Toddlers
 

Since there is a recent thread about teenagers, I thought I'd bring up another troublesome age category...TODDLERS.

Today my 2.5 year old wanted to wear her jacket while at the same time passionately did not want to wear her jacket! :ohmy:

Need I say more? Those who have had toddlers will understand.

Re: Toddlers
 

My daughter is 19 months and seems to have just entered that terrible twos phase. I was a little worried the first time I saw Poppy throw herself to the floor and start screaming. My wife assures me though it's just a normal phase. Even so, it's not particularly a phase I'm enjoying.

Re: Toddlers
 

You wait until you hit the tyrannical threes, mine shits in the garden and pisses off the deck.

Re: Toddlers
 

So my girls are 12 and 10 but so you know (and this is from the voice of experience) people may call it 'the terrible two's' but 3 years are wayyyyyy worse... just sayin ;)

Re: Toddlers
 

Oh yes, quite familiar with that. I particularly liked the occasional throwing or arching herself backwards regardless of whatever dangerous or sharp object is behind her. However, that seems to have stopped around 2, although it's been replaced by other stuff!

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Glad to hear it gets better! :)

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Yeah, 3 was rough.

Kind of down hill once they can start talking back, too.

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IME, it doesn't! :(

We only have one, little Miss P who is currently nine, and she was stubborn, difficult and opinionated as a toddler, and hasn't changed much. I don't know where she got those traits from. :whistle:

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:rofl:

Just wait another 2-3 years. You'll look back fondly on the younger years and realise just how easy they were.

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I'm desperately trying to convince SmallChog (3) that she doesn't need to be 8 inches away from me at all times. I feel like she's judging me for my parenting choices...

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/d...pter%20kid.jpg

Re: Toddlers
 

Well, if anything this thread and the teenagers thread are acting as a highly effective contraceptive method for currently childless (childfree?) couples :lol:

Re: Toddlers
 

Yes, I aim to inform and warn!

In all seriousness though, it is for me a totally worthwhile and rewarding experience, just doesn't feel like it every minute 😄

And it is not for everyone. I think society often pressures people into having children when perhaps they shouldn't. It really does change your life. Even people who have children get pressured to have more. We have decided to only have one, and you can't believe how some react to that. Won't she be lonely? Won't she be spoiled? What happens when you die with no sibling for her etc....I think ironically we probably had less pressure about children when we had none, now that I think about it!

Re: Toddlers
 

Kids are an excellent contraceptive for all couples, especially those who already have them. Can't get a moment alone with my wife before it is very late at night. Video games only keep them occupied for so long before they try to burst into your bedroom to tell you how they defeated the troll.

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I remember my now 4 year old screaming and crying at me because I wouldn't let her eat my deodorant.

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:rofl: So true!

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You mean the terrific twos?! ;):lol:

I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. They are exhausting and hilarious in equal parts.

Can't wait to send them up a chimney though, need to earn their keep. :thumbup:

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4 aint no cake walk either so far.

Constant "are we there yet" over a four hour drive from Phoenix to Greer. On the plus side the US 60 from globe to greer is a nice drive with some sweet hairpins.

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Ha ha, I look forward to that stage in her life.

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I devised a fix for that. When the kids would ask "are we there yet?" I would tell them "5 minutes". Kids at that age have no clue how long 5 minutes is :D

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I was really lucky with both of mine. The eldest and I had a major screaming match at each other when she was under 3, was my first time out after having the youngest and she went into one. I was obviously (but unaware) very post natal.

The younger one did have the screaming abdabs on the entrance mat of Somerfields but I just walked away, far enough for her to realise she wasn't getting attention but close enough that I could get to her if someone else approached her. Some old woman came up and asked me if the child was mine, I admitted she was, she asked me why I wasn't with her and I asked her if she wanted her, she looked horrified and walked away :rofl: . Small child stopped smashing her head and feet against the floor, looked up, saw me down an aisle shopping, got up and never did it again.

The eldest one became a nightmare at 20 if that helps anyone. She's great again now though. :lol:

Re: Toddlers
 

Today I am having one of those days when I understand why some animals eat their young. It started with a temper tantrum because she wanted to come in my bed and cuddle AND go downstairs for breakfast.

