To fear the toddler years?

[TheABC]

I am fortunate to have a lovely, sweet tempered energetic baby DS. He is just learning to crawl and already grabs everything in sight. Both myself and DH were allegedly handfuls as toddlers - should I be worried about history repeating itself? Especially since I seem to be having it easy (ish) at the moment?

Toddler stage can be cute and funny but it has its truely shit moments. Dd is not quite 3 but can be a defiant little monster at times.

Oh toddlers are wonderful! So much more fun than babies. Yes, they do make you want to rip your own ears off sometimes, but on the whole they're pretty fantastic.

I would freeze DD in time at this age (2.7). She is so funny, affectionate and unpredictable. I even find the tantrums funny (mind, she is DC2' not sure I was quite so laid back with DS1.

Once you accept your life is not your own, your house will never be tidy and you'll never sit down before 7.30pm again, it'll be fine, I promise

Every stage of them growing up has its challenges but could you really face a newborn again?

Toddlers are fun, cuddly, dramatic explorers! They are challenging and learning the power they have which expresses itself in so many ways - refusal to eat, sleep, etc. but it is just another stage, you will all too soon be standing at the school gate wondering how on earth your 'toddler' got so big, so enjoy what you can and drink wine to get through the rest!

DS has just turned 3 and things have been getting easier in the last 6 months. He's very independently minded (which is a double edged sword- the good side is that he's quite helpful and can be undemanding), but has been slow to get communicative which had generated a lot of tantrums since he understood "no" before his first birthday. For months when I was pg and when DS2 was born, we had an almost daily "breakfast tantrum". He'd be in a lovely mood then would suddenly flip. I used to end up leaving the room for him to calm down most days. The trigger was discovered by accident when he managed to pull the cereal boxes out himself- all those months of daily suffering because he couldn't tell me he wanted self service. I found 10 months until I started working part time at 14 months very socially isolated. DS 2 is approaching that age, and I'm finding it easier now there is some form of conversation with my toddler. They can be incredibly cute and endearing, and you can really see them as a small person. DS1 likes to choose his own clothes to wear each day. Today he styled DS2 (and did a very good job too)

My DS is 2 tomorrow! Today I've shouted at him probably a million times but have hugged and kissed him after every new word he's said and every adorable thing he's done about 2 million times. Dd was much more laid back and calmer than him and never went through the "terrible twos", however she's turned into a monster aged 6.

They all turn into monsters at some stage I think even if they bypass the naughty toddler stage.

Embrace all of it.

My ds's are 18 ,16 and 14.

However tricky your gorgeous baby may turn out to be, so what, he'll grow out of that phase and still be utterly fab.

Thanks, everyone. I am off to cuddle the baby and prepare myself for his growing up with distraction, drink and a plan for all the different stages. [Grin]

Any more tips?!

IME, the toddler period has been so much better than the baby one, because DS can talk, interact etc. He's still immensely hard work, but now there's good stuff to make up for the bad stuff. You'll be ok

Be afraid ... Be very afraid ....

I braced myself for "the terrible twos" and they didn't happen! Our daughter's nearly 23 now and no tantrums yet. Maybe one day she'll just explode - taking us with her

I had the easiest baby dd you can imagine. From 3 days old slept from 7 to 7! Ate any food you feed her, accepted cuddling from anyone, etc....

Now she is four................ And it has become hmmm I don't have a word for it..... I have gone grey.

Doesn't listen, never listens, runs if in the shops, just impossible.
And this despite us being consistent, explaining everything and teaching consequences.....

Good luck and be ready!

Toddlers are brilliant - provided you have got one which lets you get a decent nights sleep.

DC2 didn't sleep through (or even nearly) until nearly 3yo and day after day with a manic toddler on no sleep became tortuous.

Don't fear the toddler years! I've lived them, I had a happy and sweet baby boy and he has grown into a happy and sweet preschooler with very few 'bad' times in between. Just a lot of fun and love

Some toddlers are no better then babies in terms of how much rest you get, but it is easier in that in the majority of cases other people find them more engaging as there's some interaction This means that you can fool them into babysitting.

Only the once spermy

I think Jerry Seinfeld summed up the toddler years perfectly by saying "a two-year-old is like having a blender, but you don't have a lid for it."

It's chaotic and tiring but I haven't laughed so much before or since. Toddlers are little comedians.

Our son is 24mths, and I am enjoying being a parent more and more. I love seeing the wonderment in his eyes when he sees a train or a field of sheep or the moon. I love hearing him say 'wow' and seeing his face widen at the sight of a bowl of grapes, and I love the greater interaction.
He is what many would describe as difficult, hard work etc., as he os always on the go, but he suits us.
No major tantrums, but we choose our battles, otherwise we would spend the whole day saying 'no', 'get down' etc.
Mind you, he gets very upset if we make a cup of tea without letting him 'help'.
I work more than FT and my partner stays at home with DS and somehow works from home too (on rare occasions he is asleep). It has been since DS stared toddling that I have resented work the most. Enjoy!

Soon as they can articulate how much they love you (mine was about 2.5) they tell you ALL the time. They are learning all the time and make you laugh out loud with the crazy stuff they come out with. It's a wonderful phase!