Toddler Talk – Feburary 2011

 We’re up to 29 months of age – almost 2 1/2 years old.  Already. Technically, 29 months officially happens next Monday, but I’ll have some lengthy race report to post then so I’m getting a head start here. 

Responding to the Untold.  Last month, I mentioned the pre-emptive backtalk.  This is when he would follow up a hairbrained toddler idea with the response he knows he will get from Mom and/or Dad.  It’s dark outside (Let’s go walk at 7pm).  Don’t do that Remy (Could be anything).  Lately, he’s taken to skipping the part where he states his desire and jumps straight to the retort.  For example, he eyes my drinking glass and says “You might break it.”  I respond with a sideways glance while I move the glass well out of reach confirming that “yes, whatever it is you were planning on doing with Mommy’s glass would probably break it.” 

Potty Training Update.  I am happy to report we are now successfully pooping in the potty AND notifying Mom and/or Dad in advance.  Major breakthrough.  Hooray!  We still put on pullup’s for overnight just in case, but I’m pretty sure most nights this isn’t required. 

Growth Spurts.  We’ve got us a tall kiddo.  Last we checked, we weighed about 33 lbs and 37.5 inches tall (90th percentile).  34 lbs is 90th percentile, so he’s slimmed down quite a bit. 

Still Nursing.  Remy still wants to and I have no particular reason to stop.  However, I think he’s been getting frustrated with what might be a lessened flow.  There’s been a lot of “Want other boob!  Pweez!”  Switch.  “Want other boob again!”  Remy ask nicely!  “Pweez!!”   Every short period of time.  When I get this pattern, I start offering other foods and drinks.  I have a feeling that this may be the beginning of the end.  However long that might take.

Doing Things Himself.  We try to let him learn self-sufficiency as much as possible.  It’s good for his development and self esteem.  Also, it prevents needless meltdowns.  We let him do things like (closely supervised) pour his own chocolate milk and juice, squeeze ketchup onto his plate, help Mommy hang up her clean clothes, etc.  Sometimes it takes longer with his assistance, but it’s worth it.  It’s a matter of having a child glowing with pride vs. a toddler shedding loud tears in a squirming heap on the floor.  Easy choice.

Articulating His Desires.  We’ve begun to push Remy to be more clear about what he wants.  How we do this is by reminding him firmly yet lovingly when he’s upset and we don’t know what he wants that he needs to let us know so we can help.  Over time, he’s become more and more clear about his desires.  For example, pulling on Mommy’s arm in the direction of the stairs ”Remy want Mommy up-tairs to play and read books.”  Ask nicely!  “Pweez!”  Or, sometimes, but Mommy wants to…(insert something else)…followed by a more strident plea that “Mommy needs go up-tairs!  Pweez!  (pause for effect) Pweez!”

The Beginnings of Story Telling.  We’re seeing the first inklings of Remy creating imaginary scenarios.  Previously, his focus has been describing and comparing what he sees.  i.e., All the cars are in a line.  Here is the white jeep.  And green jeep is in front of white jeep.  Etc.  Now, we’re hearing about actions that observed objects could hypothetically take, such as ummmm, oh well I can’t think of anything right now.  I’ll update this when I have a  good example.

Parenting Books.  A friend turned me on to H. Stephen Glenn’s materials, so I’ve checked out some books listed under his Participant Training Materials.  One can’t beat the price at the local library!  So far we’re reading Between Parent & Child by Dr. Haim Ginott and Raising a Self-Reliant Child in a Self-Indulgent World by H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelson.  Both are great.  We also have Positive Discipline for a Pre-Schooler by Jane Nelson, Cheryl Erwin & Roslyn Ann Duffy in the queue.

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