[MakeLoveNotBacon]

oh, and btw, Madame Catty, how do you expect him to be safe whilst I'm in the shower? There are some times I just can't watch him for every single second.

Skip a shower or take him in with you? There's not much a 2 yr old can get up to in the shower while you are there. He's getting to the age where he'll be able to climb out of the cot anyway.

Early morning wake-ups suck, but 8.30-5.30 is a pretty good run. Both of my kids are early risers, it's just something you have to deal with. If you slept all that time and are still tired, perhaps get a check-up with your doctor, check iron levels etc.

[kpingitquiet]

Tip on the shower, I do mine after she's in bed. Husband prefers morning showers and takes his when he gets up at 5:15am-ish. Sometimes I'll catch a shower during her naptime if I feel a need.

I'm glad he was happy chilling in bed with you.

[Jupiter]

When I was on my own with a toddler, I got a TV in my room just for times like this. He would jump in with me, the TV would go on, he'd watch ABC Kids and I'd get to doze for an extra hour, if I was lucky.

Advising "go to bed earlier" is all well and good but there's a lot of stuff you can only do when they're asleep. You find yourself mopping the floor at 11pm. Not ideal but that's how it is.

[Exhaustedbuthapp...]

When I was on my own with a toddler, I got a TV in my room just for times like this. He would jump in with me, the TV would go on, he'd watch ABC Kids and I'd get to doze for an extra hour, if I was lucky.

Advising "go to bed earlier" is all well and good but there's a lot of stuff you can only do when they're asleep. You find yourself mopping the floor at 11pm. Not ideal but that's how it is.

Thanks for your support, Jupiter.
I totally agree with your second paragraph.

[lozoodle]

Re shower i just let her play in the living room while i shower and leave the door open. Make a room kid safe and put a gate on it, it will be a big help. I wouldnt use a cot as a place to restrain them because they will start associating their bed with that rather than it being a happy place for sleep. He will be climbing out soon anyway

As for 5.30, i hear you, my two are the same. Accepting it rather than fighting it made the difference for me.

[Pup-pup]

I have a 2.5yr old and 1yr old, and whilst they are generally good sleepers - I do have my days when I want to sleep/have a rest/do things like have a shower.
I have a tv in my bedroom. It doesn't go on until 6am. But if my DD comes in (she's in a bed) after my DH has gone to work (5-6am), I make her lie quietly. If she doesn't lie quietly i make her go back to her own bed. At 6am I put the tv on, and sometimes I'll even fall back asleep (and if my younger DD has been awake during the night, she often sleeps in anyway).
As for showers, I take both my DD's in with me. We have toys in there and sure it's a little squishy, but they both like it. I can wash my hair etc and not be rushed. They have a bath in the evening, so it's more about me than them.
I don't know about the screaming, I'd say it's probably just defiance- he doesn't want to be in bed anymore. My DD1 would do the same thing if I left her for a shower etc.

[MaeGlyn]

I was once told a helpful phase. If they are hungry or bored watch out!.

He is bored, and at this age he will develop with his mind 80% with the rest of is life 20%,

You could think about getting him to bed a bit later if it will help him get up a bit later at 7.00? That is what we did as I have sleep problems and can't sleep until 11.30pm.

I learned to get my 2 1/2 year old out of bed straight away in the morning, as then he learns I am there for him and responding to his needs straight away. It makes for a more confident child... And it is worth it if they are confident. They then try things out of your orbit. Or they become clingy. Leaving a child in their cot is akin to taking away their experiences of life. If your house isn't safe, make it safe.

[libbylu]

I would have about 30 seconds between DS waking up and him screaming for me to come and get him. I could never leave him in his cot/basinette. He needed me as soon as he was awake - everything else had to come second. Obviously if I was on the loo or in the shower I would just have to call out that I would be there in a minute, but it was a very loud minute!
I don't think you can expect a sleep in until they are 4 or 5 and will sit in front of the TV for an hour on the weekend. And then only if you have the kind of kid that won't wreck your house while your sleeping!

[Jenflea]

I shower and my 2yr old plays in the bathroom. Plays with toys or stands at the basin paddling in water.
I also bring her into bed with us(or me if my husband's gone to work early)when she wakes in the morning and quite often she will lie quietly for another 30 mins or so.
Keeping a child in a cot isn't fair on them. You need to babyproof your house if not already done so, shower with the door open if you need to.
You could try a Gro Clock to teach him getting up time, but it can take a week or so to work I think.
But honestly, if your child is screaming and a nappy change isn't enough, then get him up and give him comfort or whatever he needs.
I second the PP who suggest a check up for iron levels etc.

[ILFC]

It's a weird post. Your child is little. Sleep is a bonus not a given, let alone a sleep in. Just accept you will be tired and get on with the day. I have a crap sleeper, so I know what it's like.