She
can’t let me finish a task in peace.
If
I want to wash dishes, she is right there demanding to help, if I don’t let
her, she throws a myriad of tantrums.
She
fights a lot too. There can’t be an hour of play without several cries. She
makes sure she gets what she wants and laughs like a hero when she does.
I
am in several motherhood forums and I can tell you for a fact this is one of
the most discussed topics in every single one of them. Recently, a mother
posted a photo of her child all covered with nail polish. She had climbed up
her dressing table, opened all the bottles she could and applied anything and
everything to her whole body. I cannot begin to imagine the mother’s first
reaction.
This
will happen if it hasn’t happened yet. Some kids start being extremely
adventurous even at the age of one. Some are naturally quiet and organised and
are not too harmful but between the age of one and three, any mother should
expect discovery drama.
This
is the most interesting stage of growth. Just be patient, it will end.
The
scary falls are now accompanied by scary climbs and squeaks. It’s almost like
you have a little monkey in the house. The funny thing is that most kids are
unstoppable. It’s like they’ve eaten raw sugar or liters of ice cream. The
sugar levels are normally over the roof.
In
the kids mind, every little discovery is fun, it’s hilarious and they've got to
do it. In the mothers mind, almost everything is dangerous. I tell you the
truth, you will say STOP!! Until you sigh.
My
advice to mothers is, take it easy, and cut yourself some slack. It’s not as
bad as it seems; at least not always.
Do
not result to cursing and yelling all the time. Restrain yourself from calling
your baby names and hitting or pinching them every time drama happens. Keep in
mind that this is a learning process for your child.
They
are learning courage, they are learning to choose, it’s an experimental stage.
Whereas I don’t encourage you to be all care free, don’t be overprotective
either. Sometimes your attempt to control them will even result in repeat
actions because whatever they are doing is fetching them your attention.
Keep
a roving eye to ensure damages and by damages I mean injuries and breakages are
minimised. The child who hardly gets attention or feels their emotional needs
are not being met, demands more. Mostly, by throwing tantrums; faking pains and
falls and injuries. You don’t need to be vexed by such. Though it’s not always
interesting, try practising patience on your child.
I
read from a certain book that all of us are born with a love tank. That love
tank craves to be filled and we express it differently to different people
depending on the way we relate to them.
If
you are a working mother, this can help. The minute you get home, go with your
baby to a separate room; put away all distractions, your phone, laptop, TV...
Put them away and spare at least fifteen minutes for your child. You may need
more depending on how much they missed you.
Toddlers
are amazing creatures. Apart from discovering new stuff, they also do weird,
crazy and sometimes very annoying things. The other day, the little one poured
her food in the loo. Can you believe that? Who knows what she was thinking.
We
were having dinner and feeding her at the same time. Her food was a little
different but it was equally yummy but it seems she didn’t share those
feelings. She actually walked so quietly I thought she was pooping; she had
attempted pooping in a cooking pan earlier.
To
my shock, she came back giggling with an empty plate.
How
do you tame them?
Well,
there’s no particular way but you can try this:-
1.
Give them attention: - it’s what they are looking for.
2.
Join them in their play; building blocks, painting or
watching cartoons.
3.
Encourage them to talk, they will blubber all day long but
they'll know you were interested.
4.
Avoid punishing all the time. Applaud more. They are likely
to keep doing what gets your attention.
5.
Enjoy the sweet part of the drama. It’s part of life.
I'm sure there are mothers here who are managing this successfully. Others are barely surviving. How are you doing it? Share with us in the comments section.
