How do you manage the different age development?

[littleraysofsunshine]

I have a 3.5yo, just 2yo, and 19wo.

But the elder two I sometimes find hard to balance the ages. Close but also far apart. Both bright little girls but sometimes I find myself expecting them to do the same just because they do the same. Dd2 is a bit more bulshy, if frustrated she gets very angry and screams. Seems like she is having "terrible twos" worse than dd1 did but I guess it's more competition for the 2nd child.

How do you find the best way to talk or expect things from them? Like tidy up time, I know dd1 understands more but they both refuse 80%of te time, or sharing, dd2 is also hair pulling and pinching at the minute. So it's hard to remember what the he's and stages are like sometimes. As all children are completely different regardless of siblings likeness

I have 3.5yr old and 16 week old, so hats off to you with a 2yr old as wel!

DD1 at 3.5 really gets sticker charts now - we have one for staying in bed, and one for 'lessons' (practising writing). When she has same age friends over tiding up competitions work well - eg who can put the lego away fastest complete with horseracing style commentary.

Otherwise I suppose its the old chestnut of ignore the bad and reward the good behaviour with lots of praise. I remember praising all sorts of routine behaviour around terrible twos (you are holding mummies hand so nicely, I love when you walk with me etc) although it can feel you never stop talking. Good luck!