Cherish every moment (Toddler Stage in general)

Member Name: abbadabbado

Product:	Toddler Stage in general
Date:	20/01/09 (140 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: a joy to have a toddler

Disadvantages: they're hard work

My baby isn't a baby anymore; she is firmly a toddler and has been for a few months now. I am never sure when people decide their babies become toddlers, and I think most people term it when their children start to walk or otherwise known as toddling around.
Finding their feet brings on a whole new set of challenges and rewards for both toddler and parent.

When I look back at my older daughter and remember her when she was about eighteen months old, I always loved that stage. She was communicating with people, albeit not in a clear way, and she was able to get into everything and perhaps even amuse herself for a few minutes whilst I got on with things.
Needless to say I was looking forward to my younger daughter reaching this stage. I have learnt very quickly that they have got two very different personalities and have both behaved very differently in their toddler stages.

As mentioned above, there are rewards and challenges you will face with your toddler and I'll touch on a few of my personal toddler experiences both good and bad.

** Playing **

It's a joy to be able to sit down with Abby and play a game with her, knowing that she is drinking in all the information we are talking about whether she understands it or not. I know it's sinking in somewhere to be brought back out in the future when she's ready. Learning how to recognise an animal from a picture, or how to press a button on a toy to make sounds is all brilliant to be able to share with a young mind.

Only yesterday I caught Abby getting her packet of baby wipes out (which she knows she's not allowed) and pulling one out before going over to her Upsy Daisy which she had laid down on the table. She then lifted Upsy Daisy's legs and put the baby wipe on her legs.
I couldn't help but smile and couldn't tell her off for getting a wipe out because she was trying to change Upsy Daisy's nappy like she has had done to her for all these months.

** Feeding **

We have had ups and downs when it has come to feeding times. Abby is very strong willed and refused to be fed from about 15 months. This has resulted in some very stressful and messy meal times. I realised in the end after battling with her when I was in a rush that she would do it quicker with me not interfering.
I also learnt that I have to encourage using her fork and spoon as she loves eating with her hands still. We know she can use her cutlery she just decides she can get more in her fists and food doesn't fall out of her fists like it does her fork.

** Communicating **

As I mentioned Abby is very determined and strong willed. She knows when she doesn't want to do something and will shake her head at me quite fiercely. Her speech isn't as clear as other children her age, but I know it will come when she is ready. She is however a chatterbox and never shuts up, which is lovely, but I wish I could understand what she is saying sometimes so I can help her more.
We have touched on the Makaton sign language as she loves watching Something Special on Cbeebies, and this is great for encouraging her to say thank you to people.
I find I get a lot of that silly noise known as "uh uh uh" (if you're a parent you'll know what I mean, if you're not I'm sorry I'm not sure how to explain it properly).
This noise I know will go when she can speak properly for herself, but even now she knows it's annoying as we tell her not to do it and she stops straight away as we ask her to point to what she wants.

** Behaviour **

Most of the time Abby is very well behaved. She has gone through stages of throwing toys, which we have half conquered by making her pick things up when she dies this. It's a painful and frustrating process for both parent and child but you will win the battle as a parent eventually so persist.
She went through a brief stage of pulling my hair. I tried to pull hers back but that backfired on me so I had to remove her hands as quickly as possible and then put her down away from me. She soon got the message that it was wrong. We explained it to her as well of course.

Her current "thing" is biting. Over the last week we have noticed she'll bit when she's frustrated or not allowed to do something. She then laughs.
We considered biting back but as this didn't work with the hair pulling then we opted not to do this. Funnily enough she doesn't bite at nursery just to Mum and Dad at home. We are taking the measure of sitting her out for a couple of minutes and then explaining to her that it is wring to bite and she mustn't do it etc.

I've just realised I went through the bad behaviours first. It's funny how that sticks in your mind more.
Her good behaviours are lovely. As a toddler she knows what kisses and cuddles are and she is very affectionate.
We always get a kiss directed from her when we get her up in the morning. She often comes up to me in the kitchen, hugs my leg and makes an "ahhh" noise at me to let me know I am having a cuddle. This always makes me melt inside and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful toddler in moments like these.

** Independence **

Some toddlers are more independent than others. We always thought Abby was very independent but we realised by accident we were still doing a lot of the stuff she should be doing for herself for her.
Things like wiping her hands after her dinner, and walking to the car instead of being carried everywhere. I think it's important to look after your children, but also to encourage them to be independent. They will always know you're right behind them ready to help if they need it, but I realised it was because we wanted to do the things for Abby when we should encourage her.

Having a toddler is hard work. Just because they can walk and sleep through the night doesn't mean the hard stuff is over, in fact it probably never is as each stage brings on a different set of challenges.
Having a toddler is also greatly rewarding, and try to cherish the good times without getting bogged down with the bad times.

Summary: take the good with the bad