Things you wished you had / hadn't done: parenting a toddler

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As my DD leaves babyhood behind (2 years old) I feel I'm entering a more challenging period of life. I liked having a little baby. They stay where you put them and I didn't have to keep coming up with inventive ways to present fruit and vegetables.

Also I wasn't nagged at all the live long day to 'play'. I do play and I love my little girl but I'm wondering what the next year holds.

Tips and tricks. Anything you wish you'd done (or not!)

NEVER replace batteries in noisy toys.

That is all.

Really? Unlike you, I found 0-2 yrs a relentless slog. 2+ is the golden age of parenting - they sleep well, get more independent, are funny to be around, curious, interesting, don't need routine. And, after 4+, things get EVEN easier and more pleasurable! Enjoy every second! That is all

Lol @ Kveta - so true!

I agree with AnnieMated - I much prefer this stage (DD is 2.8), toddlers are great fun and I love to chat to her, I found a non-talking baby so difficult to spend all day with! I also love the freedom from The Routine. Plus DD eats much better now than when she was under 2.

The tantrums have been an eye-opener, but I think we're over the worst of them now - I don't have any tips though, I did/do really struggle with them!! Tantrums are the worst bit!

My dd is just 2 too. She's more delightful than before but harder to entertain. I cut pics outta mags and we a lot of sticking! I'm also up to my neck in sticker books.

Hardest is when she's happily amusing herself and I'm sat there like a third wheel. I end up here then feel guilty for a small bit of adult company. We do groups etc but well it's tough at times. Be better once weather improves. Can't wait for spring!

DS is 2.2
I wish I had got him into a sleep routine when he was a baby before he could protest and climb out of his cot.

(But he loves sleeping with me and DP and secretly we love it too although it is exhausting. I would however love to know that from 7pm, my evenings will be my own!)

Ignore tantrums totally.
DD1 threw one on the quarry tiles that hurt, so next time she tried the sofa.
Miserable mummy just went in the other room, so she didn't bother again.

(I should say our house is rather good for toddlers, the kitchen leads off the lounge and dinning rooms so you can keep a discrete eye on them).

Reins and hid every pen and expect to be totally exhausted.

Once her sister came along DD1 got much less tiring, but from 18 months to three she climbed, fiddled and vanished continuously.

By comparison her still BFing, handholding, toy playing with, much earlier talking sister was a dream.

Toddlers are much more fun than babies and vastly more fun when they learn to talk and entertain themselves appropriately.

Some are somewhat more tiring getting there than others.

My tip would be say what you mean and mean what you say. Or in other words, be really clear on instructions and if you threaten something "we will go straight one if you don't keep your hat on" then you must follow through. So avoid things that make your life harder! Never, ever, ever give in to a tantrum. Even when it's in the middle of the supermarket and everyone is staring as if you're some child abuser.
DS is 2.5 and I think parenting is getting more and more fun. We can play games now and he really enjoys visits to zoos etc. I know it won't last and I'm trying to relish it.