[blparent] In Over My Head,, toddlers

[Jessica Reed]

Fellow blind parents,

 

I really don't post very often, so I probably should introduce myself a
little.  I am a 31-year-old stay-at-home mother of a 14-month-old toddler,
Lila.  My husband is sighted, but works a significant amount of time.  We
live in a bedroom community in between our nation's capital and Richmond,
Virginia.  

 

If I am honest, I feel like I am drowning in this new stage of toddlerhood.
First, any suggestions on brushing a toddler's teeth?  I tried for the first
time last night, and it was a complete stressful disaster!  My usually
congenial child was screaming and wrestling to get out of my grasp.  Tonight
I used a regular toothbrush, not the figure kind, and a different baby tooth
paste.  It went a lot better.  There were no tears or wrestling match,
though I really doubt her teeth got clean at all.  Any specific feedback and
suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  

 

Second, how do you do it?  She is not quite walking, but practically, and
already all over the place.  In the last two weeks she has all of the sudden
become so winey, but only with me.  I have heard this is normal, since I am
her mother, but so often she is just driving me crazy!  Please don't
criticize me for that statement, I beg you.  I love my daughter more than
life itself, and to admit that makes me feel like a horrible human being.
We have recently moved into a bigger home.  Lila has a child safe play room
full of toys.  We also get out at least once a day.  I take her to play
groups, the library story time, the playground, and any where I can think
of. I have hired babysitters that come to give me a break.  Again, I feel so
horrible for feeling so frustrated and depressed as I do.

 

Lastly, how do you best interact with children at the walking, but preverbal
stage?  There are times where I think she is trying to communicate and I
feel like I am missing out on so much.  I can't interact with her the way
sighted folks seem to.  

 

Thank you for reading.  I really hope any of your suggestions and past or
present stories will help me threw.  Again, I love Lila more than life
itself, but just feel. Have any of you ever felt this way?  I want the very
best for my daughter and can't help but feel like I am failing daily.

 

Jessica