18 months old

What a milestone, my wee baby - or should that be toddler - has passed this milestone, my favourite baby site babycentre.co.uk says this:

On the move - Your 18-month-old is becoming a proficient walker. Ha - we laugh at walking - he is running! He may motor up stairs with help (huh - gates have been removed because he's just so bally confident and I cant be bothered to keep bumping into them whenever Ive had a drink)and likes to climb all over your furniture. He'll try to kick a ball, though he won't always be successful. He probably likes to dance if you play music and will push and turn buttons and knobs if they're in reach - Yep, switching tv on and off and the microwave has become the "it" toy of the moment.


Is he ready for toilet training? Before a child can learn to use a potty, he must develop the sensory awareness that allows him to hold in his urine or bowel movements. Most toddlers don't learn this until they are at least 18 months old. You'll have much better success if you wait until your child is showing all the signs of readiness before you start potty training.

Have to admit that this is the next step I want to crack - Ive been using re-usable nappies and whilst I love them the idea of getting rid of them makes me SMILE - so here is to potty training.

Developing memory and imagination - Somewhere between 18 months and 24 months your toddler will begin to show that he can think about things that aren't present. For example, he'll no longer be confused if you hide an object while he watches and then move it to another spot when he's looking away. After he discovers it's not where he thought it was, he'll keep searching.

Im really pee'd off about this cause its one of my favourite games, keeps Dylan busy for ages. I hide all of his toys and then he spend the morning looking for them. It used to be called putting things away!!!


Comfort objects and habits - For a toddler, a favourite stuffed toy is a great source of comfort. He might also have some habits that soothe him -- like twirling his hair, rocking, or sucking his thumb. Most children naturally outgrow these things by the time they're four, so there's no need to intervene now.

Dylan has taken to carrying things around in three's, the tiger, the elephant and the lion. Thomas, Edward and the blue train from Thomas the tank engine. The only exceptions to this rule of three is Roly Mo and little Mo who can be added to any of the above or just carried on thier own. Im not sure where this three rule came from, other than we always count to three - perhaps I should up the anti.


Discipline - If you reward good behaviour and do not reward bad behaviour, your child will quickly learn right from wrong. You could try to model the behaviour you hope to foster in your children, because they will learn by copying you. If you make a rule, like never allowing your child to leave the garden without an adult, then stick to it, and never let him risk it. He will soon remember that it is taboo.

Ahhh the ole stick to the rule rule.... hmm struggling with this one. That's me not Dylan, its really hard to say "No" and mean it when your peeing yourself laughing.

Anyway, its been a fantastic 18 months and Ive loved so much of the time, yes some of it has made me cry, but most of it Ive been laughing. Have to include this one pick - does it show potential to be a computer wizard!