8 Truths about Raising a Toddler: A First-Timer’s Field Guide

Cute, you say. Wait till he starts running around the house.

Terrible twos — as much as we all think we can do better than let this happen, it just does. And it starts earlier than you think. The toddler phase is one of the most crucial stages of your kid’s life. It’s also one of those that put your patience to the test (just think of it as a preparatory course for puberty), not knowing what they need/want just basing on body language alone.

Good news, though — you’re not alone. We all get to a point when we just want to scream at them (but, don’t), cute little rolls of fat and energy that they are. Here are 8 truths to brace yourself for.

8. They get bored easily.

Or, you know, they lose interest pretty fast.

Pay attention to the activities and toys that you give them. To keep them interested, you can change toys often, and give them activities that escalate in difficulty. It would also help to keep introducing new age-appropriate shows as they grow. And, word of caution: with shows and toys, introduce new things but always keep their favorites in hand.

7. Everything around them is a potential teething toy

His feet, pillow, bib, fingers, crib, stroller, your shoulder, your chin, or basically anything within mouth’s reach becomes too irresistible to bite or nibble. It is an oral stage, after all. Their mouth is their main avenue for exploring the world around them, your face included.

The obvious thing to say would be always make sure that everything is clean and safe (i.e. don’t give them sharp objects), but it would also probably help to say that you shouldn’t be too worried and keep saying “no, stop! That’s dirty!”

6. They’re really good at throwing things

It’s around this age that they learn to control their fingers to let go of things, that and they discover gravity, or the fact that things go down and stay down when you throw them. Just imagine how enjoyable this activity must be for them! Yes, try to think about that while you’re picking toys, random objects and pieces of food up from the floor.

It can be a lot of work cleaning up after a throw-y toddler, but instead of punishing them, distract yourself by paying attention to what they throw and where they throw them instead — make it a game, and an organized one at that.

Pro tip: if you pay attention to them throwing something (at you or other people), they’ll most likely do it again (and again). So, if you want to discourage them from getting too aggressive, the best (also hardest) thing to do is to ignore.

5. When they’re quiet, they’re probably up to something

When your little one is quiet in their play pen that only means one thing: they are doing something and you won’t like it.

The photo above is a little tame. It doesn’t really illustrate the scenario. You’ll know what we mean soon enough.

4. They are always curious

They’re always curious about everything. Whether it’s something a person is wearing, or things that are colorful and moving. They always have that curious look on their face (that face). Introduce them to new things to help them explore.

3. They also have odd straight-faced moments

You may be wondering why they are just staring at something for a period of time when you are in a new place with new people. They don’t usually say hi and may hide or become more clingy. Just let them be, sometimes, they just pooped, and they just don’t know how to say how gooey their behind is.

2. They will bite (and nibble)

Nibbling, biting, and licking are their ways to say they love you. The more they bite, the more they feel they love you because they feel you love them. Remember that this one’s an oral-fixated phase. They express their cute little selves more using their mouth. Yep, love hurts.

1. There’s nothing more powerful than that smile

Your little one may not know it yet, but their smile is the single most powerful thing in all of creation. It has the power to make things happen (e.g. make a bad day at work go away, diffuse a tense moment between the adults, and of course make you do whatever they want you to). You just have to live with it every single day. Oh and be careful of the giggle, that one’s dangerous.

Do you have any more suggestions? Share them with us below!

Photos courtesy of PJ Julia.