I've earned a child overnight :|

So 2 months ago my best friend passed leaving almost for year old Layla-Jai and her daddy John. John is a lawyer and works longggggg hours so Layla stays with Johns parents who are elderly and sturggle to keep up with little miss hyper. So as the godparents me and DF Beau decided we had to help so we are having Little LJ at our house for 6 weeks so John can have some time off and some help. We live 5 minutes away so it isnt that hard but im clueless with toddlers. Shes already broken a clock and a picture frame, i mean i see her most days but ive never lived with a todler its overwhelming and its been 12 hours!! ahhhh me and DF will find a way i spose i just dont know if i can take her saying " wheres mummy?" one more time its breaking my heart. :(

HOw about joining a playgroup? She would probably really like it and it will wear her out a little ;)

It's best now if you just gather up anything valuable/precious and stick it in the top of your wardrobe. Close your bedroom door at all times or she will get into your makeup (even if you don't have any :ROFL:).

Have fun, we are here if you need us !

EAT - whats the party line on her mum? What does John tell her? Do you have a photo she can have in her room? Poor little mite xoxoxo

You are a champ - must be completely heartbreaking for you but what a wonderful thing to do for your goddaughter and friend.

Where are you in Melb?
Some local libraries have story/music time for the kids during the week. Any local playcentres around?
Has she any buddies that you could meet for a play?
Our DD loves blowing bubbles, having cuppas, running around the washing line (yep a good one that) and baking....

Good luck - let us know how you go!

I agree with Lulu, everything you DON"T want broken, put it away .. high .. behind locks ... keys stored high ... behind locks (get where I'm going)
Then todler proof at least one closet in your kitchen, meaning put EVERYTHING plastic in there and loads of empty boxes, egg trays, empty plastic cooldrink bottles, plastic spoons. Even some old pots and pans. That way she has a place where she can play while you are in the kitchen.

If the daddy tells her "mommy is in heaven" you just stick with it. I hear you when you say it's breaking your heart, mine would too. Just repeat it over and over if she asks you and tell her that although you are not her mommy, you are there if she needs cuddles or kisses or someone to talk about her mommy. Don't not talk about her mother.

:hug: Goodluck hun. I'm sure you'll do fine. Todlers are sooooo much fun, most times ;)

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having cuppas,

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YES!! My dd also loves having tea parties and pouring tea to everyone what will have some.

Also colouring, painting, bake some biscuts together, sing songs, play ball, can you get some sand in the garden and play there, read stories, watch movies, clean the house (yes they like that, they make very helpfull child-labourers :p ) Go for walks in the park, run around chasing each other ... any thing outdoor will wear her out. Fresh air is the best for getting kids tired

I'm with the others, anything that is irreplaceable, move out of the way. Do you have friends with kids? Playdates are good for tiring kids out and giving you a bit of sanity seeing other adults. :)

Oh my gosh you ladies are a god send :D
ive started looking into a playgroup and she has a little girl nadine down the road who she will have a wednesday arvo playdate with :D
Because im not equiped with toddlers toys, shows, movies,games etc
we played it old school
we made sockpuppets and baked some babycakes which she seemed to enjoy probably a bit old for her or boring but i tried my best. She told me tonight the list of things she doesnt eat.
its long.... She doesnt like potatoes apperntly so much for roast and mash idea. I opted for chicken pasta but like i dont know if thats ok gah im cluelesss.

What a wonderful thing for you to do!!:clap:

Get some colouring books and crayons...little girls love to colour. Can you get some of her fave toys/DVD's from her house to keep at yours for a while?

Just a tip, it's going to drive you NUTS if she tells you what she don't eat ... rather ask her what she likes to eat and go from there. Chicken Pasta sounds great. I have yet to meet a todler that don't like noodles ... buy a interesting shape ... macaroni can be SOOO boring ;) Also don't try and cater just for her. You can maybe tell her in the moring that it's shepard's pie (try sweetpotato instead of mash on top) for dinner. If it boils down to dinner and she does not like shepard's pie, offer a sandwich with ham, cheese and lettuce/tomato with a glass of milk. But that's it. Next night try fishfingers and chips. Don't bend backwards, she has to fit in with your lifestyle. Accomidate her, but don't give her everything she asks for.

It's really a wonderfull thing that you are doing and I'm sure the daddy is very gratefull. And yes, do get some of her own toys to play with at your house ASAP

Toy wise - can you bring anything over from her house if she is going to be there for 6wks. Maybe see if there is a toy library in your area that you can borrow from - often they are attached to local libraries. Outside adventures are always fun too, looking through the garden looking for fairies or tigers.

I agree on the dinner front she does need to work in with you although toddlers can be fussy :-) Bland food is usually the go, things they can eat in bite sized pieces. If you are struggling with vegies I sometimes substitue fruit/cheese if it's becoming a real battle.

Good luck!

I had to chuckle as my DD1 says 'I don't like it' to EVERYTHING!!!
Other things we've done lately - are collect leaves/twigs etc to paste with, $2 shops have heaps of glitter/paper and stickers which are also a big hit here, playdo is another good messy one, making cubby houses with doonas/sheets and even 'helping' with stuff around the house like washing up/folding clothes...not so much help but fun.
The old school stuff is much more entertaining and exhausting as they have lots to think about. ABC has great kids shows in the am - and on ABC2 later in the morning. Playschool is still fantastic - and often has lots of ideas too. No fail foods we have on high rotation are rissotto, meatballs, spag bol, chicken pasta, sausage/chops and veg, homemade pita bread pizza, eggs (scrambled/omlette/boiled with toast soldiers), baked beans are great too and lots of tasting plates - so versions of whatever we are having but not so much seasoning/sauce etc. Vegemite toast is always a winner too....:D

I just wanted to say that I think you are an angel taking on someone else's young child for a few weeks. I don't have any advice about having a toddler that age as I've just entered the joys of toddlerhood with my 14.5 month old but I wish you the best of luck!

