The Toddler Years: Four Ways to Help You and Your’ Child Get Through This Phase in Life,Together!

Riding the transition from infancy to toddlerhood can be a challenge for any mother and the entire family as everyone adjusts to the new dynamic.

Here are four tips to get you through the tough haul from baby to big boy:

1. This is a little known fact: the toddler years officially begin at twelve months! There is so much made about the ‘terrible two’s’ that no one mentions the wackiness begins at one year. This can be confusing and frightening for a mother to watch her child’s personality change overnight; don’t worry, it’s just the toddler stage upon you.

2. Toddlers are more aware of their surroundings and environments and can easily become over stimulated so it’s important to do two things to keep your son or daughter from overloading: first, toddlers need plenty of sleep, so make sure their naps are scheduled and taken. Second, set aside some quiet time every afternoon without music or television or excessive family noise, it will help them calm down and re-center.

3. Toddlerhood is a highly frustrating time for your baby because they are more aware of their needs and have minimal or no language skills to communicate their needs so the frustration level is very high, all the time! Tears and tantrums define this phase and your temperament will adjust to the irrational and angry response to innocuous situations; just give it some time and let them vent if they need to and then just carry on with whatever activity you were all doing. It’s time to get comfortable with public embarrassment!

4. Once your child reaches twelve months they become very territorial and refuse to share anything with anybody! They view themselves as very powerful so when they are playing with older kids, I recommend stepping in once the tugging match begins and take your toddler away from the toy or game.

It’s a stressful time for the toddler too so they will need extra hugs and kisses especially when they know they’ve upset you; it’s essential for their well being that your children know your love is not dependent on their behavior!

Remember, as with all things in life and babies, this too shall pass!