Oh, yes, I remember what that was like! I lived with open-plan until DD was almost two. I used mesh doggy gates to block entry to the stairs, the bathroom and the kitchen; and put DD into a walker that was well-padded and had a tray surrounding it. I added more padding to the outer edge of the tray so that her questing fingers literally couldn't reach anything beyond the tray, although the dogs learned to drop their ball onto the tray for her to throw. I understand the use of walkers is discouraged now, due to the high incidence of injuries in falls down stairs. Other safety measures were child-proofing ALL cabinets and drawers [even in the blocked-off rooms], electric outlet plug-blocks, securing all cords so they couldn't be pulled, used museum putty to secure lamps, and put breakables on high shelves. IOW, basic safety measures. Those "entertainment centers" bored her, and she learned to climb out of the playpen before she learned to walk. But the real lifesaver was a babysitter so that I could go grocery shopping without her, lol.

I agree with those who say that this is just a normal stage. For some bizarre reason, in this country we expect our children to grow up and be independent at a ridiculously early age when in reality they still need quite a bit for the first several years of their life. I have found that understanding that something is normal and OK is the first step to coping with it and even ENJOYING it. New moms (and I still consider myself a "new mom" with a 17 month old, everything he does that is new is new to me too!) are constantly bombarded with advice and images of the way things SHOULD be - and of course if they are NOT that way, then you don't have a "good baby" - and if you don't have a "good baby" then who is to blame but mommy??? And 14 months may be a "toddler" officially, but he's still just a baby, who cannot express his needs any other way but by crying and clinging to who he wants - and I do believe that the emotional need of closeness to mommy is a need like any other physical need. I believe it goes back to birth and who the baby bonded with stronger - and assuming mom is the one who took maternity leave and was home longer with him, that's going to be mom. So rather than trying to explain away his behavior as something that must be "gotten over" I would advise your DIL to love every cuddle - to not worry if she can't get the housework done or whatever. Soon enough he will push her away when she wants a hug because he will not want to be taken away from whatever he's doing and she will be wondering where her affectionate little boy went. As far as what to say to Dad - that's always a tough one, especially with newer generations of dads who take a much more active involvement in their kids at a younger age than previous generations did as a whole. It sounds like Henry is not opposed to being with dad, just has a strong preference for mom when both are around. My little guy is like that lately too and what I tend to do is sit down with all three of us doing an activity and then when he is really interested in what he is doing, get up and leave. I don't sneak away but I don't make a big production over leaving either. Sometimes I just leave the house entirely and go spend an hour or two BY MYSELF (ah heaven). It usually takes him a couple of hours to notice I am even gone and go looking for me and then another hour or so after that to start to get cranky that I haven't come back yet - but if I am around it's "MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY" (he is starting to talk now and it's his new favorite word ;) - which is nice after 16 months of "Daddy" for everything!) But above all your son should not take it personally. By natural design for the sake of survival, babies and young children are totally self absorbed and can only deal with what THEY need. He is not behaving this way to hurt dad, he is behaving this way because he needs mom. It doesn't mean he doesn't love daddy, it just means that daddy does not meet that particular need at that moment in time. And tell him not to even think about what other kids are doing. It doesn't matter one bit to your child, so why should it matter to him? Kids do things at their own pace and on their own schedule - at least mine does. He does not do anything on millisecond before he is ready - but when he finally is ready, watch out world! DH is an extremely loving and involved father and I'm sure it bugs him when my son pushes away from him and wants me but he understands and doesn't take it personally. Sometimes he does get into a funk about it but we just talk about it and work through it. And as with all other things involving kids "this too shall pass."

I can totally relate!! My 3 year old rarely ever takes any naps, unless it's in the car, and then it's so late in the evening or afternoon, that it ruins all hopes of getting him to bed at a decent hour at night. When I do get him to his bed, it's read a story. I read the story. Then it's read another story. Sometimes, that does the trick. Other nights it's--I need water, I didn't brush my teeth (when he did!), I just want out, I'm hungry, the boogie man is in my room....the list goes on and on. I'm not saying that this is a good thing, but sometimes letting him watch a little tv at night helps him to drift off. But, mostly, it's just reading several books and playing a game of peek a boo from his room to the hallway. But, I know there are some nights he'd stay awake til 3 am if I'd let him!! I guess I can't blame him, both my husband and I are night owls. So maybe we need to change our habits and our son will change his.

I am in exactly the same place with my red oak floors :( my floors look just as orange as in the pictures... and the variations and wood grain are much more pronounced than I wanted. I have the flooring company coming in on Monday to put down the third coat of poly - do I have any options at this point? Or just a matter of it mattering less once I get more used to the new color...? I had this same level of shock and discomfort with my wall color (had to leave my apartment for the evening just to soothe myself!), but once they sanded the floors - I realized I loved the wall color, just that my old floor finish was clashing with it. Now after staining the floor - I am back to feeling they really clash... and I really wish I had just opted for no stain and a natural finish instead... I’d take that look over what I now have any day. At least - that’s how it feels right now. To the original poster - @lacollar - (or anyone else with a similar experience) - did you eventually get used to (or even fall in love with?! :)) your floors... even though at first it felt like the choice of stain color was a huge mistake? Has anyone tried tinting the final coat to tone down the orange/reds? Does that work? Appreciate any help/advice. Thank you all!