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Original poster

Poll: difficult baby = easy toddler OR 'good' baby = nightmare toddler?

43 replies

ghosty · 04/04/2006 02:23

DS was a difficult baby but cruisy toddler ... DD who was the dream baby has turned into an absolute shocker - at least 10 screaming tantrums a day and at least another 10 less screamy ones ... it feels like I am dealing with them every minute of the day ... and I am going round the twist Sad
So ... someone once told me that difficult babies turn into easy toddlers and vice versa ...
What is your experience?

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threebob · 04/04/2006 02:38

Bob was a nightmare - now a sweetie. So I guess that's another yes.

I have done lots of work recently with tantrummers - I have worked out a system of musical cues with their caregivers. They are very simple and work with toddlers that find change difficult.

What are her tantrums about?

Original poster
ghosty · 04/04/2006 03:38

You name it threebob ... anything and everything ...
Can't have a biscuit? Tantie
Need to put shoes on? Tantie
Need to take shoes off? Tantie
Time to get in the car? Tantie
Time to get out of the car? Tantie
Want to walk? Tantie
Want the buggy? Tantie

Get the picture?

Hate the kiwi term Tantie as well ...
Sorry.

OP posts:
Original poster
ghosty · 04/04/2006 03:39

What are these musical cues about then?

OP posts:
Original poster
ghosty · 04/04/2006 03:41

Yesterday we had 3 tantrums before leaving the house for the school run. Then a tantrum in the car park followed by a tantrum at Whitcoulls followed by the mother of all tantrums at Pak 'n' Save ...
Am exhausted and want to sell her on Trademe Sad

OP posts:
colinandcaitlinsmommy · 04/04/2006 03:51

A very easy baby = a very easy toddler. He's definitely hit the "terrible twos" but even in that he's really not all that bad.

Now DD on the other hand, very difficult all of her 7 months so far, so I'm really hoping for an easy toddler (not holding my breath, though). I see why people made such a huge deal about how good DS was.

threebob · 04/04/2006 04:04

I'd have to sing them to you. A basic one is "sitting on the floor" going down the scale with each syllable from the 5th note to the 1st.

There is also a great song that I deffo can't do over the internet which prepares children to do all sorts of things - anything you want them to do.

Have you got my number? I could sing them to you.

Original poster
ghosty · 04/04/2006 05:29

threebob ... you are fab ... Smile
I think I have your number ... I'll check ... I can ring you tomorrow night (flat stix tonight and then I am going out)
I'll mail you if I don't have your number Smile

OP posts:
jabberwocky · 04/04/2006 06:42

Another difficult baby = easy toddler here. Of course, he does have his moments, but really not that bad actually. However, I feel that I totally deserve it after the nightmare first year I had with him Smile

threebob · 04/04/2006 07:13

I'm out from 7.30 leaving ds and dh to watch porn and jump of the furniture (joking before anyone shops me to CYFs) But please call me before then and I will sing them to you.

threebob · 04/04/2006 07:13

BTW - bragging moment - I got a distinction for my assignment from this research, found out today!

marialuisa · 04/04/2006 09:01

DD is 5 and has always been easy. i am assuming that she will turn at 13!

katzg · 04/04/2006 09:06

DD1 whos now 3.5 was an easy baby (i managed to write my PhD thesis), an easy toddler and now relatively easy child! shes not perfect but responds to being rewarded (bribed)for good behavior.

DD2 now 9months was a good newborn, and is an ok baby but does tend to strop! so i watch and wait for toddler trantrums from her!

Jasnem · 04/04/2006 09:06

One easy baby, easy toddler, easy child
One difficult baby, toddler, child...I like to think of her as strong minded and full of personality. But she is harder work!

blueteddy · 04/04/2006 09:50

DS1 - Terrible first 3 months with him. He had bad colic & constantly screamed, but was a dream toddler who only had to be told "No" the once & never climbed on furniture etc.

DS2 - Dream newborn who rarely cried. I had PND after his birth & he spent a lot of time in his baby chair, as I was a bit out of it and he would just sit there for ages before making a fuss.
As soon as he began to move around he turned into a real handful. He climbs everywhere, takes no notice of the word "No", has a terrible temper & has constant tantrums, hits & shouts at his older brother and despite over a months attempt at toilet training him - he still wees & poos all over the house!!

acnebride · 04/04/2006 10:03

easy all the way so far, though ds is only 2.3

bamboo · 04/04/2006 10:05

DD was an nightmare baby but easy toddler. DS is sooo laid back - I'm expecting him to be a horror when he's older! I've seen this happen loads of times. I guess it's partly just relative - any tantrum that DD threw could never be as bad as those early, colicky sleep-deprived days.

BonyM · 04/04/2006 10:44

DD1 has always been easy - ever since she was tiny - she's now almost 8.

Dd2 is much more of a challenge. Not difficult as such but into absolutely everything and has that mischievious glint in her eye Grin. Also throws a right strop if she can't get her own way. She's just turned one so we are waiting to see how she will turn out!

NomDePlume · 04/04/2006 10:46

Easy baby
Easy toddler - as easy as a 2 year old can be
Easy child - again, as easy as a 3.5 year old can be

poppiesinaline · 04/04/2006 10:51

DS1 - Terrible baby Terrible toddler
DD - Easier baby - easier toddler
DS2 - Easy baby - yet to find out >

paolosgirl · 04/04/2006 10:56

DS - terrible baby terrible toddler terrible child (but getting better now aged 8 Grin)

DD - easy baby easy toddler easy child

ProfYaffle · 04/04/2006 10:59

Easy baby, easy toddler (so far, fingers crossed, touch wood etc etc)

Nbg · 04/04/2006 11:05

Very easy baby and a bit of a nightmare toddler.

HenniPenni · 04/04/2006 11:41

DD1 - Difficult baby, difficult toddler, lovely cuddly pre-teen NOT!!
DD2 - Dream baby, dream toddler now an eight year old with fantastic sence of humour.
DD3 - Easy baby and todler, but with lots of medical issues, now a lovely, bright, bubbly five year old.

charliecat · 04/04/2006 11:44

DD1 Nightmare Baby, Bloody Awful Toddler didnt sleep throught the night for 5 bloody years bla bla bla is now 8 and turning into a right wee cracker :)
DD2 Good baby, good toddler, nice little girl at 5 :)
Wonder how they will be in a few years !

tegan · 04/04/2006 11:47

DD1 excellent baby and toddler just a right cow now
DD2 nightmare baby but getting better as she gets older.