Sanity and Relief

I get weekly emails from babycenter.com with snippits of helpful info like the following:

“Whining and screaming: If your 15-month-old has started sounding like a hyena or worse, you're experiencing his intense desire to interact with you. Children thrive on their parents' attention, and a toddler this age will do just about anything to get yours. When he gets loud or whiny, kneel down to your child's level and tell him you're listening. If he keeps it up, calmly say, "I can't understand you when you talk like that. Please use your normal voice and I'll be happy to listen to what you're saying." Eventually, he'll get the message.”

AND:
“Doing errands around town is harder than ever with a pint-size explorer in tow. Being strapped down in a car seat or stroller is the last place your toddler wants to be: Expect an earful — usually accompanied by an arched back and flailing arms and legs — when it's time to buckle up. This is partly because about 90 percent of all toddlers are walking by now (late walkers will catch up in the next month or two), which means they'd much rather be practicing their footwork than sitting still.”

I can’t describe the relief in knowing he’s right on target for his age. Sometimes I thrive on these emails as they seem to so accurately describe Connor’s behavior. It’s almost like reading a checklist: whining and screaming – check. Loud and whiny – check. Arched back and flailing arms and legs when getting in the car seat or stroller – double check! Perhaps it’s just that I feel validated, like someone else knows what I witness on a regular basis and then has great advice to offer to guide me through this uncharted territory I’ve encountered.

Yay for babycenter.com and lots of other moms with 15-month-olds. It brings me sanity and relief!