More raging because I gave her the pink cereal she asked for. :angry_smile:
Tears when I asked if she wanted to wear a dress or shorts :cry_smile:
A full blown temper tantrum when I gave her the 'wrong' orange and she's asked to go to the toilet 9 times in the last 2 hours

I'm now contemplating opening the bottle of wine in the fridge :drinkwine: while she methodically empties the water table by pouring small cups of the contents through the gaps in the decking.

Re: Toddlers
 

Mine are 16, 18 & 28 years, and have/had their issues, but my view is that "it changes, it doesn't always get better, just different" and in the end they do turn into human beings (well one has so far :rofl:)

Re: Toddlers
 

My kids react completely differently to the same situation where they don't get their own way. One will stop talking and will sob just about in earshot forever (which is annoying in it's own way, she's very good at upping the volume just enough when we are in opposite sides of the house) while the other screams and throws stuff around.

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My 2 parenting mantras have always been "Do what is best for your family" and "This too will pass" but today is just one of those days when I would happily feed her to the raccoons:eek:

Re: Toddlers
 

Maybe you should try her on the wine

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The best one is when they say "oh it's just a phase" but what they don't tell you is that after that phase ends, they start a new one.

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and now the little bugger has bitten me for the first time since I stopped BFing. Her dad cant get home early enough

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Fortunately, MOST toddlers do survive, and do get better. We came to live in a wholly new place (for us) when our one-and-only was two and a half. The usual difficulties, I guess; but when the chance came - he was six, and my wife insisted on working outside the house - I volunteered to become the parent of first resort, and was a house-father for the next five years. The best job I ever had; and we bonded so tightly during that period that these many years later I am still "the parent of first resort". I strongly recommend it, for fathers!

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:goodpost:

Re: Toddlers
 

Ours is in daycare and has been both the victim and perpetrator of biting on occasion! Apart from the fact that it is a bad habit in itself, it is also stressful bc the daycare documents it with a report signed by the teacher, the directors, etc. When it first happened I thought she was about to be suspended and considered counseling, until I learned that just about all kids in the class have gotten such a report at one time or another - apparently at least one a day goes home with some kid. TODDLERS!

Re: Toddlers
 

..and the real joy of having kids is when they have kids and they tell you how hard it is when you haven't slept, your nipples are sore, baby has a restless crying time every evening, there just isn't time to enjoy a long soak in the bath..

Oh karma, how I love you:thumbup:

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Thanks for the sympathy, Sugarmooma....I guess I'll just have to be patient and await revenge! 😜

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You're welcome;)

Just enjoy this time, these little people will one day exchange roles and will be there for you.
That will be your revenge:p

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That is so me. I just want to say 'leave me alone for 2 mins PLEASE' all the time.

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My two year old granddaughter is the same. Everyone says it must have skipped a generation...as they look at me. :whistle:

Edit: Her new 'tantrum' is crying because she claims something has hurt her. Kiss it better grandad...kiss is better...as she hobbles across the room...tears rolling down her face. One kiss from grandad and she has a big smile on her face. Everything in her life is good again.

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Being on a transatlantic flight, and when the baby starts crying, it's not yours. Oh, the memories! I feel sorry for the parents - but I didn't think anyone ever felt sorry for me! :lol:

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Thank you for feeling sorry for the parents - as you say, many do not. We have done long international flights with our toddler to visit family, and it is stressful and tiring. She actually ended up doing well and sleeping in the fold-down bassinet (she was still just under 2) for most of the flight, but I was nonetheless worried. My biggest fear was not having to stay awake, walking her up and down etc., it was inconveniencing others.

There are obviously some parents, particularly those with older kids, who let them do whatever...kick the seat in front of them, be rude etc. and they deserve some blame. But most parents, especially those with infants and toddlers, really do their best and sometimes, after having tried food, drinks, toys, etc there is really only so much you can do. I would happily pay a little more for a kid section in the plane if one existed!

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I fear we may be entering a biting phase...

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I love toddlers, they're so challenging yet utterly charming in their naivety. Enjoy that time while you have it! They soon get shi**y and obnoxious but only for a few years.

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The FAA advises to use child seats for all children including under 2 during take off and landing. At the moment you are still allowed to not have a seat for infants under 2, but I think there is a push to require it.

Bit like it used to be ok not to strap your kids in the back of the car. Because it was allowed did not make it safe. I know flying is expensive, but it depends how much you kid's wellbeing is to you. There is a price for most things in life.

If using a CARES harness on an international flight , check the local regulations for coming back if you want to use it.


Child Safety
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pil...tbelt_web2.pdf