Funny Guide to Toddler Behavior

on April 8, 2009 at 5:08 PM

Photo by Veela

momof3inTN wrote a 20-item list in Journals on everything that a mom of a baby headed into toddlerhood should know. For me, #11 and #14 are right on!

Here's part of the list:

1. Counters are heaven and the drawers are the stairway to heaven. This goes double if there is a cookie jar in plain sight on said counter.

2. Electronic devices that are small and easily carried (cell phone, iPod, MP3 player, etc) will be deposited in the toilet if not carefully locked up and guarded.

3. Your checkbook is now a coloring book.

4. The locksmith will become your new best friend and the person who works the Lowe's key-making machine will know you by your first name.

5. A simple one mile trip to the grocery store will result in pulling the car over at least three times to put the child back in the car seat (no matter how tight the straps are, a toddler is a contortionist and Houdini all rolled into one tiny little body).

See the rest of her list in The Guide to Toddlers in Journals.

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: activities, discipline, play

Comments (7)

RanaAurora

on Apr 8, 2009 at 8:21 PM

Some of those, as funny as it sounds, really just have to do with parenting: Keeping things out of reach of little ones, and teaching bigger ones what is and isn't okay.

Your child, if secured RIGHT in the carseat, absolutely 100% cannot get out unless they can undo clips.

#16 made me chuckle. My kiddo had the skill to remove the diaper WITHOUT removing clothing. Then if he hid the diaper in the right places, we wouldn't know until we picked him up or he peed/pooped.

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s.teph

on Apr 8, 2009 at 10:11 PM

This is like the story of my life lol.

pixxydust

on Apr 8, 2009 at 10:18 PM

APPERENTLY THIS PERSON HAS NEVER MET A CHILD WITH TAR SYNDROME. they can get out of anything. no matter what

RanaAurora Apr. 8, 2009 at 8:21 PM

on Apr 8, 2009 at 10:39 PM

pixxydust, obviously my comment was about general children... not a rare disorder where the child is missing BONES.

momof3inTN

on Apr 9, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Wow! Thanks Cafe Cynthia. I'm now on my 3rd toddler. It is an exciting life and sometimes you just have to laugh.

RanaAurora, about the car seats, ours are properly installed and checked by a local fire department (they have a program to check that you are installing the car seat properly and strapping the child in properly, we went when my younger two were smaller). This one was based on my middle child. We were very concerned and had it checked. We were strapping him in properly but he was taking the clip that goes across the upper chest and pulling it down and then wiggling his arm out of the strap. The fireman checked the installation and how we were strapping him in and assured us we were doing it properly but he also said that some children can manuever and wiggle out, it is not unusual and they have seen it before. This phase only lasted about a month before my son finally gave up, we just took extra precaution (lessened our driving around time, and reminding him that while he might not like it, the car seat is to keep him safe).

NorahSethsMommy

on Apr 9, 2009 at 12:48 PM

Love this! And for the record...our cars seats are proeprly installed and fire department checked and both my kids can get the straps undone! They typically don't do it (at least not after the fit I threw the first time) until the car is stopped, but they can.

madamekatekate

on Apr 9, 2009 at 1:58 PM

#5 also points to the fact that even small trips turn into larger than life debacles in one way or another, not just the car seat example that was used.