What to Expect from A Toddler

Nathan has been transitioning to his new Toddler room these past couple of weeks. Today he will be taking his nap in the new room for the first time... on a cot. When he started his transition, they gave us a bunch of papers about life in the Toddler room. One of those papers is called "What to Expect from a Toddler". Here are a few gems from there:

1. They like to "taste" everything.
2. They prefer activity and have a high energy level. (you're telling me)
3. They oppose authority in their struggle with autonomy. (ah... the similarties between my child and a struggling nation in the middle east .. the resemblence is remarkable)
4. They practice decision making, but frequently change their minds. (see above)
5. DON'T RUSH THEM! (that's the way it was written, all in caps)
6. They love repition, which teaches them mastery. (Climb in the laundry basket, sit down, climb out of the laundry basket, repeat ad nauseam)
7. They vary between secure/insecure and dependent/independent. (hold me... what the hell are you doing, let me GO!!!!)
8. They are still egocentric.
9. They have difficulty waiting.
10. They test limits REPEATEDLY. (understatement of the year)
11. They have a low frustration level.
12. They like to dump and throw things (ah.. this must be the reason for legos all over the floor)
13. They love to climb. (hence yesterday's heat register post)
14. They will not be successfully toilet trained until they decide they are ready.
And my personal favorite.....

THEY SOMETIMES SPONTANEOUSLY SCREAM ALOUD

I want to be able to spontaneously scream aloud. Maybe I should practice that more in my life. Sounds like fun doesn't it.

So if you ever wanted to know what life with a toddler is like the above list is a pretty good description of all the things Nathan goes through every day. And if you are going through these things with your own toddler, realize it is normal and take comfort in the fact that millions of other parents are dealing with the same issues.