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Toddler
Time into the Terrific Twos:
Nine
Tips for Maintaining Your Sanity
by Joanne Baum,
PhD
The Parenting
Maven
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You no longer are operating in
that sleep deprived state. You rarely have spit up on your clothes.
You’ve got the diaper thing down pat, and now your child
is beginning to voice his or her concerns, desires, needs, and
wants with actual words, sometimes more forcefully than others.
You have patience, but it only goes so far, and you’re occasionally
wishing there was a button to push and mum your child for a few
minutes of quiet time ….Down time? Do you remember that?
When you could sit on the deck and read for a few hours without
interruption… where going on a date with your spouse was
not a major financial investment… when babysitters were
not even on your radar screen… when skiing was something
you did spontaneously…and when this wonderful small human
being was not even in your life and you saw parenting as an adventure
you were going to embark on as a lovely image in slow motion
with a pink haze filter of love looking so alluring.
Now your life is more of a fast
paced jumble with you at the center playing juggler with too
few arms and hands….Who knew? Not to worry – all new
parents are in the same position, loving most of it and wondering,
at times, how long is 18 years or what did I get myself into….
Nine Tips for the Juggler
Parent of a Toddler or Terrific Two Year Old
1. Remember to slow down, watch
your child carefully, and be in awe of and in awe with your child,
all he is learning and all she is experiencing. Let your child
re-introduce you to the world of child time, filled with wonder
and awe.
2. Respect your child’s
individuality. Watch how your child copes. Marvel at his ingenuity,
enjoy her creativity. See how your child manipulates through
a day. It’s all still new and challenging to you and your
child.
3. Appreciate your child’s
moods. Appreciate your child’s efforts to interact with
the world around him. Understand your child’s challenges
and frustrations, and avoid some of them.
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