10 Things To Know Before Transitioning To A Toddler Bed

The decision to move my son out of his crib and into a toddler bed was the source of many heated debates. As usual, I wanted to keep my baby in his crib, and the Aussie wanted his big boy (2ys) to be in a big boy bed frame. 

My husband talked me into letting him set up the toddler bed just so Ollie could get used to seeing it. 

Much to my surprise, the little guy took one look at his 'big boy bed' and declared no more Crib. He wanted to sleep in his big-boy-bed. 

Later that night, he was in my bed. For the first time EVER. 

Y'all.... The day we moved the kid out of his crib was the day we essentially moved him into my bed. To keep you from the same crappy night sleep, below are 10 tips found while researching an article I thought I would share.

1. There is no set rule, date, age, time, magical number.

Pediatric sleep disorders expert, Deborah Lin-Dyken, says there's no set time to make a move. Studies show most children make the switch sometime between ages 1 1/2 and 3 1/2.

2. Climbing Is Not Key. 

Don't rush right out and buy a new bed the day your toddler climbs out of the crib. This IS NOT an indicator that he is ready. Lower the mattress all the way, and discourage climbing.

3. Keep the decor.  

The switch may freak your toddler out. Place the new bed in the EXACT same place the crib used to be. Use the same bedding, crib toys/stuffed animals. Change as little as possible. 

4. NO SURPRISES! 

Don't just spring the new bed on your toddler.  Start talking it up at least a week in advance.  One expert says, "Throw a big party to celebrate the bed's arrival."

5. Wait For Independence To Reign Supreme. 

Independence is an indicator that your child is ready to make the switch.  If your child takes pride in individual accomplishments, including feeding and dressing themselves, then it may be time. Kyle Pruett, M.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center, in New Haven, Connecticut, says a sign of readiness is when your child calls out in the night and can be reassured just be hearing your voice.

6. One Thing At A Time. 

Don't introduce the new bed during potty training or moving to a new house.  Too many changes can freak a familiarity loving toddler out. -Dr. Laura Markham.

7. Transition Before The Third Trimester.

If the transition is due to the arrival of a new baby, experts recommend the transition be made and well adjusted to at least TWO months before the baby arrives.

8. Remember Who Needs To Really Love It. 

Let your toddler be involved every step of the way; including if possible, picking out the bed, and the new sheets, blanket, and pillow if necessary. Make the new bed cozy and inviting.

9. Get the Routine Down. 

If you do not already have one, create a bedtime routine and stick to it leading up to the big night. Familiarity is key to this transition. One expert says to add white noise or music to the bedtime routine, if it is not already part of it, to help your child doze off.

10. Prepare Yourself For A long Bitter Battle. 

This could (most likely will) be very scary for your little one, and may take quite a few nights of both, getting to sleep AND staying in bed through the night, before things settle. Remember, this is ultimately your decision, you have to be comforting and understanding that this is very scary. Talk through your child's feelings and be reassuring that this is a wonderful thing.  'All big boys/girls sleep in a big bed.'

Unless this is your idea of a "toddler bed," 

then you better be sure your toddler is ready...

Parenting Words Of Wisdom: Toddler beds are dumb. Skip it and buy atlas a twin size bed. You'll be happy to have somewhere to sleep your child throws you out of your bed.

Good luck, it's not an easy transition, but with the right timing and attitude on both parties, this could be a good thing.

20 Reasons Toddlers Are Truly BatSh!t Crazy By Nature

As the man-child gets older and adds speaking freely, thinking freely and acting freely to his repertoire of toddler conduct, life has gotten much more interesting. It's become clear that more codes of conduct have been hard-wired into his DNA than previously thought...

Without further ado, I present the latest installment in The Toddler Code Of Conduct--Part II: The Age Of Independence... 20 More Rules Toddlers Live By.

1. When your parent(s) appear to be having a deep conversation with another adult, announce that you have to poop. If you are still in diapers, extra credit awarded for grunting and straining to make it appear like you are trying to pass a brick. 

2. When being served a banana, if it breaks during the peeling process, REFUSE to eat it. Actually, make that the rule for anything that breaks before being served. Yes, even cookies. 

3. When out to eat, stand up in the booth, then turn around and stare at the person eating behind you for so long it becomes creepy.

4. If someone tries to take something from you, make them sorry.  Hold tight while flailing and screaming. If they manage to pry it out of your hands, channel the Incredible Hulk and explode on them.

5. Potty Training... (a.k.a The Great Chocolate Caper) Should NOT be easy for anyone involved. Well, unless chocolate and sweet treats are not your thing. The harder you make it, the longer you will get rewarded for crapping in the potty.

6. MAKE A MESS! That is your mantra. Make the most of every opportunity to wreck the joint. Get creative. Go nuts. Think: Filthy Wild Mess. Make sure it's clear where you have been...Store your toys in the hall, in shoes, in the cat's/dog's bed, in the refrigerator, in the toilet, bathtub, front yard... anywhere but where your parents want them.  

7. When you pass gas, laugh hysterically and then in your loudest voice announce, "HA HA I JUST FARTED." Legend status achieved if four or more people are present.

