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Development FAQ: 24+ months – Entertaining and Educating your Toddler
I am expecting my second baby in six weeks time. My older son, Fred, is two and a half, and has been attending nursery since September. We have talked to him about the baby constantly, but he never shows much interest, and I am concerned about how he will react when the baby arrives. He has been the centre of our universe since he was born, and while in every respect he is a contented little chap, I do worry that he doesn’t cope well with change. For instance, he loves nursery now, but it did take three to four weeks for him to settle down. Having a second baby…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year
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Development FAQ: 24+ months – The Social Toddler
My 2-year-old daughter is very clingy. When we go to friend’s houses she’ll sit on my lap the whole time, while the other children her age play. (I don’t try and force her to integrate as I feel that could be damaging). I dread to think how she’s going to react if I try and leave her in the crèche that she’s booked into for our ski holiday in January next year. I also worry that it will be very hard for her when she starts nursery school, or if a new baby arrives. Naturally, her dependence on me leads me feeling hopelessly guilty (about returning to work, or leaving…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year
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Development FAQ: 24+ months – The Social Toddler
My daughter is three years and eight months. She is very shy and hides behind my legs even if we meet someone we know in the street. I try to get her to speak to them but she refuses. I feel really angry and ashamed when she does this and a really bad mother. Why can’t she be like other children her age? Have I done something wrong and if so how can I help her now? First of all let me reassure you that you have done nothing wrong and you are not a bad parent. Your anger and shame are understandable because it is normal to want our…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year
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Development FAQ: 24+ months – Tantrums
I have started having a problem with my 26 month old regarding tantrums. I have recently had a baby and she has been totally fine with it. The problem seems to be with her daddy. She doesn’t see her daddy at all during the week and so he trys to make weekends really special. The problem I have is that if I try and get her to do anything she doesn’t want to do, she has a major tantrum and clings to her daddy. This morning she didn’t want to leave a restaurant we were having breakfast in as she wanted a cup of tea (her daddy had already given…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year
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Development FAQ: 24+ months – Tantrums
My daughter, who is nearly three is having an increasing number of tantrums, especially in the morning. Just getting her dressed and encouraging her to eat her breakfast is proving challenging. I the morning I need to drop her at her nursery in good time for me to get to work. How do I deal with this behaviour? Your daughter’s behaviour is quite common for a child of almost three. In the morning, she has just woken up from a long, deep sleep and needs a little time to adjust to the start of a busy day. We often emphasise the need for a good bedtime routine. It is equally…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year
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Development FAQ: 24+ months – Sibling Rivalry
My toddler son of 2.5yrs is jealous of his baby sister. We have a two-and-a-half-year-old boy, and a nine-month-old baby girl. From about two weeks after the baby was born, our little boy has been desperately jealous and won’t allow me to pay any attention to the baby. It’s becoming a real problem and I’m very worried about it. Do you have any advice? Your son has to realise that his behaviour towards his sister is unacceptable. He needs to know that every time he hurts her, takes her toys away or will not allow her time with you, you will respond by removing him from the room and take…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year
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Development FAQ: 24+ months – Sibling Rivalry
My two daughters were born 18 months apart. The youngest has just had her first birthday. Over the past few months I have become increasingly irritated and concerned about our eldest daughter’s rough behaviour to her sister. She still seems unable to see the advantage of having a sister close to her in age even though her sister is now walking and less of a baby. I seem to tell my eldest daughter off constantly but she still continues to behave badly. On a daily basis she hits or is rough in other ways towards her sister and is constantly taking her toys away. I know I need to be…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year
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Development FAQ: 24+ months – Sibling Rivalry
My son of 26 months seems to have adapted to the birth of his brother two months ago. We have involved him as much as possible in caring for the baby, which he enjoys, but sometimes his caring nature is rather over enthusiastic. His gentle stroking has become rougher and showing toys to the baby has begun to involve forcing them into his hand. I am trying to stay positive and suggest ways for him to play with the baby without saying, “No, don’t hurt him” too often. I am afraid he will begin to resent his brother. What is the best approach to this problem? Now that the excitement…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year
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Development FAQ: 24+ months – Behaviour
How do I stop toy throwing? My son is two and he is becoming a real terror. He throws his toys and anything else in reach down the stairs (over the gate). I’ve tried a whole variety of tactics – being nice, telling him off firmly, smacking his hand, shouting, confiscating the toys, and even ignoring him. But he’s completely unmoved. In fact, he laughs. The problem is, he’s causing real damage. I think the problem is attention-seeking, as it seems to happen when I’m going to the toilet or getting dressed, but how do I stop it? There are two simple ways to solve this problem. First, allocate a…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year
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Development FAQ: 24+ months – Behaviour
Dealing with a sensitive child. What is the best approach to have with my two and half year old? My two-and-a-half year old daughter has always been a very emotional and sensitive child. She bursts into tears for the slightest reason. For instance, if she can’t find the right piece for the jigsaw, she falls over or someone speaks sharply, she gets hysterical unless she is picked up and cuddled. My husband and I are having major rows over how to deal with this. I feel we have to toughen her up a bit before she starts nursery at three years old, but my husband disagrees and says that it…
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Guide to sleep required during the first year