What can I do to encourage my toddler's independence while staying connected?

[LunaL]

I have notes scattered across Google Docs, Apple Notes, random text files, and even physical notebooks. I need note-taking software that actually helps me organize and find information later. Every app I try seems great at capturing notes but terrible at helping me retrieve what I need months later. What note-taking software has the best organization and search features? I'm willing to learn a new system if it actually works.

---

As a student, I've found Obsidian to be incredible for note organization and retrieval. The linking system creates a web of connected notes that makes finding related information easy. The search is powerful, and the graph view helps me see connections I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. It takes some setup, but it's worth it.

[Samuel32]

Notion has completely solved my note organization problems. The database functionality lets me tag and filter notes in ways that make retrieval intuitive. I create databases for different projects and use relations to connect related notes. The full-text search works across all my notes, and the mobile app is great for capturing ideas on the go.

[GraceJ]

I use Evernote for all my note-taking and the organization features are excellent. The notebook and tag system, combined with powerful search that can even find text in images, makes retrieval easy. What really helps is developing a consistent tagging system - once you have that, finding old notes becomes trivial.

[AuroraS]

For technical notes, I use OneNote with a well-structured notebook hierarchy. The section groups and pages system, combined with tags, makes organization straightforward. The search works across all notebooks, and I can embed files, images, and even audio recordings. The integration with Office 365 means I can easily share notes with colleagues.

[Scarlett_M]

I’m really struggling with my toddler’s constant need to be held lately. It’s making simple tasks like making dinner or using the bathroom nearly impossible, and I’m starting to feel touched out and frustrated by the end of the day. I’m not sure if this is a phase I just need to wait out or if there’s something I should be doing differently to encourage a bit more independence.

[LunaTL]

I hear you. I hit that point where every dinner prep felt like a tug of war with a tiny person clinging on. We tried a simple plan after nap: 15 minutes of cuddle time, then a quick switch to a safe task with a sticker reward. It didn’t fix everything, but it gave me a breath and him a predictable end to cuddle time.

[ElizabethW]

Sometimes I wonder if it’s less about needing to be held and more about wanting to feel seen. On days when I was busy, it felt like he was telling me, hey I still need closeness, not alone time.

[Victoria27]

We bought a soft wrap and I wore him to chop veggies or wash dishes. It helped when I was alone and needed to cook. It didn’t last all night, but it bought 10 minutes here and there.

[Robert13]

Touch fatigue is real. I started setting a tiny cozy corner after lunch with a book and a stuffed animal. It wasn’t perfect, but having a space for him to settle helped me reset.

[Samuel93]

One evening I tried to push independent play a bit and let him help with rinsing veggies; he dumped water everywhere and cried when I moved away. It felt like a setback.

[EdwardW]

Do you have help at home or a partner who can tag in for a bit? I started asking that question and it made a difference in my sanity even if the toddler didn’t suddenly act differently.

[Ella_G]

I keep reminding myself not to expect progress fast and to breathe. Some days I feel hopeful, others not, and that’s okay.