Dealing with "independant" toddler

[myermay]

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I think the only thing you can do is adjust your day to include the extra time taken to do these tasks, practice makes perfect as they say!

I found it was best just to let dd climb into her carseat or buggy herself. Okay it takes ages, but experience taught me it was quicker in the long run - because it takes an awful lot longer trying to shove a screaming tantrumming toddler into a seat

Other posters will have better suggestions probably!

ds was exactly the same at this age. and a couple of months later he decided he had to choose all his clothes & put them all on. buttons used to drive me to distraction.... however, he's now 3.2 & remarkably efficient (we still seem to be late all the time but that's 'cos i never leave in time). i'm afraid you just have to grit your teeth & let them get on with it. he can now get his bedtime milk which is a real bonus!

Agree with everyone else, let him do it, be patient and (I don't mean this in a horrible way) be grateful. My ds has dyspraxia and at 3 and a half still takes longer than your ds to get in the car and is a LOT heavier to lift! I don't think your ds is testing boundaries, I think he's simply wanting to do stuff himself and needs to practise - like we all do. I realise how frustrating it is atm (my life is like that!), but soon it will be fantastic as he will be able to dress himself, get his own milk (!!! WOW!) and your life will be so much easier. I also think telling him to hurry is pointless. I do it myself with my ds when I get frustrated with him, but he's doing his best and tbh I feel like a bully when I'm nagging him. I'd hate it if someone talked to me like that. Just to reiterate, I sympathise, I'm not criticising, and I do the same, but I'm a year further down the line and I WISH my ds was more physically independent (and I'm also lucky compared to many).