The toddler stage can be a very difficult stage not only for the child, but for the parent. I personally think we should rename ti the testing stage. Because at this stage is when they start testing you in every way they can. Whether it's to see what they can get away with or just to see how to push your buttons.

This is also when they start to walk. Now they best thing to do is not to pressure your child or listen to others when it comes to them walking. My son did not walk until about a week after his first birthday, which a lot of people told me he was behind, but now at three, I sometimes wish he still was just laying there. Especially at the end of the night when I'm dead tired and he is still a bundle of energy jumping off the walls!! All kids will walk when they are ready. Don't push them and don't get frustrated..My mom told me I skipped crawling and went right to walking. Cody loved to crawl and showed no interest in walking, but once he did, he was off and no one could stop him. And we still can't.

At the age of one they are learning so many new things and love to explore. Don't stop them. Let them be a kid, let them play in the dirt and run around with only a diaper. It was fun for us when we were kids and now a days they are growing up way too fast. At his age you will also see them start to mimic a lot of what you do so be careful what all they see. I know it's tempting to sit them in front of a T.V. so you can get things done but try not to do this too much.

Take them on walks and let them see everything and, when it turns cold, don't just keep them coped up in the house. Let them go out for alittle bit and see the different seasons. A lot of parents are afraid of taking their little ones out because they might get sick but this helps build up their immune system so when they do get sick it is not a dangerous one.

One year old are very curious and will point to things a lot, so tell them what it is they are pointing to, even at this young age their minds are like sponges and will start absorbing everything. They also start trying to talk at this age. Moms don't get your feelings hurt if their first word is dada, most kids say that first. And don't worry when everyone becomes know as mama; for a long time Cody called everyone, even my dad, mama.

The terrible Twos

I didn't know what to expect with Cody when he turned two because I had heard so many bad things about the terrible twos. But he was really good all through the twos. He expanded his vocabulary so well and learned so many things quickly. I thought I had got lucky and he wasn't going to hit that stage.

WRONG!!

He tricked me and did it when he became three!!! So don't get too worried when you hear all those things about the age of two, it's the three year old you should worry about!! At the age of two is when you see them really becoming their own little person. They want to know what everything is and what it does. They also want to touch everything. This stage also bring everyones favorite words “NO” and “MINE”. Teaching a child at this age to share is hard but important. You can't always give in and let them have their way or you will have a long bad road ahead of you.

When Cody was two I put him in day care when I went to work. I know some people don't agree with day care but I saw a huge improvement in Cody. He was sharing with other children and when we would go to friends house that had kids, he had no problems going up and making new friends. I still am very happy with my day care and still see him learning new things all the time and he really seem s to enjoy it. He has a group of little boys he loves to play with, and even went on his first play date with one of the boys from school. But that"s just me, you have to do what you feel comfortable doing.

My son turned three in July and I now know what other mothers have felt like when you are in the middle of the grocery store and your child throws a very big tantrum over something they want. You can feel all eyes turning and looking at you as you stand their and try to find the quickest way out of there! I blame myself for that because I started it. Everytime we would go to the store I would tell him” If you're good you can pick something out!” But I so learned I couldn't afford it and he certainly did not need anymore toys, so the first time I told him no, I paid for it. I slowly but surely broke him of this. It was hard but I needed to do it, and now I can shop in peace and every once in awhile he will be allowed to get something. I wish I had never started it, but hey you got to learn by making mistakes.