How did your parenting life get better after your youngest turned 2?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly not for me. Between 2-4 is still difficult because their are potty training accidents, tantrums, naps to work around, and generally bigger behavior issues to resolve and work through. But preschool does provide some relief. For us about 4.5-5 is when things were much better

+1

[Anonymous]

The toddler years are all about the constant vigilance of making sure your tiny person with lots of mobility and no common sense doesn't kill themselves in 500 ways before breakfast. By about 2 or 2.5 they have developed some self preservation instincts and can play independently for a few minutes.

[Anonymous]

I think once the child has dropped a nap, life got better (especially when you have more than one child). I always needed to be super vigilant about the nap schedule because there is nothin worse than a kid who has missed his nap! My kids also went to bed earlier once that afternoon nap was off the schedule.

[Anonymous]

I remember it getting better when my youngest could get in and out of the car, and buckle and unbuckle themselves. Mine didn't sleep in (as in past 6am) until much older.

[Anonymous]

Sorry. Age 2 is still hard. Life begins to change at age 4 when they can reliably feed themselves and go to the bathroom. By age 5 the only NEED is 3 plates of food and snacks but I hope you also clean the house and give them some stimulation too in the form of book reading, projects and talking to them.

[Anonymous]

My youngest is 22 months and I already see a light in the tunnel. I put their milk sippy cups in the fridge at night. After I get them up (youngest is in a crib), they both go down and drink milk and play in the playroom by themselves for 30 min or so. I use Hatch lights and both don't get out of bed before 8 am. They have always played together a lot, but my older child likes that the younger now speaks (or at least understands!).

[Anonymous]

Mine are now 12 and 9. I agree with the PP who talked about when the youngest turned 3. Once youngest is fully potty trained and off naps, you get more sleep at night, you have freedom in your schedule to go places at whatever time. They played together before that, to be sure, but they play more independently and harmoniously together. There was a wonderful sweet spot from then all the way until recently, when the oldest became a tween and then they started bickering more.

I will say this to those of you with little ones. I remember how hard it is, but it can also be so magical. The way they develop so quickly at those young ages, the hysterical things they can say as they observe the world. They are still wonderful and funny now, and now can have amazing conversations, but there are also things about when they are little that are so fleeting and never recaptured. I have learned to try to enjoy and appreciate each age. It goes so fast.

[Anonymous]

Op, just got there with my youngest (of 4), who is 30 months. I felt like there was a huge turning point at 18 months, and then a little after DC turned 2

The biggest changes have been DC can play independently now (with studies, blocks, etc) and can communicate what they want much better so there is less whining and crying. Another big change about 2 months ago when she started watching TV shows and being interested instead of just tuning them out. I can now cook a quick dinner without having to constantly entertain DC which is HUGE.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations on your family. You are blessed and have many more blessings and challenges to come. For me each age and each stage brought something new and beautiful. I had five children. Most of them were unexpected blessings. I liked it when they were helpless babes and I knew I had to care for them and nurture them. I liked it when they began to have a mind of their own and say “no” to some things-it challenged me to recognize their individuality and be creative in my approach to handling the challenge of raising them to become the best person they could be. Potty training even has its special moments-when they are on the pot is a great time for reading to them and teaching them. Note here I did have 2 in diapers at the same time and I liked it when I did not have to do diapers. Sometimes I did feel like I was up to my ears in POOP. ( we also had a new puppy at that time and that about pushed me over the wall). I liked it when I could teach them things that would help them to become more independent and watched them achieve. I really like it when they began to play together and explore their world/s. And as life went on and each child amazed me, startled me, challenged me, stretched me and built my prayer life; I grew, they grew and we grew as a family. What a blessing. I pray for you to find the fullness of all God has prepared for your family. God bless you.

[Anonymous]

Potty training and playing together independent from me are the big successes. My kids are 3 and 6 now and it’s honestly a dream- they can go play by themselves for an hour at a time without intervention.

Sleep though has not improved- my kids have always been early risers and I am not. And they want breakfast right away, so I have to get up.

[Anonymous]

I loved 0-2 and again starting about Kindergarten. 2-5 were tough years at least for us.

[Anonymous]

4 and 2. Potty trained, talking (telling where something hurts), playing together, older child “reading” to younger child, the giggles when they’re alone - really everything got easier.

[Anonymous]

My oldest just turned 5 and youngest is 2.5. I am really enjoying these ages. Our younger son is potty trained except nap/night time. It’s nice to be inching toward the end of diapers. At 2.5, he has an attention span for certain activities (really getting into books, some easy puzzles, and basic games like Candyland). We can order pizza and do family movie night (kids’ movie of course). We can go on family walks without a stroller. My kids can play together outside together (stuff like obstacle courses, sidewalk chalk, and riding scooters). Having 2 kids who can talk to each other is really nice. They are starting to share similar interests and I just sort of hover while they play together instead of having to be their cruise director. I’m actually really glad to have 2 kids right now because my 5 year old would be bored out of his mind without a buddy — even if they do squabble at times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congratulations on your family. You are blessed and have many more blessings and challenges to come. For me each age and each stage brought something new and beautiful. I had five children. Most of them were unexpected blessings. I liked it when they were helpless babes and I knew I had to care for them and nurture them. I liked it when they began to have a mind of their own and say “no” to some things-it challenged me to recognize their individuality and be creative in my approach to handling the challenge of raising them to become the best person they could be. Potty training even has its special moments-when they are on the pot is a great time for reading to them and teaching them. Note here I did have 2 in diapers at the same time and I liked it when I did not have to do diapers. Sometimes I did feel like I was up to my ears in POOP. ( we also had a new puppy at that time and that about pushed me over the wall). I liked it when I could teach them things that would help them to become more independent and watched them achieve. I really like it when they began to play together and explore their world/s. And as life went on and each child amazed me, startled me, challenged me, stretched me and built my prayer life; I grew, they grew and we grew as a family. What a blessing. I pray for you to find the fullness of all God has prepared for your family. God bless you.

You sound like a wonderful mom who sees the positives in each child and stage. No wonder you had 5! I can barely handle my 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 and 2. Potty trained, talking (telling where something hurts), playing together, older child “reading” to younger child, the giggles when they’re alone - really everything got easier.

5 and 2 here, and this resonates so much.