2 anyway as the tantrum is often as a result of feeling ignored when misunderstood. When they knew I really cared what they were trying to say they would try to find other ways of showing me and would calm down. HTH.
Haha you want the pram to hold all your stuff too! That's the best bit about prams.. Nothing to carry :)
I posted some suggestions in your other thread hon :)
:o Mad woman!! Sounds like you learnt your lesson though :rofl::
sunscreen!
Imagination...........:)
bribery! ><;;
if you've never been to that zoo before (or not for yonks) - find out as soon as you get there, where the loos are.
Plan little forays around the vicinity of where the good stuff is (shade, loos, cafe) so you're never too far from what they need (nappy change, water, shade).
Can you do the car seat changeover without the kids seeing? e.g one adult stay with them inside, others go outside to change over seats? maybe that would give the 2yo less time to get worked up.
kids music in the car?
i think you're pretty brave to take two young kids out like this, what lucky kids they are to have you around.
if it was me, i would get confident, with getting the pram in and out the car boot, and in a using position, - out of view of the 2yo. like having a practise run BEFORE the zoo excursion. You might have done this already anyhoo. but i've noticed, if you are unsure about something, toddlers pick up on this real quick. (which doesn't do MY confidence any good). sometimes things you could work out ordinarily, in a potentially stressful situation (like two little ones having a melt down WHILST you are working out a piece of baby eqipment not familiar to you) - suddenly, it IS hard to do.
i hope they are so tuckered out, they sleep on teh way home for you.
hats and sunscreen