With regard to her asking where mummy is, perhaps you could ask her dad how he answers that question and use the same answer. Maybe something like "mummy is in heaven with all the beautiful angels"

Thankyou x 100000000000000000000
she was so excited about being with Aunty Lo (myself)
she couldnt get to sleep so i tired her out with a game of uno and finally went to sleep half an hour past her usual bedtime not bad for the first night in a house she isnt entirley familiar with and as for toys DF has whipped over to Johns to pick some up toys.
We had a few tears because she didnt have her photo of mummy and her my little pony (awkward) but other than that not a bad first day.
Im exhausted shes so full on but keeping me fit with the running. I just hope i can get through tomorrow without to much morning sickness so we can have some fun ahaha

Just wanted to say, awesome good on you!! Her father will be so thankful for your help. Also if the weather is good, a trip to the park is always good fun & a chance to get out & mingle with other kids.

Wow, what your are doing is truely amazing.
You have some great advice - i just wanted to wish you the best of luck xx

I'm just looking after a little family in need :)
i fell in love with her today, she is the most amazing human being ever. We went to the park and fed the ducks. I took the puppie and she is amazingly gentle, here i was thinking toddlers are screaming rough hyperactive tiny people but shes a gentle soal, she cuddled the dog witht the softest touch i was blown away! I took her to the bookshop and we brought a few stories to read together. She offered to help me make lunch and while i cut the tomatoe she was (supposed to) put the tomatoe in the bowl instead she ate allll the tomatoe so i had to start lunch again ahahahaha shes a doll.
Thanks for the well wishes
and im a toddler convert they are the most amazing individuals.
xox

oh and i asked john about what he tells LJ when she asks about mummy. All John has said is shes gone away. I wasn't to keen on this and i told him i can help him explain to her and he agreed. So we are starting to work together on an action plan.
so thats good news

Kudos to you for helping out in such a selfish way! I am sure her dad really appreciates it.

I don't have much in way of helpful advice - I used to look after a toddler when I was in Year 12 once a week but that was 10+ years ago, I suspect I have forgotten the thousands of ways I kept him entertained

Just wanted to tell you I think you are doing an amazing thing

Awwwwww , you are a DOLL!!!!

I'm so glad you smashed the sterio-type todler idea, todlers are really loads of fun (tantys included and my little ponies included ;) )

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All John has said is shes gone away.

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Poor guy, this must be so hard for him to explain that to her. I'm sure you'll do a super job in explaining and helping her throught this. I do think that the actual "mommy is in heaven" should come from him. He needs to tell her that himself and be there for her for at least that. I know it must be SOOO hard for him, but this is something I feel he should do .... for his daughter's sake

Keep up the super-duper job :clap: Your getting great practice :p

wow i must say your fab, for doing so much as well as handling youir own pregnancy.

your a fantastic woman and your doing a great job.
fun is the key to a happy toddler i think, and making boering things like cleaning fun helps aswell.
i get DD to help me clean she loves wiping the cupboard doors and tables she thinsg she is a big girl lol really cute and if she spills something she will clean it up.

helping in teh kitchen is great it gets them involved in the food and they tend to eat anything if they made it

Hmmmm,
Does she have any books that have beautiful angels in them?
You could try and explain that mummy is an angel now, etc.....

rainbow raver that is the best idea ever!
AHHHHH :hug:
why didnt i think of that?
im gonna start looking now

Thats ok, i just thought thats how i would probably explain it....
you could even get some glitter or something and then put a tiny bit in her hand, then if she wants to say good night to her mum, or even just talk to her you can tell her that when she blows the glitter off her hand it will take the message straight to mummy.......
or is that too much for her to understand do you think?

well because shes 3 and 8 months shes that little bit older where i think i could explain the way you said. She is quite smart and i think that would be a good way for her to conect. Her dad brought her a locket today that has a picture of him and her mother which i thought was nice of course she hasnt stoped opening and closing it. Oh and im happy to report we only had a bit of paint of the carpet and other than that accident free day! im getting better :D

My GF had her little girl wave to the stars at night and say goodbye to her little brother.....but that might be for later down the track. She does need to have something to cling to regarding her mum, I'm gald you spoke to her dad about it xoxoxo

EAT - I've just seen how old she is - she really does need to be told something, somehow. GL, you are doing a great job

there are some really good kids books that talk about grief and when someone dies. i will try get some titles for you.

Keep up the good work, such a lovely thing to do, i am so glad you spoke to her dad re what he has said but I do think mummy has gone away needs to be explained more to her. The glitter and stars are a lovely idea.

I just needed to say youre doing such an amazing thing!! Good on you! :clap:

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oh and i asked john about what he tells LJ when she asks about mummy. All John has said is shes gone away. I wasn't to keen on this and i told him i can help him explain to her and he agreed. So we are starting to work together on an action plan.
so thats good news

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I think it's good that you are working on it together. I've read some of the suggestions and think they are great. I hope she can start to understand what's happened.

hows everything going??

Amazingly I feel like ive done it for ages ;)
Shes really easy to please and a delight to be with.
John finaly explained thing to LJ and i find her drawing little angels all the time its really very sweet