8. Before you touch anything on your plate, demand the food off everyone else's first. 

9. Shoes, clothes and vegetables are stupid. Avoid them. 

10. DO NOT sleep-in on the weekends. If the sun rises before you, then you have failed. If you do not see the tears in your parent's eyes when waking them up before dawn, then you have failed. 

11. Life is one big game of Tag. Everyone is 'It.' RUN FROM THEM! Use tables to play epic games of, You Can't Catch Me, by crawling under them and running around them. 

12. When no one is looking, try something really naughty. Something like climbing on furniture, jump on the bed, pull a chair over to the counter to grab a knife, chase the cat or dog. Something you are sure you will get yelled at if caught. Live a little. 

13. While out for walks, stop every six inches to poke, pick-up, drop or kick something.  Every dog in the neighborhood should be lapping you on walks.  Even the German Shepherd that stops every foot to mark it's territory.

14. Repeat EVERY word you hear. Every. Single. One. 

15. This is the only time of your life you can say bad words in public and not get in trouble. Remember, they think you are trying to say, truck, duck, chip, bridge, and ship. GO WITH IT! Drop Truck bombs all over the place!  

16. Phones and tablets were put on this earth for you. Seek them out. Always.

17. Act like a perfect little angel while in the care of others. Think, all smiles through Pleases and Thank Yous and well timed trips to the potty. It will keep your parents guessing and slightly annoyed. 

18. The backseat of the car is your domain.  Mark it by creating a sea of goldfish crackers. Feed the goldfish juice and crumbs whenever possible. 

19. Before you play with your toys, play with everything else first. Including but not limited to, everything in the house that is repeatedly referred to as, "not for you."

20. Last, and most important, to keep toddler legend perfect little angel status... at least once a week, WOW your parents with your undeniable wit and charm. One week bust out the ABC's or Itsy Bitsy Spider. Then the next week, count to ten.  In between, announce observations of your surroundings using words they have never heard you say before. Also, give kisses, hugs, cheeky grins and/or say I WUV You, the second you think they are on to you.

For the original Toddler Code of Conduct-Twenty Rules Toddlers Live By... CLICK HERE

What Happens When You Take A Small Child To A Big City

March 2016, The Aussie, the Kid and I traveled to Melbourne, Australia, to spend three glorious weeks visiting family and friends. I planned everything out. I over thought everything. I over-packed like a crazed mother crossing the world with her son for the first time. (I was!) I thought I thought of everything.

Wrong.

I never once thought about the fact that big cities aren't really great fun for little kids.  Sure, the museums, green space and some sights can be great, but the over-stimulation and getting from point A to point B can be tough. Especially, if you don't have a stroller or transportation.

Allow me to use my horror story as an example.

Our first morning in Melbourne, The Aussie and I could hardly wait to hit the city. Riddled with jet lag, the three of us stumbled out of our high-rise apart'hotel The Citadines On Bourke, situated right smack in the middle of the central business district (CBD). Even better, on the best street for shopping in the city! 

The City of Melbourne, Australia is gorgeous. From the architecture to the sights, sounds, trams, food, culture, museums, street art and Pokie pubs, it's the greatest. 

Hand-in-hand the three of us headed down Burke Street towards Southern Cross Station to meet friends for lunch. Mid-way down, The kid starts asking to be held. All 45 pounds of him. 

Dad picks him up and carries him a couple of blocks. Puts him down.

Two minutes later, I'm holding him. 

Five minutes later, switch.

This is pretty much how the entire time in the city went that day. The boy wanted nothing to do with walking in the city. Which is odd, since he always wants to walk. 

Later that night before bed:

Me: Why didn't you want to walk today? You always want to walk.

The Kid: There are too many people and all I can see is their butts!

I had to laugh.

As the conversation progressed, I realized it must be scary for a three foot, four-year-old in a big city. He's in a strange place, there are people everywhere surrounding him, especially on the street corners. It's got to be scary. 

And all he can see are butts!

The next morning, a friend brought us a stroller on his way to work. Even though the kid was a little big for it, he was happy to sit in it. 

INTERJECTION: Just like infants will happily sleep in their carriers before a crib, there is something about a stroller that makes a child feel safe. Even a big scary city surrounded by people he doesn't know with an unfortunate line of sight.

We used the stroller the entire time we were in Melbourne. In the city, suburbs, shopping... The little guy was happy to sit in it and look around. We were happy to push him.

That being said, we still spent a great deal of time holding him during our three-week trip.  The second he got tired, uncomfortable or unsure, into our arms he went.

Before we flew back to the states, we made a pitstop in Sydney, Australia. Without a stroller, we were prepared to hold him while in the city, however, we quickly found out all the hills in the Sydney CBD made it back-breaking hell. 

We were going to have trouble the next four days navigating Sydney by foot with a four-year-old. I was desperate for a stroller and resolved to buy one until I found out strollers are sold at only one store in the CBD, David Jones, and start at $100AU.  

We passed on buying a stroller and opted to make do. (Read: He spent a lot of time attached to daddy.)

Needless to say, we took advantage of public transportation every chance we got.

Ferries... 

and the double-decker city tour bus.

Moral of the story: Little kids can be super-duper overwhelmed by a big city. Creating a comfort zone or safe space is key to a seamless city stroll. 

I know bringing a stroller on a plane can be a pain in the ass, but it flys free and will prove to be priceless.