At some point, every cooing infant transforms into an adventurous toddler. This can be a scary period for child and parent alike. Fear not! A little preparation goes a long way toward helping you enjoy this stage in your child’s life. There are some incidents that you will more than likely experience while raising toddlers into children. You may want to pull your hair out or go crazy, but they are all learning and growing experience and it’s just all part of the adventure we call parenting.

Toddler Tantrums

Your child is beginning to know what she wants, but she may not have the words to express those desires to you. Practice calming routines with your child, such as taking a deep breath or counting to four. Then explain to your child what you do understand. “Daddy can see that you are hungry. Do you need help peeling this banana?” Sometimes the tantrums may get out of hand or your child just wants attention. In those cases it is often best to completely ignore the child, as long as they are safe, until they calm down. This will help them realize that screaming and kicking won’t give them what they want. 

Say What?

Your child may latch on to gossip and colorful words he hears you say and repeat them at the next opportunity. Try not to say anything in front of your child you don’t want repeated in public. If he says something embarrassing, a gentle reminder about being polite is more effective than an overreaction. Before you get mad at your child for saying a certain word or phrase, just remember that he probably heard it from you or another family member. A gentle reminder to the entire family about watching what they say may be the answer in this situation.

Potty-time Pranks

No childhood is complete without a toy or an entire roll of tissue paper getting flushed down the toilet. Be careful that you don’t make the problem worse if you’re not sure how to fix the damage. A call to someone with plenty of experience plumbing in Oakville, such as Plugged Piper Drain Service, will ensure your pipes recover from your toddler’s assault. Usually a plumber can fix your clogged drain easily. This will be a reminder that you need to accompany your tots to the bathroom until they learn what is an isn’t acceptable during bathroom breaks. 

Adventures in Redecorating

There’s something irresistible about expansive, blank walls to a toddler with a crayon. Fortunately, whatever the surface and medium your little artist prefers, there are handy lists available online to tell you which household cleaner is the most effective at removing the bright colors and returning the wall to its former blandness. Equipping your pint-sized Picasso with washable markers may help reduce the risk of permanent damage. Also keep plenty of paper or coloring books within reach. Believe it or not, pens can generally be removed from walls with a can of hair spray. And remember, if you can’t get it off, it’s nothing a fresh coat of pain won’t cover up. 

Accidents Happen

Some toddlers are destined to be on a first-name basis with the local medical staff. Take care to prevent common accidents that have the worst consequences. Secure your furniture and electronics to prevent tipping, never leave your child unsupervised near water, and always use your car seat correctly. When accidents do happen, your demeanor will go a long way toward keeping your child calm and cooperative with medical personnel. Save your panic for later when your child isn’t watching.

This experimental and adventurous stage is a normal part of your child’s development. It comes with some inevitable challenges, but try to keep your sense of humor and enjoy watching your little genius blossom. Remember, every incident provides a learning experience for both you and your toddler!