Is this normal toddler behaviour?

**LoveKnowsNoBounds** · March 5th, 2013, 01:11 PM

Hello,

My DD is 16 months old. She can be very clingy and difficult, especially while I'm cooking. She clings to my legs and sometimes tries to stick her head in between my legs. I'd mentioned this to someone and they looked worried, which has now made me worry! She is shy with strangers also. Other times she is ok, she watches tv and potters around.

Thanks

**LoveKnowsNoBounds** · March 5th, 2013, 01:13 PM

Forgot to add, lots of screeching and screaming at the moment as well!

**Santosha** · March 5th, 2013, 01:18 PM

Sounds exhaustingly normal to me!

Cooking is tough. I find if I let them 'help', they're often happy for a while. So on the floor or in the high chair next to me I give a small pot, a wooden spoon, the carrot-peelings and veg off-cuts and encourage DS to mix and stir. DD is older and has been participating in the actual cooking since a bit over 2 - chaotic but great fun!

I also sometimes resort to cooking with DS in the ergo on my back if he's being clingy.

As for screeching and screaming... yep. Normal. We get a whole lot of that too. Particularly (it seems!) when really early in the morning or late in the afternoon and I'm feeling a bit sensitive to loud noise, they both seem to really crank up the volume!

**Liviam** · March 5th, 2013, 01:21 PM

DS2 is doing all those same things at the moment. Seems like completely normal behaviour to us.

**Eenee** · March 5th, 2013, 01:33 PM

DD still does this, if its not normal than she must be abnormal too

**Jaycee** · March 5th, 2013, 01:44 PM

Sounds completely normal to me! I found between the ages of around 8 months to 18 months to be the most difficult in terms of trying to get things done around the house, trying to involve them definitely helps!

**Nai** · March 5th, 2013, 02:03 PM

Totally normal!

**LizLemon** · March 5th, 2013, 02:17 PM

Completely normal! A tough age because they are developing opinions and wants etc but don't know how to vocalise it

**MrsFabuloso** · March 5th, 2013, 02:18 PM

Yep, all 3 of mine have done this. That's why I got a kiddy gate for the kitchen. So I could safely cook, and they couldn't get under my feet.

**onthefly** · March 5th, 2013, 02:51 PM

Yes, it's very normal.
If there's a safe spot, would she be happy to sit on the bench nearby to watch you? I often give my kids stuff to play cooking with on the floor. They make a bit of mess, but it keeps them happy. As they get older, they can help, also.
This is a carrot my son helped me peel... 557700_10150937896777602_194100341_n.jpg
Having them up on your back is another thing that can help, too. Bit safer than tripping over them

**bubno.3** · March 5th, 2013, 03:19 PM

Hello,

My DD is 16 months old. She can be very clingy and difficult, especially while I'm cooking. She clings to my legs and sometimes tries to stick her head in between my legs. I'd mentioned this to someone and they looked worried, which has now made me worry! She is shy with strangers also. Other times she is ok, she watches tv and potters around.

Thanks

I would be worried for the person that looked worried....has that person got any kids? Some people have me baffled !!

I did what another did place the child infront of tv or near me in highchair so it is safer and you know where they are....

**~~Snoogans~~** · March 5th, 2013, 03:22 PM

I have 2 words that are my saviour for cooking time!

Peppa Pig!

**wysiwyg** · March 5th, 2013, 03:54 PM

Yes peppa pig is saviour at cooking time here too. As a kid I remember TV time being 4:30 5:00 ish so have stuck to this with mine and do tea then when not working.

**chody47** · March 5th, 2013, 04:06 PM

Well my DD must have been abnormal too...

**LoveKnowsNoBounds** · March 5th, 2013, 09:09 PM

Oh thanks so much ladies! When I said she stuck her head between my legs the look on my psychologists face was one of real concern. I don't know if she has kids. DS never did that but did countless other annoying habits so I just wanted to check. Thanks again

**Santosha** · March 6th, 2013, 05:31 AM

A psychologist really should have better control of her facial expressions.... but then, maybe it was a reflection of something else, like "that must be really annoying", which is certainly how I find the head-between-the-legs trick!

The good thing about it being your psychologist, is that you can ask! It's a really healthy part of therapy to note how her reactions affect you and your reflection on this is far more welcome than in typical relationships. Do you think you could let her know how her response affected you?