Parenting

Am I not a toddler anymore?

Oscar aged 315 Mar 2009 20:39:48
It's true.. suddenly Oscar is 3 1/2, and there are many indications that he is now a little boy, and not a toddler anymore.

However, the tantrums are still there! But they are different. Now its all about wanting to be in the lead, to be the winner, to assert himself and be a "big boy now".

I have found 3 to be a magical age, yet one fraught with frustrations for the child - they seem to become so aware of the world around them so quickly, and at the same time become fearful in their own ways.

Suddenly darkness brings spiders, bears, ghosts - all the fairy tales start to come to life, and yet they are too young to rationalise their thoughts.

I have found that separation anxiety can kick in at a different level at this age, suddenly there is a fear of where mummy or daddy is going, how long for, how far away they will be. They want to understand why and what you are doing so much more.

The thing is, everything is always a phase. Once you have mastered one anxiety, fear, issue, it magically disappears, and the next level of growing pains starts to materialise!

You see, the time goes so fast. The most important thing is to enjoy every day, take photos, shoot videos, write down anecdotes, words they use.. soon they will be up and away and not a child anymore.