Head banging is a typical sign of self-soothing for some kids so that’s great you provided him a safe space (I.e. the pillows as a cushion). We also live in a tiny house and have always adjusted the way you mentioned. You guys are doing wonderful and Zion is so cute :)
He’s getting so big and your hair is getting so long. Thanks you for your honesty. You are an amazing mom and I didn’t think you were complaining. It’s a blessing being so close to your folks and yet have your own place, but you won’t live there forever, God has the perfect plans for you and your sweet family.
You could put a daybed downstairs that turns into a comfortable bed so that you and your husband can sleep downstairs with him when he is in a toddler bed. And then covert it back to a couch during the day. Just an idea! He is such a little cutie!
Zion is adorable and so fortunate to have such great parents. You are doing your best with a small house. It is certainly in a beautiful, clean, and healthy area. Being near your parents is such a blessing, too. Best wishes.❤
I truly do not mean this hatefully, but if he's headbanging regularly and not just occasionally for a few minutes (it's considered developmentally normal if it's not interfering with sleep or causing physical harm), he plays by himself most of the time, and he isn't communicating in two/three word sentences like "where is mommy?", I would strongly suggest having him evaluated for autism. There are great early interventions that can make a really massive difference in a child's life and how they function later. Thank you for sharing your life so openly, and I wish you and your family the best.
My twin sister and I hit our heads on our cribs and pillows until we were in third grade. It was a comfort mechanism and also a way we needed to get out remaining energy, and thankfully we never had any injuries. I hope he finds another way to get comfy before he sleeps. ♥️ You’re doing great and you’re so intentional… keep it up momma!
My son also exhibited the head-banging behavior at that age. Nothing wrong with snuggling with your little guy on the couch for a little while if that’s what you needed to do! ❤
I live in a tiny house (THOW) and just had a baby 4 weeks ago. I appreciate these videos where you talk about having a child in a small space. I also feel you on the ladder/stair situation and safety, the lack of dining room table, desire for a closet …all of it. So you’re not alone. I am also grateful to have a safe place, warm bed, roof over our head too but I look forward to moving into a “normal” house. May we be blessed to get there one day.❤ As for sleep, don’t feel ashamed at all, sleep is #1 no matter how you get it, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s safe. I highly recommend reading “sweet sleep”. It does talk about bed sharing but it has lots of info on the science and biology of it and how to do it safely because a lot of people don’t intend on doing it, but end up doing it out of desperation so might has well be informed how to do it safely. We’ve been bed-sharing since our son came home from the hospital. Yes it’s controversial but it feels so natural and we’ve been having great sleeps. (And the book also explains why it won’t cause a bad habit and how yes, your kid will be independent sleepers before school age lol) anyways, just sharing what’s worked for us…I know it’s not for everyone.
I would switch my living room and bedroom. Put the office upstairs and make a loft bed on stilts for down stairs. Make it high enough that your couch can go underneath and you can stand up without hitting your head. Make a the bed on stilts with a ladder that can be pulled up so he can’t climb and get to you. Keep his crib where it is. Now that the office is upstairs you have a place that the baby can’t get to . Husbands computer and music stuff is safe. Keep your closet where it is. Now you have your kitchen back to put the kitchen table . Just a thought. Hope everything works out for you.
You are doing absolutely brilliantly in your lovely little home. Trust me, in 5 yrs, 10 yrs, 20 yrs, having a closet or dining table etc will not matter at all whether you had these items or not. They are not important in the scheme of things. The only things that matter are God (of course, and prayers promised) and the nurturing and creation of wonderful memories with your son. My little boy is 21 now, and it was only yesterday I was celebrating his 2nd birthday - or at least that's how it feels to us!! God bless you from Australia.
That toddler transition sleep is rooouuugh. I remember and feel for you. My daughter struggled during this age too and then settled back into her new routine. She’s 8 now and we just moved and now she’s struggling again… I’m just rolling with the phases as they come. You’re doing great!
So proud of you! Zion is a happy, healthy little guy, and y’all have your priorities straight. My bro and his wife and baby moved in with her parents for two years and are now homeowners, and my parents and I decided to move in together, split living costs so we can each build tiny homes. Times are tough, and that means getting creative (and trying to remember our sense of humor lol!). Hang in there, you’ve got this! May G-d bless you and guide your every step. Shalom 💖🙏🕊
I just know that God is preparing a WONDERFUL place that suits your Family’s needs, and you didn’t come off like u were complaining at all, i love your fruitful spirit 🙏🤍
You could put those gate links( they come with 8 panels) around the loft steps, and then a baby gate in the hallway to keep him confined to the living room once he’s figured out the escaping crib thing.
