Best nursery step tools according to redditors

Honestly, just buy the real thing. I love ikea and I love idea hacks. But if you want something super solid that won't tip and can handle two large kids (and sometimes 3), the original learning tower can't be beat.


Little Partners' Kids Learning Tower - Child Kitchen Helper Adjustable Height Step Stool, Wooden Frame, Counter Step-Up Active Standing Tower (Soft White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F14266/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Wd1TDb1D8RJSM

Some of them just take a little longer to figure it out, Mama. With my middle two, the older one wouldn't until the younger one did, and the younger one was terrified because of when the bathroom ceiling collapsed right after she came out of the bathroom when we started training. The thing that made it harder was how much i hated diapers. The thing that made it easier was being able to explain all the things they would be able to do if they used the bathroom, like going to big school, and playing at other people's houses, and getting a little pool for the yard, because when she was 4, she wanted those things, and at some point that wanting outweighed her fear.

I don't know what tools or methods you're using, but if you haven't tried them, this or something like it worked well, as did this which also has variations. I ended up getting the seat with ladder attached again for my youngest, as well.

You'll both be ok, he just has to talk himself into it. Can you get him something small that he's really interested in, and put it where he can see it but not reach it, and tell him that every time he goes on the toilet, he gets to play with it for a little while? Set a timer. We tried so many things. There will be something that works.

Hugs to you and your little guy :) Hang in there

I'm thinking about getting one of these for Ramsey. I have 4 caterings on the books this summer, him being able to watch will help keep my sanity. Plus I have every intention of teaching him to cook at every age appropriate level. It's funny, baking gets me so frustrated but I'll happily spend all day on a prime rib. 😂

Consider a little plastic stepstool like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/PRIMO-Freedom-Step-Stool-White/dp/B000P26I0E/

It is small and light enough to carry around and stow, and will dry quickly after a good shake. You'll be seated low to the ground, but it's better than nothing, and certainly better than the floor!

Also reach out to your adviser to get you in touch with the department in your school that handles ADA stuff. There may be specialized facilities, or ways that they can relax certain rules, to make it so that you don't have to drop school just yet. Heck, what would they do if a kid was confined to a wheelchair? They would need to have options. There's no reason that you can't be given the same options if your condition requires them.

Not OP, but have friends that have those- they are called 'little helpers' and [yes, they are made specifically for that]
(https://www.amazon.com/Little-Partners-Learning-Adjustable-Toddlers/dp/B001ECHXVC)

I'm also not a fan of large/tall crown moulding, except in large rooms. I feel like it makes the kitchen look smaller than it is here. I feel the same way about the large island- maybe it's just the pics, but it looks like a person can just fit around the one side of it. But! Not my house, so who cares what I think! ;)

In my house we don't have a TV, so it has never really been an option. My children are now 5 and 2. We did allow both kids to play with an iPhone/iPad for about 30 minutes a day from about 18-20 months, but no screens at all before then. Furthermore, that screen time is only allowed for a few minutes in the morning, and a little longer before the get to bed. Between breakfast and dinner it's almost never allowed.

At the age you're talking about, really 90% of the time the answer is we wore our children. I'm not saying attachment parenting is for everyone, but both my children were worn from a very young age. They both loved it, and my wife and I still regularly wear our 2 year old nearly everyday. For young children that are used to being worn, they generally love just watching whatever the parent is doing. If you imagine being a infant able to roam around the house at adult level, watching all the things you're doing (cooking, cleaning, whatever), it's really as engaging as TV.

When they get older, they might not want to be worn for the whole day, but usually long enough to get tasks done. My older daughter didn't like playing by herself till she was about 3, so I certainly understand the challenges. That said, if TV is not an option, you just learn ways to cope. For instance, we have a learning tower in the kitchen. My 2 year old will spend an hour and half happily watching me prepare dinner from her high perch. Part of that time is snacking, part of the time is watching me, and sometimes she just colors. The point is, without the TV option, both parent and child learn ways to cope.

I believe most of the time when parents say they "can't" function without the TV playing part time babysitter, it's more of a lack of imagination on the parent's part than any any real justification. That said, I don't think children watch will be ruined for life. It's more that without a TV, it opens up many more possibilities for both parent and child, albeit requiring a little more effort.

I bought two Learning Towers for $7 each over the weekend. The finish is in rough shape (faded, mostly) but the structure is perfectly solid on both of them.

I have tried Craigslist and local selling groups for $50 each. I had one person who wanted one but when she realized that they don't fold down, she backed out because she's moving and didn't have the room for them. She said she'd contact me after she moved to see if I still had one. Aside from her, no takers, just a few people asking what they were.

I thought they would be an easy flip since they sell for $200 new and they're fairly popular on mommy blogs and Pinterest.

I have been following a Montessori group on Facebook. The learning tower comes to mind. Your kiddo can watch and/or help out with small tasks like cutting soft fruits and vegetables, stirring, etc.
Here is an example: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Partners-Learning-Adjustable-Toddlers/dp/B001ECHXVC

There is an IKEA hack that can be found on the Internet, since it's pretty pricy. Also, check Craigslist.

I am not sure if 10 months is too young for it. They also make guards, or you can make your own, to put around it so your LO doesn't fall through the gaps.

I have a month to go before my LO is born so I don't have any experience on these things. Currently, gathering info and ideas.

I am intrigued by the learning tower, is this what you're talking about?

You totally didn't mess her up, she's fine. But, if you want to play with her more then find some parent led activities you guys can do. Some examples are reading books to her and talking about whats in the book (like asking her to point out things or name things), dancing together or doing a mommy and me workout, or get a learning tower and let her climb up to the counter and see what you're doing and "help".

She'll be handing you books to read and constantly pulling at your leg in no time :P

Everything at my local Goodwill is priced the same among like items (shirts are $2.99, pants and jeans $3.49, kids clothes under 4T 1.99 etc) except non clothing items, shoes ,and purses. I've gotten Ann Taylor Loft, Gap ,Chaps , Ralph Lauren, etc. for extreme discounts. I shop for my entire family there, and put us in only name brands for penny on the dollar. Every week they have a tag color that is half off and I have the 10% off discount card that I paid $3 for at the beginning of the year. My best finds lately have been an outfit that originally cost $42 from the Gap for my baby, that i got for $2 (originally $4 but the color tag was half off) and a learning tower for $5. I love Goodwill and get sticker shock from going shopping even at places like Walmart. That being said I live next to one of the richest zip codes in the state, so a lot of nice stuff gets donated, and I don't work so it is worth it for me to search out the deals.

We have this, which goes onto your toilet. It does take up some floor space, but it folds up so it's not a ton.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Trainer-Adjustable-Toddler-Childrens-Training/dp/B07D7N9SHZ

Some more practical feedback...



> He cries when he doesn’t get more crackers

Don't give him crackers. He eats what you eat, no ifs and buts.

> when I turn the cartoons off,

Don't let him watch cartoons on his own. If you watch cartoons you do it together and only before bed time, 30 minutes per day maximum.

> if we don’t hold him,

Then hold him more. No 18m old has ever been harmed by being held too much. If you can't hold him, carry him around in a baby carrier.

> if we tell him to get out of the kitchen so we can cook

Such a missed opportunity! You should be cooking together as a family because that is a great way for him to learn about food and food culture. Worst thing is he WANTS to learn and you are rejecting it.

I recommend buying a play kitchen from IKEA:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60319972/

As well as as learning tower:

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Partners-Learning-Adjustable-Original/dp/B001ECHXVC