Is/was anyone else really nervous about approaching the toddler years?

[Sterla]

My DS is a really good baby. Rarely cries, and is overall a pretty chilled-out little dude.

However, as we approach the toddler years (he turns 1 tomorrow ), I'm starting to feel quite nervous... I've heard about the temper tantrums, the being naughty for the sake of being naughty, the 'no' phase... and to be perfectly honest I'm crapping my pants about how I'm going to handle it all, lol.

Tell me I'm not alone!

[Cassius2]

i reckon from our experience (we are in the darklands of 2-3dom lol!) that it actually seems to all balance out. so yeah, while they might throw bigger wobblies (ie more reactive than causal) i have found it easier to deal with than a younger baby's crying and upsetness because as they enter the toddler tantrums you can communicate better and also be much more able to tell if they are just having an emotional meltdown because it is all too much or if there is actually something wrong ITMS...gosh i hope i am making sense!

and honestly when they do throw the mega 'nothing-is-going-to-calm-me-down' wobbly there is nothing you can do but throw your hands up and let them go for it. they just gotta go through it and deal with that emotion. they dont happen that often (i think we have had 2 of those in the last year and bit).

and the secret that nobody tells you (Cause they are too busy telling you about terror toddler years lol!) is that toddlers are FUN FUN FUN!! playgrounds become central to happiness, they start singing and dancing and creating imaginative play and can tell you they love you and smother you with hugs (and other various food-stuffs at the same time LOL!).

[Sterla]

and the secret that nobody tells you (Cause they are too busy telling you about terror toddler years lol!) is that toddlers are FUN FUN FUN!! playgrounds become central to happiness, they start singing and dancing and creating imaginative play and can tell you they love you and smother you with hugs (and other various food-stuffs at the same time LOL!).

Thanks Cassius, I needed to hear that .

[Boo Boo]

I totally agree Toddlers are so much fun and just so darn cute....the world becomes their oyster, they become such good little friends and helpers. You can have conversations with them, they let you know what's wrong, if there hungry, tired, not feeling well, which makes life a bit easier than all the guessing you do with a bub. They just love life, and love to play play play....and it is so much fun teaching them new things, they are little sponges and learning isn't tiresome for them they want to know everything.

and as for the tanties, well, you just gotta remember sometimes life can just become a bit too overwhelming and they have only been on this earth for such a short time in the scheme of things so just try and go with the flow and help them understand why they are so upset.

But most of all have fun with your little one, I get upset when I think about DD growing out of toddlerdom and going to school

Have FUN, it is the best time

[amberj]

ITA with the "they are really fun" sentiment. DS is 20 months, so we still have a lot of toddlerhood to go through, but I was really dreading the 18 month old stage- I've had friends kids who were so difficult at that age. My DS was, and is, totally fine. His tanties are handle-able, and he is not aggressive and challenging like my friends' kids- I think a lot of that comes down to temperament. DS was also a happy, satisfied baby like yours, so it bods well for you.

Honestly, the hardest 'stage' I have found so far is the time from a bit before 1 until about, oh, 6 weeks ago- during this time, I found DS very clingy, unable to occupy himself really at all, and also at a maximum of mobility with a minimum of reasoning. You just have to watch them ALL THE TIME and they are in to EVERYTHING. Its very intense (but also heaps of fun). I am finding as he gets older he can occupy himself a bit better (he just discovered telly- great for a 20 minute break to get dinner ready), and he can communicate better and life is just generally a bit easier in a lot of small ways (eg- I don't have to cut up a sandwich into a million pieces, he can walk from the car to the front door so I don't need to carry him etc).

I think I found this all a bit of a shock because I wasn't really prepared for it. Just know its a phase, and you will get through it, and there is a LOT to enjoy along the way. I too dreaded toddlerhood, but so far its much more fun than anything else. Toddlers really are funny little creatures who make you laugh everyday.

[ElleJay]

Hun, your definitely not alone

I'm TERRIFIED of the toddler years, mainly because I know I'm going to submit to whatever he wants -=- and I'm worrying now and DS is only (almost) 4 months!

[Curly]

I actually prefer the toddler years to the baby years...

[Spring Angel]

I was the same but TBH the toddler years have been great so far and DS us 2.5. He makes me smile and laugh every day with the gorgeous things that come out of his mouth. He is so affectionate, loving and basically just heaps of fun. He doesn't really have tantrums, he has great language skills so most of the time he tells me what's bothering him.

The world through a toddlers eyes is an amazing magical place.


Spring xx

[*Infinity*]

Sterla I'm crapping my dacks about toddlerhood with DS too - especially seeing I'll be dealing with him and a new little bub

But this thread has really reassured me too. I can't wait for that talkative, affectionate & communicative side to come out as DS grows. I think he's going to be a real little character and I can't wait to have all that fun with him.

I'm trying to focus on the positives.

[~Trish~]

Toddlers are great fun! It's so awesome watching them turn into little people . Neither of my boys have been big tantrum throwers. If they ever did/do throw one it is usually because they are tired, hungry or teething. I just ignore the tantrums and they end pretty quickly LOL!

A whole new world opens up once they become toddlers, they learn to talk with you, play with you, cuddle you. They are independent and you can go out and do a lot more than you could when they were babies.

The transition is so unnoticeable too, so you cope just fine. It's not like they wake up one day as a toddler that you know nothing about! You learn along with them

[Spring Angel]

I also wanted to mention that DS is such a great little helper. He loved helping me with jobs. He fetches things, helps with gathering up clothes fir the laundry, puts away toys, gets his own plate/cup and he has recently started helping with the dishes. He loves helping and it so useful to me.