When were the “toddler years” over for you?

[Emmazebra]

As in when were you finished with typical toddler behaviour and felt like you had a child, not a toddler?

When they started school!

I think it probably happened somewhere between 3 and 4. DS is now 4.5y and very out of the toddler stage in that he understands a lot more and you can have a proper conversation with him but I can't put my finger on exactly when it happened.

Starting school. Although pick up in Reception was very similar to toddler days. 🤣

My 6 year old still behaves like a toddler sometimes.

But, the year before they started school probably.

Almost 4 hear and definitely glimpses of it

I'm 46. I'm still like a toddler at times

When they can talk enough to tell you what they want/need and when they're fully toilet trained. 3-3.5 years IME

My 4.5 year old still very much has toddler behaviour.

From 3 normally.

2 years old to 3 years old is the toddler into preschooler year ime.

3 and at school nursery, then they're a preschooler. Does depend on the child though, one of mine was practically born acerbic and middle aged, others can have typically 'younger' tastes or emotional regulation and stay toddlerish for longer

5yo

When they're able to answer back

The transition from toddler to teenager was long and seamless.
It turns out that there were reasons for that though.

4 and 6 was nice. 3, 5 & 7 were rough.

Somewhere between 2.5 and 3 is when I consider that they become preschoolers rather than toddlers, when they are potty trained and don't need a buggy.

About 3.5.

Whenever they could effectively wipe their own bum. That was the real turning point.

I have 3 ds and they are all very different but around 4 was a big turning point. Saying that they are still so, so young at 4 and 5 and I'm very glad I live in a country where school isn't compulsory until 6 and preschool is also a choice. My 6 year old still has tantrums though but loads of things are so much easier, they were all very physical and bolted a lot when toddlers so I don't have to worry about that , when we travelled it was a nightmare at times as they were all very wandering but also hated buggies from a young age, we had to watch them like hawks near water etc.
Now we can relax a lot more when out. I absolutely hated the toddler phase though, hugely cute but so, so much work, it was a shock after the baby bit which was v easy in comparison.

The traits they had when younger though are so positive now they are older, all so fit and sporty and into everything, swimming, running, football, climbing etc and very driven kids so what was frustrating when small is very much a positive now.

DD is 4 and although she still has the odd toddler moment when she's tired or hungry, she's definitely a child now, rather than a toddler. I love being able to really chat to her and listen to her ideas and views of the world.

DS2 is 3.5 and I was saying just the other day that they’re definitely more kid than toddler now! Physically and behaviourally. Things have got a LOT easier overall over the last 6 months. House is actually in an ok state too! But wanting to do it all over again so TTC 😄

DS shows glimpses of child, now nappy free, can have conversations albeit mainly about trains, picks up on emotions and situational moods very well, he's very strong and agile so not 'toddling' anymore and his shape is tall and lean, but then he wasn't a lovely squidgy one even as a baby. He will also throw a tantrum over ridiculous things and it's still very evident when he's tired/over tired, and there's still occasional need to intervene over sharing toys etc. He'll be 3 in December so I'm hopeful by next summer we'll be past the worst of it

My dd is nearly 4 and for the last 2-3 months she’s definitely been more child than toddler. Probably before that really but she regressed a bit when dd2 was born. She does still have tantrums but usually when tired and/or hungry like pp said. She was an early talker (full conversations from 18mo) so her tantrums haven’t been due to frustration at not being able to communicate, more like not getting what she wants even though she has explained clearly!

They are officially no longer toddlers when they turn 3.
Although mine all lost the toddle at around 2.5, but do consider them toddlers until their 3rd birthday as that is when they are no longer classed as toddlers.

Also hate the term preschoolers, am I the only one?!
Once they turn 3 they are just regular small children rather than a toddler. Preschoolers just annoys me, but maybe just me!

Starting school at four I’d say although DC3 was still an absolute mare throughout reception, she only turned four 3 weeks before she started so was very young. She’d just get so tired and would tantrum a lot on the way home.

Depends on the child. I'd say 4 was when things started to turn a corner & I would call them a toddler, but some behaviour wise got around that faster than others - especially my children with language issues, and one with physical issues was toddling a lot longer than her siblings - and then those behaviours and the toddler stomping came back 'round again at about 11 or so for puberty