We are also in a very similar situation, living in a tiny home in my parents backyard in california. Its a blessing, but it has not been an easy journey by any means. Im praying for you all ❤❤ We completely understand how bittersweet it all really is. Sending all the prayers to you!
Can you add on a bedroom to this one? There is a family who have 10 kids living in a 575 SF home who recently added a downstairs bedroom. They are the sweetest family
Sending prayers your way. You don't need to explain how your family parents. We all do what we need as long as it's safe. It's just this season of the toddler. I had a wild one😂. Make sure to try to get some time for yourself.
Your place is so wonderful!! What a great space for a kid!!! You have such a beautiful boy. Do be in the lookout for autism with the head banging. It is a form of self soothing and calming - but be on look out and watch for other signs. My daughter has autism. Is a music performance major now in college at a top music school and doing amazing - has friends- figured out the social aspects of it all- she used to bang her head at night and it was what opened our eyes that she may be on the spectrum. All pretty common stuff
Hey I love your videos. Your channel is really a breath of fresh air. I'd just like to say, be careful of what you say on your channel because anyone can see your videos. I wish you all safety and prosperity.
As an idea you could rent your tiny home and use that money for your new house, easier said than done but it is a possibility if your parents allow! Best of luck beautiful fam!
I so feel you! I am working on getting my 8-week old in a better system for sleep. She’s currently sleeping with us and we’re making small steps to get her to sleep independently. Thank you for opening up about your journey. It’s a huge encouragement! 💛
Andi 8 weeks is really too young. They still need to nurse every 3 hours around the clock. If going longer stretches during day would wake her every 3 hours to feed
Co-sleeping is just the best! They soon grow out of it and you wish you had those times back again. My (now 21 yr old) son co-slept from age 2.5 until 12 - he was a dreadful sleeper and started off life with colic/reflux. He went into his own bed at the right time - now he laughs about it - but it was what gave us all peace at the time.
I live in a 2 bed but baby room is small so I got her a travel cot and a proper mattress so it can be folded and we can use it for travel, though not the best looking. Once I flipped her over and I was so glad its a travel cot not a wooden cot so she bounced rather than bang against the wood. By the time she is 1.5 I am sure she can sleep with us or on the floor so transition bed is not needed plus it is expensive.
The head banging behavior Zion is displaying is a self-soothing mechanism someone else mentioned. The reason he is doing this is to ask for your attention. Sleeping downstairs with him, not in bed with him, but where he can see you will remedy this over time. Depending on the generation we were taught that if you hold your baby too much or if you sleep with your baby then you’re spoiling them. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. People and babies alike have different needs. Some babies need that extra comfort while others do not. You will learn to read the cues as Zion continues to age. Give him what he needs and he will be just fine.❤
We lived in a studio until our daughter was 1&1/2 years old and then God brought us our first place. Fast forward 2 years later, we now live in a 3 bedroom apartment with our own washer and dryer and 2 daughters to love. God will bring your new place in His perfect timing. Keep the faith because He is faithful. I'm excited to see where God takes you and your family! Be excited in the waiting. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts then your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9 "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 💗
I think with propery values and the housing crisis you should be very thankful to have a house, even if it's small. Some people with jobs live in places like a single motel room with a whole family. I think small homes are going to become the norm.
My son slept with me until around 4, and even now he's falling asleep cuddled to me. Head banging is a dangerous thing for little brain and can be sing of inflammation in the brain, hopefully it's not the case here. If he's developing well, especially his speech and social skills it should be all good.
I am so blessed by watching you. I knew you were Christian. For the extra room upstairs and down-add another ten feet to the front or the back and make it an A-frame for 'walking space' upstairs. Don't pressure yourselves; enjoy and enjoy this time living next door to mom and dad. You will treasure these years as will your child. Many cultures throughout the world have the married children living with mom, dad, and grandparents in the same house. It is very common and usually creates a tight and loving family relationship. The children save up for a big down payment or buy their own house outright after decades of saving. All of God's blessings to you, your husband, and your precious son. God bless your parents and your family. And God bless your bank account and all your future income. In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen and Amen!
