Dealing with the 'Terrible Twos'

They warn you when you are thinking of having children, they re-warn you when your pregnant with your child, and then again around their first birthday........they always say 'just wait til they hit those terrible twos'. I sure hope you all listened, because I think I missed that day in class. 


Jonny has been doing his power struggle recently.  I understand he needs to establish his independence, but it makes it so frustrating when I still want him to be my good behaved little boy.  He truly thinks he is the boss, its been very tough for mommy and daddy to keep the balance that we and the babysitter are his boss, and he is to do as told. 

I've been doing some reading on tips that I am going to implement at our house, hopefully they will work out, it will take lots of work for me, because I'm a sucker for Jonny's pout and 'mommy i love you'.

* Provide your toddler with a safe environment that is well childproofed to explore and play in. It really isn't fair that your toddler should get in trouble for playing with something he isn't supposed to if you left it within reach. (source)

* Be clear about setting limits and don't give in to his temper tantrums when he sets out to test these limits. That doesn't help your child at all!! (source)

* When speaking to a toddler that is having a temper tantrum, try to be calm and keep your voice at a normal level. Raising your voice a little bit is ok but refrain from screaming and yelling back at the toddler. (source)

* Another thing to try is the time out chair. Putting a child in a time out chair can be started anywhere from about 18 months old and up. Starting it early on helps them learn what it all means. At first the time out doesn't have to be long, only a few seconds or as long as the toddler will sit in the chair. As time goes on and more time outs are given, longer periods of sitting should be given. The more they are repeatedly put in time out for doing something, the more they will learn that it is something they should not be doing. It may take time and many time outs before a toddler gets the idea but they do get the idea in the long run. (source)


Just remember, all parents raise their children differently, and all children are different. Just find the techniques that work best for you and your toddler. Also for the best advice, ask the ones that raised you! They will surely be able to pass on some great advice that will help.

Pumpkin Carving for Halloween!

Jonny got to help this year with pumpkin carving. It was a very fun and exciting experience! Here are some tips for other parents who are having their toddler's help them with pumpkin carving.

Pumpkin Carving
* Let your toddler pick out his own pumpkin, gives them the sense of ownership.
* Set up a large area for you and your toddler to begin carving, also helpful to use newspaper or trashbags under your pumpkin, to help lessen the mess.
* Cut your hole on the top of the pumpkin, pull off. The let your toddler go hands first to get all the goop and seeds out of the pumpkin, help if and when needed.
* Once the pumpkin is empty, get a magic marker to draw your face design before you cut into it.
* Ask your toddler to help you, let them say yes or no to the facial ideals.

* After drawing on the face, have your toddler watch as you cut the face out, be sure to tell them that only mommy &/or daddy is allowed to use the knifes to cut the face.

Once it is all finished, set a candle or cordless light in the pumpkin and let your child get his picture next to it! It doesn't have to be perfect, just remember your toddler will remember just the time you two were able to spend together, not the fact you can't carve a pumpkin well or not.

Jonny with his pumpkin October 2010

Jonny is Now 2 Years Old!

On October 10th, Jonny turned 2! We started off our morning lying in bed watching Spongebob, then headed downstairs for some breakfast.  After getting little man his shower, daddy and mommy took Jonny to the store to pick out something for his birthday.  Before even getting there, we saw one of daddy's friends that was heading out with his racecar......and guess what! Jonny got to sit in the drivers seat and pretend he was driving......boy did he love it!

After heading to the store, we started to get ready for the party. Even though he only turned 2, we chose to take him to Chuck E. Cheese.  Friends and family were all coming to help celebrate his birthday! Playtime was great, Jonny loved all the games that he was able to do. Everyone that played games gave their tickets to Jonny for whatever toys he could win with the tickets.


When it became time for the Birthday Show, Jonny wasn't a very happy camper. For starters, he had to stop playing the games, which mommy figured would happen, but what we didn't think would happen, was little ole' Jonny was just terrified of Chuck E. Cheese himself! He wanted nothing to do with the mouse at all. Poor guy screamed, cried and did everything he could to get away from him.

Mommy holding a scared Jonny at Chuck E. Cheese.

Overall, Jonny had a very good birthday! Thanks to friends and family for coming out and spending time and playing with him, and the great gifts he recieved. Mommy and daddy still can't believe that two years have already passed us by, it seems like yesterday we were in the hospital looking at this tiny little boy who we just welcomed into the world. 

Cherish each moment with your children, for they grow up way to fast.