Ever get the feeling your kid sees you as a liability? It makes sense for teenagers. It’s what everyone expects from them. They’re suddenly more self-conscious than they’ve ever been in their little lives and feel the need to doggedly guard their new found reputations with their mates. They start getting their own tastes in music, films and dress-sense, and see these things as a way to tell the world who they are.
What you don’t expect as a first time parent of a smaller person is that there’s a similar leap for the little people between 1 and 2. Here are some things I’ve spotted that hail that new stage in a little troll’s navigation into social awkwardness and need to prop up their new found reputation.
1 – Needing to keep their image up
Little Bear’s becoming image conscious. When the phone comes out to take a picture, is tiny cherub smile quickly changes to a scowl that Mr T or the Rock would be proud of. ‘You not catching me with a goophy smile Pappa. Just think what that’ll do for my reputation at nursery! I’ve seen them put those pictures of me up on the wall’ So keen on his ‘cool’ picture face is he, that after the snap is finished, his little beam quickly comes back and he runs over to look at just how awesome he looks in his new photo. So now I just have dozens of pictures of him scowling, which makes this part of his childhood look much more miserable than it really is. 2 – Gotta act cool around the other kids When out and about, half the time Little Bear insists on being carried. But what happens if there’re babies he recognises around? He insists on walking, because he doesn’t want to be embarrassed in front of his mates. Everyone knows being carried isn’t cool. How should you go down a slide? Little Bear spots the cool kids going down face first on their bellies, so of course that’s what he’s got to do (regardless of terror inflicted on his parent as he shoots down the slide at lightning speed face first). 3 – Thinking everyone’s looking at them Little Bear has noticed the other kids. He’s noticed them for a while now, but now they’re no longer just there to steal toys from (or to try and steal your toys). They’re there to play with. In the past few months there’s been a big switch. If another little troll is around, Little Bear will quickly lose interest in us and start running around his new friend. 4 – Not a baby anymore (in front of other toddlers) Milk is still by far his favourite… everything. Snack, drink, meal and even toy (when he squirts it on the floor). Why then will he only drink it when he’s around me. At home he still hyperventilates in excitement the moment the fridge door opens and he sees the blue top. He still snuggles up into my arm when holding his milk as if he was a newborn. Except, whilst in his head he hasn’t changed, in reality he’s 3 times as long and 4 times as heavy. At nursery though, he wont touch it. I can only conclude that milk isn’t cool in nursery. ‘No way, I’m way too cool for that 12 month old drink. Only babies like Sid here drink milk. What, a, loser.’ So from insisting on around half a liter a day with me, he drinks no milk at all at nursery because he’s around the other toddlers. 5 – Developing his own dress-sense Pappa thinks that because it’s getting cold now, Little Bear should wear several layers. But then he wouldn’t get to show off his cool red hoodie. Wearing boots outside to jump in puddles? Little Bear thinks socks would work way better with his stripy trousers. Cue finger wagging and angry protests at any attempt to correct his choice of attire. 6 – Rebelling against his parents Suddenly the delicious balanced diet Little Bear is served at dinner isn’t good enough. Little Bear can go for a week at a time refusing all food stuffs for his evening meal except bread and hummus. If that’s not difficult enough, he’ll refuse to sit in the high-chair or even on our laps. For him, only his own grown-up seat at the dinner table will do, despite the fact that his plate of bread is now above eye level for him. We’re still getting those nursery reports claiming that he’s eaten all his chili con carne, Italian meatballs and fajitas though. Gone are those short few months where he recognized his name and responded to it. Busy running towards some mud or a puddle, if I call his name, unlike other grownups, I'm now completely ignored. I just get him mumbling something under his breath and an acceleration towards his goal. 7 – Keeping his parents in line whilst playing it cool Perhaps the most cutting development in this toddler adolescence is the proliferation of the word 'no'. In his very matter of fact way, he can crush your enthusiasm by looking you square in the eye and informing you that you’re being a bit of an idiot. Pappa: ‘Let’s sing some songs! Yay! Can you clap your hands!? *If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands! [*clap clap*] If you’re happy*—' Little Bear: ‘No Pappa’ *wags finger and leans forehead forward seriously ‘No’ Pappa: ‘…oh, ok’. Having dealt with his nuisance parent’s uncool enthusiasm, Little Bear turns round and carries on playing with the hoover I’m guessing Little Bear isn’t the only toddler to go through this phase, unless we’re just unlucky. If you’ve had any similar experiences, feel free to put add them to the comments.
16 Comments
13/10/2017 06:58:03 am
I was having this discussion about Harry and milk last night- why do they not need it at nursery but get through gallons with us!? #thatfridaylinky
Reply
14/10/2017 11:10:50 am
As an ex early years professional, I totally agree with this #satsesh@_karendennis
Reply
14/10/2017 07:59:23 pm
My youngest was unreal stroppy during toddler time, if he didn't want something or comply with our requests he put Mariah Carey looking like a saint, lol X #thesatsesh
Reply
Dave
29/11/2017 09:26:46 am
Haha! Sounds familiar
Reply
Dave
29/11/2017 09:29:15 am
Good luck!
Reply
16/10/2017 10:52:33 pm
My little guy is going through this right now... you’re spot on! Funny but also a wee bit sad... ah well all part of the journey. Nice to meet you through #Familyfunlinky
Reply
17/10/2017 06:21:45 pm
Sounds like he's too cool for school, wait until he does start school! I've been a threeanger for well over a year! Popping over from #DreamTeam
Reply
Hi Dave, toddler adolescence is now a distant memory for me and I'm almost at the point where I can say I've survived teenage adolescence too (phew). I love Little Bears scowl when the camera is pointed his way, my daughter gets a look every much like that and she's almost 18. I won't say it won't last forever as one chapter merges into another as children grow up, but I'm sure he won't be splashing around in puddles in just socks for very long, which, if you think about it is quite sad.
Reply
Dave
29/11/2017 09:30:32 am
Very true. Enjoy it while it lasts :)
Reply
17/10/2017 09:22:07 pm
#thesatsesh so glad you joined us, what a lovely blog you have. I agree - toddlers are mini drunk people who are out of control. i do remember thinking 'why did i teach my son to talk, if all he is going to give me are opinions?' - they are like a mini fashion gurus too - with little colour coordination and (my son) heavily influenced by cars or starwars on t-shirts :)
Reply
hahaha mine defiantly had 'thinking everyone is watching them' down. It's like the spot light is constantly on them. As for their own dress sense my oldest toddler will only wear a 'pretty dress' but it has to be dressing up costume. She has worn it everyday this week. Sigh. Thanks for joining us at #familyfun
Reply
19/10/2017 07:44:31 pm
I can absolutely relate to this with my littlest little. He's very much taken charge of his own wardrobe and the results are eye watering some mornings! (Not to mention flu-inducing!) Shorts in October you say? Well ok then!? Thank you for sharing with #DreamTeam x
Reply
Dave
29/11/2017 09:28:34 am
At the moment Little Bear thinks it's a great idea to leave the house with no trousers on at all (who needs them)
Reply
23/10/2017 01:25:28 pm
We're about to enter the threenage years which I can't say I'm looking forward to! #familyfunlinky
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI'm Dave, dad of Little Bear. Also known as 'Pappa' to the little man as we try and bring out his Swedish roots Categories
All
|