From bump to baby is an incredible, endearing and emotional
experience that is filled with joy, love and kindness. From my experience after
birth, it is just a haze, days blend together, and before you know it you are
celebrating your little ones first birthday. As a parent you have a right to
feel anxious at how fast time can fly by, and soon you will be slowly
approaching TERRIBLE TWO’s.
I hear a lot of parents share their
stories of their little precious cherubs suddenly turning into terrible,
hard-headed toddlers.
Smiles and Snuggles had been traded for tantrums and time-outs. Baths had
become missions and dinnertime a danger zone. Everyone for themselves! And take
cover, ring a bell?
Yet although I can sit and nod in agreement,
because all parents go through this stage not knowing where you will end. It
saddens me, because the there is no doubt the terrible two comes with
challenges, but they also represent a time of great milestones, imagination and
determination from our ever learning angels. Even in the darkest moments, I am
smitten because the constant arguments and solid ‘no’ just proves my daughter
is finally taking a stand in what she wants and showing me that she has the
capability to hold a voice all on her own.
So I challenge and welcome the reasons to love
this pivotal age, knowing that one day soon I will look back and wish it had
not passed so quickly, like I do so very often.
Ten things to consider when you are preparing for
war.
1)
Their strong will, and determination can exhaust
you out. But they are leaders in the making, getting ready to choose what they
want. So god damn anyone who gets in the way if they want sauce on their
Weetabix for tea. Always give a toddler option two options, it allows them to
feel in control. Which may result in less tantrums, because let’s be realistic
no one likes getting told what to do.
2)
Adventurous? We all have an element hidden away. There's
a fine line between shielding your toddler from danger and frustration, and
smothering him. Unless there's an immediate danger, let your child climb the
stairs, step in the puddle, and they get dirty, it is in their nature to be
curious and to try everything.
3)
Creativity? Finding dead bugs in your shoes, or
hiding in the cupboard to find where your little one has stashed your tampons
for lunch is not exactly our way to express our creativities. But do not forget
they are a blank canvas, wanting to express their feeling and creativity in any
way possible. Carefully guided it can become a topic enjoyable, otherwise it is
destruction and crayons décor on your walls never seems appealing. So I would
suggest to limit the area, sand pit, paint, crayon, tree house painting, and
sticking sessions.
4)
Two-year-olds are notorious with a stubborn
attitude that can discourage even the most patient parents. They can do it them self, even if it
takes all day to slip on their shoes. They will eventually do it, so take a
breather and offer them help, do not simply do for them.
5)
As for meltdown moments, take comfort in the fact
that if we just wait a few minutes, our tumultuous toddlers will soon forget
and be over what's ailing them.
6)
Crying one minute and laughing the next. Toddlers are
an example of an emotional roller coaster. If they throw a tantrum remember they
are still trying to figure out their emotions, and are still figuring out how
to express what’s wrong. So sit down and just give them a cuddle. It is our
most deadly weapon that cure anything.
7)
From colours to shapes to songs, little ones love
to learn new things, dissect toys, follow critters and explore various
environments. Involving your toddler in
hands-on activities, you can encourage her curiosity for life and its
mysteries. After all, parents are their most important teachers, and
children make the best students.
8)
By
embracing their naturally soft-hearted natures, and nurturing them with
patience and gentle guidance. We can guide them to interaction, they may not
speak, but they understand more than you realise. They will take you by storm
with the constant surprises and determination to suffice their earning of
anything new. They will not give up! And neither should you.
9)
It is the simple pleasures that give any toddler
the most joy a spoon and a pan, or a simple cardboard box can flip into a house and transform into a space shuttle. Their imagination will run wild, they just require the fuel.
10)
When life's inevitable boo-boos come their way,
tots often need nothing more than a kiss from Mom or Dad. This affectionate
gesture is a parent's most powerful tool, for what toddlers need most at this tender age is love, direction, and
the security of knowing a parent's comforting embrace is always an arm's reach
away. Self-soothing? It is absolute tosh, which is sugar coated with the
pleasant name. It is a myth, it’s a skill they develop when their brains
distinguish it. What is wrong with a hug or kiss?]
So overall a tantrum could lead to anything, from
a head ache, a laugh, a soppy cuddle or simple outbreak. They are misunderstand
and what make it harder is not having the patience to guide your little one to security
and to entertain the ever expanding knowledge they earn to develop. Take a couple
of breaths, and whether too have an audience or not just remember you are there
role model, and mimic behaviour, they need their super hero more than any other
time now.
Sweet dreams.
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