15 months old has started testing boundaries. I know it's a normal part of development and they aren't being naughty per se, but at the same time I'm not sure the best approach to deal with it.
She's just turned 15 months. Very happy and curious also very headstrong and independent. Quite an early developer, confident walker by 9 months and using three words together to make herself understood. I only say this because when she ignores me I can be confident she hears and understands but is either choosing not to or just blanking me out because she's busy doing her own thing.
Generally she is really good. Follows instructions very well but she can really be a handful. I find when she masters a new skill her behaviour or rather listening gets worse for a week or two after.
Currently, she is using the word "no" a lot.
"Let's put our shoes" ..."NO no no! Wellies" was this morning. At the moment I try and pick the battles.
She's getting frustrated when she can't do something straight away. And can get quite whiney (this is new, the last couple of days)
Also she has started holding on to my leg when I'm cooking and putting all her body weight on it so that if I move shed faceplant the floor. It's hard when cooking because obviously it's hot in the kitchen. She knows shes not allowed on the kitchen when I'm cooking, this is definitely boundary testing.
She is particularly challenging at baby groups where she seems to gain selective hearing and just does her own thing. People comment eg. Today someone said "she's a real character" before she'd even got out of the pushchair...
I know this is all normal behaviour but I honestly don't know how to react sometimes. When I see other babies her age sitting on their parents laps and singing the songs I wonder why my kid is the one I the middle doing gymnastics and being vocal!
Any tips for a first time mum fast approaching the toddler years??? Thanks