Please refresh my memory. What is an 18 month old like?!

[MacNcheese87]

I have two other children, both 8 years+ (and they have special needs so even if my memory wasn't shot, it would be impossible to compare to). Toddler years feel like decades ago, and I can't remember at all what it's like to have an 18 month old.

I'm asking because I have a 7 month old now, but I'm planning a trip for Christmas this year where she will be 18 months old. Babies under 12 months are free, but being 18 months old, we will be paying the full ticket price (which is the same for children and adults and not cheap £100pp+).

I wondered if she would actually be able to join in. Do 18 month olds do anything other than run in the opposite direction and fight sleep? This is all I can remember from those years!

The trip includes things like ice skating, baking gingerbread, making toys, speaking to Father Christmas etc. We will probably book anyway but I wondered if anyone could tell me about their 18 month old and what they get up to? Thanks

IME

Mostly happy, 2 yr old tantrums not kicked in yet
Easily excited about things, anything new is fun
Need watching all the time as they can run, climb, open cupboards but have zero sense
Don't like sitting still for more than 3 minutes
Not yet that interested in TV
Some are very clingy at this age, others aren't
There can be a horrific sleep regression for some
Mostly eat well, 2 yr old fussiness not kicked in yet

Wouldn't be able to join in with ice skating and only in a very very limited way with making things. You'd need to reckon on taking toddler toys along to the activities and entertain/run around after the 18 month old while the older 2 do the activity. Eating out is not easy unless you have a very placid toddler.

Mines fab, little chatterbox, loves walking but will happily sit and watch tv with us or play on her kindle baby games. Is also still into pretty much all toys so doesn’t need noisy things to keep her occupied. She’ll also wear headband headphones for her kindle now.

We ate out with her on holiday a lot and as long as there was food she was happy. The making toys sounds fun and gingerbread, i think she could get involved in those if only for making a mess

Thank you. I can't imagine her ever being 18 months!

Do they have much speech? I know they're all very different but generally speaking, will they try to join in a little bit? Can they take any direction at all? (I'm thinking along the lines of stirring a wooden spoon- even if they cannot do it themselves, will they be bothered watching me?)

Mine has lots of speech and will follow directions (I know that's lucky!). She can concentrate on simple activities for a short while - so will play with her toy kitchen and 'make Mama coffee' or with her toy farm. Plays with play dough but can't make anything - it's just fiddling with it.

Loves feeding ducks, playground, water play, books. A bit of telly but won't sit still for too long. Loves food, is great in restaurants (as long as she's eating).

Ice skating and making toys would be out for mine. Simple crafts - paints, crayons, stickers - would be fine. DD had a shit fit at Father Christmas last month but that could be just her!

I am absolutely loving this age, if that matters.

And as for being interested in watching you, yes, yes, yes. They're very easy to engage and distract, and are so interested in copying you. We never have any problem entertaining her, one way or another.

My 15 month old isn’t walking and doesn’t have any speech. He understands simple instructions but doesn’t use words himself yet.

He wouldn’t join in planned activities very well, but in 3 months time maybe it would be an option.

We've just had one to visit.

Quite a lot of speech (but I remember DS at that age only had a few single words)
V short attention span so don't count on being able to entertain her in particularly planned ways - lots of small, easily rotatable activities is key.
I don't think they could ice skate but I'm not very good at ice skating myself so we rarely ever go.
Baking yes although might get bored and wander off.
Strangers can be a bit scary so FC might not be very successful.
Generally pretty happy and easygoing but causes mischief just through general curiosity and wanting to experience everything.

Basically toddle about looking at things, can be coaxed to "join in" for about a minute then they get bored and toddle off again. Gorgeous cute happy age though. One person will need to be designated to follow them around for each activity.

Mine will happily watch us do things then want to copy, can follow some instructions and knows a few words

Oh they sound like they're at a lovely age! I'm reading your replies and smiling.

My 7 month old threw up on my face yesterday morning. A little bit went into my ear. That's pretty much the most she does right now!

