Sometimes the moment can pass you by. In fact, you can be so busy with the day to day business of child rearing that you don’t even notice when your toddler grows up. But one day, you’ll look at your child and it will hit you. All of a sudden you will realize that:

• You haven’t changed a nappy for three years
• You no longer have to cut your child’s food into tiny pieces; medium sized will do
• Your child can eat off the family china without you having to worry about breakages
• Your friends say how polite and well behaved your child is (even if at home, it’s a different story)
• Your child will try new foods and will eat something she doesn’t like instead of spitting it out.
• Your child is now two thirds of your height and gaining on you fast
• Your child has gone into adult shoe sizes, even if it’s only a 1
• You can have a conversation that doesn’t involve threats, bribes or tantrums
• Your child has become a person whom you like to hang out with

It’s a great moment when you realize this, because it vindicates your parenting skills. It makes all of the time you spent repeating rules worth it.

Don’t kid yourself, the battle isn’t over. In fact, it’s only just begun, but at least you’ve successfully navigated the first stage. What signs told you that your toddler was growing up?

Technorati Tags: parenting toddler, kids grow up

Sharon Hurley Hall is a born again blogger who has been writing for more than 20 years. She is a freelance writer and ghostwriter who specializes in ebooks, SEO articles and blog posts. Sharon runs the freelance mentoring blog, Get Paid To Write Online. She has a wonderful five year old daughter who keeps her on her toes.

Actually I am too but what scares me the most is going to the dentist. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather get a shot in my arm than in my mouth. But you can’t let kids know that. Mommy has to be strong and take it like a champ so when it’s time for little nugget to go take his turn on that dreaded table you can tell him to be a champ without looking like a hypocrite.

If the champ imagery doesn’t work then maybe adding a little humor will.

Click here to view the embedded video.

_{Via Telling It Like It Is}

Sittercity Sitter Search Enter your zipcode to find a babysitter in your area: Zip Code