my one-year-old is a handful

having kids is the most wonderful thing in life, no matter how many hardships you have to face but still you can never let go.

Don't worry, this season will pass for her, she'll soon become more stable on her feet, and won't fall everywhere. In the meantime, try to get yourself a break, and do it consistently. You can't be supermom, not everyone can be with their kids every day, all day long, it is a major responsiblity, and can be very draining. If you have a friend that has a child of similiar age, see if you all can't take turns watching each other's children, YOu take her kid for her one day, she takes yours the next. (however you want to set it up) it's important to havesome "me" time away from your children. I don't know if the father is in the picture or not, but that's what my hubby and I do, he goes out one week for a couple of hours, by himself, the next week it's my turn.. It's great. When I come home I'm refreshed and missing my children. I know your daughter may throw a fit when you leave, that's normal, she's trying to get you to change your mind, but leave her with someone you trust, tell her goodbye, and leave. (if you try to sneak out, it usually backfires on you, then she thinks that you'll leave without saying goodbye to her, and she'll be a permanent cling-on) IT's great if the sitter you leave her with can handle her crying fits, come back if she's still crying after about a half-an hour and try again in a week, eventually she'll understand that when mommy leaves, she'll come back. Also, leave the sitter with treats, we had my sister bribe my son with a cookie even though it was only 6:00 a.m., when we had to go to the hospital to have the baby, we left pleanty of treats that he doesn't get with us, and he was fine, and used to throw fits when we left and cry inconsolably. I hope some of these things helped, and don't feel guilty, every mother gets overwhelmed from time to time, get yourself a much needed break and you'll find a new perspective.

I have to agree with you there - i have an almost 10 month old daughter who is exactly the same - she's in to everything, falls over, hits her head on things & sometimes she just drives me insane! I'm not quite sure why you let your daughter sleep alone on a normal bed, i make sure my daughter takes her naps on her little sofa bed - it's on the floor in the lounge & she knows it's there for her to nap on! She will learn eventually that she cant be with you 24/7 - eventually you'll need some time to yourself & you deserve it - perhaps try play groups or see if your Mum will mind her so you can have some YOU time - she may cry coz you're not around but it wont last, eventually there will be something that catches her eye & she'll be fine! Good luck :)

Have you thoght about getting what we used to call a 'Play Pen'? It kind of looks like a cage. :-) It's a few feet square and is a little cage that you can slot together and put on the floor in your living room or lounge. Then when you need to do soemthing, just pop the baby inside it and she's perfectly safe. She doesn't stay in there all the time - just when you can't watch over her. Of course, you shouldn't leave her in there all on her own for more than a short while, but it does allow you to get on with things around the place without you having to worry about your baby getting in to trouble.