Same as discusting, I have a 15 month old (clicked on this out of interest...) but no speech or walking or following instructions here (except NO to doing something dangerous, if I'm lucky), so I imagine by 18 months some walking but possibly unsteady, maybe a word or two.

YY I much prefer 18 months to 7 months! :)

Most 18 month olds can walk very well and even run, and tend to prefer to at all times!

My Dd was fab, a sensible little girl who was always trying to figure out the right way to do things and followed me everywhere.

My Ds was like a chicken on acid.

Both of mine were very strong willed by 18 months, constantly running off and were only willing to be interested in what they wanted - planned activities were a 90% miss. They liked running off and emptying shelves mostly, along with a cuddle and story! It’s not an age that gave me any freedom whatsoever - much preferred baby stage as at least I could do stuff I wanted/eat out.

My DS at 18 months was a nightmare to be honest. He literally did nothing but run and climb and throw himself into dangerous situations. He didn’t have that much speech then (good range of animal noises I remember) and pretty much zero attention span. He did have his cute moments though, and he didn’t really tantrum. He just had a lot of physical energy and no sense.

On the other hand some of his little friends (mostly girls) were adorable at 18 months. They’d just toddle about. Their speech was better and they’d play with toys nicely. I’m really hoping DD is one of those!

My DD is 18 months now. She’s lovely, and like others have said, is very mobile and can follow simple instructions. She has about 3 words though and a very short attention span, Father Christmas would be terrifying to her!

I should add that there’s no way I’d spend £100+ on a day out like that for her at the moment, it would be wasted!

I currently have an 18 month old. Loves tv (poor second child). Loves to run, walk, climb, attempt to jump. Loves books. Loves to try and draw (walls as well as paper ). Chatting more and more each day. Understands lots. Can manage simple instructions. Curious about everything. Loves stirring, baking, cooking and all forms of messy play. Loves simple pretend play, putting baby to sleep, drinks to her soft toys, stirring imaginary dinner she's making 'ninner! 'Tur tur' Adores water. Hours and hours filling and emptying. Pouring. Cause and effect. Light switches, door bells, crossing patrols, lifts. Loves escalators and going up and down repeatedly. Loves pushing stuff. Hates snow. still at the stage where wants to taste everything so outdoors in snow and ice has been pretty dodgy last few weeks. Also hates gloves (I remember my eldest was the same at this age) so doesn't tolerate being outside in the snow for long (despite loving the outdoors). Also hates the snow falling on her face. Just stand still until she is covered in and then bursts into tears. I mention all of this as it sounds like you might be aiming for a snowy trip. 18 months is fab. I love hearing her yell mumma!! at the top of her voice and throw herself at me for a hug. Just amazing

Ah, mama sounds like we have similar .

I agree with you about the cold/snow. DD is well funny about gloves/mittens though can usually be persuaded into a hat. She enjoyed last month's snow for about 10 minutes and then got a bit cold and miserable. She loves the outdoors otherwise, though, and isn't bothered by ordinary cold.

The underdog- it’s tough when they don’t walk isn’t it as they get so frustrated.

DS only follows a few very simple instructions such as “get your mat” for when he needs changing, “bring me a book”, “go and hide”, “put it down”, however most of the time he chooses to ignore me and legs it to the other side of the room laughing as if it’s a game!

OP, I'm guessing you're going to Lapland UK? I took my 13 month old this year (and told a white lie about her age). She couldn't participate at all. I would say by 18 months yours would be able to participate in some of the activities, with lots of involvement from you. Probably not overly interested in the toy making, but should like the gingerbread decorating. No to ice skating, but the elf village has some open space where they can run around and stretch legs.

It is very expensive, but a really good day out, we hope to go again next year when my youngest will be 3

Keep an eye on the aldi and Lidl middle aisles. If you can get german style toddler rain trousers they are fab for cold weather. If not, jojo maman bebe do a full body one, but it's expensive.

Ermmm

DD1 at 18 months, loved walking, running but little speech.

DD2 at 18 months, loved walking,running and was a fully trained negotiator with her speech.

DS was a Tasmanian devil on speed . Don't know if it was because he is a boy or because he was the youngest and had sisters to teach him .