Toddler And Twin Milestones In Depth At 25-30 Months

 

Toddler And Twin Milestones In Depth At 25-30 Months

9-18-2012

My crazy twins keeping me young are 30 months, 2 weeks, & 2 days old 

 

 

 30 month old twins enjoying a ferris wheel ride 

I promised to return, and I always keep my promises. After 24 months I said the milestone update would be less frequent, but I’m still here to discuss them in detail, as my twins are now 30 months of age. It’s insane. the growth, in every sense of the word that has taken place since they’ve turned two.

 

You are at a very trying, yet very incredible time with your toddler or twins. Right in the thick of the terrible two’s you will most likely have days where you are not only exhausted, but maybe at times wanting to pull your hair out. Hang on..as the stages and phases continue to change.

 

At 24 months my toddler twins seemed to hit some kind of light switch. They (in my opinion) became tougher than ever. Granted all children are different.. but for me it became the hardest time and here are some of the reasons why.

 

1) All naps were given up. You may notice this to.

When I see toddlers my twins’ age still napping in their strollers I say to the parent..”You are so lucky. Enjoy it while it lasts.” That 1 half hour nap sounds so good to me now.

 

 

2) The tots became very possessive and fought like cats and dogs, though now there is hope..have no fear.

If you have a singleton you are fortunate in this department. There isn’t another party to really fight with unless you have Irish twins or close. It shouldn’t be as bad as twins in the same stage at the same time though. I’ve been in both places. Everything is about ME, ME, ME…MINE, MINE, MINE.

 

Of course, if you do have twins you may have one better sharer than the other, but even buying two of something doesn’t guarantee a happy united front either. This can be a tough phase, especially if they were more sharing and caring earlier. Seeing this can make you sad, but I promise as time goes on this will ease up a bit. It has here.

 

Definitely, in the past month or two the girls have shown more love and caring towards one another. An example of this: The other day Annie says, ”Mommy, I have a tummy ache.” Allie came over lovingly and started rubbing Annie’s belly. Granted it was only for several seconds, but it made my heart smile.

 

At 24 months the fighting was very intense, but now as we got closer to 30 months, though they still fight, there is less blood shed if you will. There is more camaraderie, and they help one another out quite often in both good ways and bad. Bad when they are trying to accomplish a task that is devious. I still enjoy watching the friendship evolve even when they unite in devious ways.

 

 

3) Containing toddlers became very difficult at the two year mark. I want to be a big kid!

They no longer wanted to sit in a stroller, would fidget to get out of it and usually succeeded no matter what I did. They had to be put into big girl beds as they could easily scale their cribs and refused to sleep in them, though some babies do enjoy their cribs and the security of them for even longer. Sitting nicely in high chairs or booster seats for dinner became much, much more of a struggle. We are still fighting these battles.

 

I’m actually selling my Stroll-Air my duo with the additional infant car seat adapters, unused boots and diaper bag for $550 + shipping (or free pick up).. RT. $900 if anyone is interested. It’s in terrific shape and perfect working order. It doesn’t make sense to keep such a Cadillac of s stroller if they won’t sit still anymore. They are wagon passengers or walkers now.

FOR SALE!

 

 

4) ”I DO…I DO MYSELF!” Independence grows by the month.. (I mean day.)

Whether it’s pulling up a zipper, opening a capri-sun, closing a container, putting on a pair of pants, socks or shoes, brushing teeth, etc. etc. etc. you may notice at 2 and up your toddler or twins will want to do a lot of things on their own. It’s cute in parts…frustrating in parts. It depends on the situation. (Most especially when you’re in a rush.)

 

In situations where you know something won’t be done correctly unless you do it (or at least help), or when you are certain it’s an impossible task but they won’t let you near them. Or when they get angry at you and they try and try and eventually break down and allow you to help them, this age is the age of independence.

 

I’ve learned to no longer fight my twins on it. Even if I know it’s not able to be done on their own I will wait and then be there to lend a helping hand. In cases where they can succeed at something they wish to do and feel a great sense of pride in it, I always give them lots of praise for their accomplishments. This helps build self esteem. You can see the glow on their little faces. This is very important. Praise good behavior always. Try never to reward negative behavior.

 

 

5) Talkedy, talk, talk, talk. Expressing through words has gotten so much easier. This may mean less or no more tantrums. (At least for this reason, which is a huge one.)

 You may notice a lot less of those tantrums you were seeing at say 16, 18, maybe 20 months old. Your toddler or twins can say most anything now to get you to understand what they want from you, or what they wish to do. They are less frustrated, far more verbal, and as mom or dad even if certain words or sentences are blurry you have come to understand your child even if somebody else would not be able to.

 

The language explosion is incredible between the 2 year birthday and 30 months old. 6 short months makes a world of difference. The things they can say now will astound you. It’s really an incredible time. It’s not an easy time, but it surely is a time of immense growth, and one where you start looking at your child or children and start saying, ”Where did my little baby go?” It can be sad and yet thrilling at the same time.

 

Some toddlers, even though they express themselves so much better now, can still have bouts of temper tantrums from time to time, especially when tired. I will say its been awhile since I have personally seen one. Be patient, this will get better. If you are concerned about your toddler’s behavior, don’t feel like it’s your fault. You can bring it up to your doctor and get some reassurance from him or her. There are ways to cope with the situation.

 

Read all about tantrums here. I know all about it.

 

 

6) Speaking in full sentences

 By the time 30 months comes around, the way your child puts together words, thoughts, expressions is just astounding! Some tots are more advanced than others, but they have the ability to speak in sentences, at least in small ones by this point in time. It can feel like an overnight thing between going from, ”Love you” to ”I love you mama, goodnight.”

 

Remember if you do have twins do not compare them to one another. If you are afraid your child isn’t up to par on his or her verbal skills or ANYTHING, talk to the pediatrician. More than likely your child or one twin just happens to be more advanced in one particular thing than another at that time. Whether in speech or in other behaviors. It does not mean there is anything wrong, though it’s easy to compare and worry. Please try not to.

 

Don’t do this with other kids you meet either…not just siblings. Every child is different, and it doesn’t mean one is any less or any more smart. Catching up on something can be an overnight thing. One child may excel at sports or drawing etc. while another may be more intellectual seeming..AKA book smart. You will see some talents growing at this time, though it still is very early.

 

 

7) Toddlers become more cautious yet fearless, and this may scare mom and dad more.

As independence continues to grow and grow and their skills become more and more keen and daring even, you will find yourself often between a rock in a hard place, if you will. They may scare you to death but at the same time their abilities are greater. So in a way you can really relax a bit more. (Make any sense? I’ll explain.) Your toddler or twins are at an age where they can go down the slide alone and know how to do so carefully.

 

Unlike the younger days you aren’t quite as worried and right up their hineys while they go up and down on the play equipment as you once were. They have most of that stuff licked, and they are aware of danger and unlike the earlier days they usually will try and avoid it. They take caution and associate danger with possibly getting hurt. You still have to be there. It does not mean they might not one time decide to take a risk. I just find my heart much less in my throat than it used to be. I can relax more, but when they are out they’re a windstorm. I’m not sitting on the benches just yet .

 

Yes, they are everywhere but now they are steady, much more balanced and agile, and you will find that you can sit back and relax a little bit more as this time period goes on and enjoy watching them, rather than chasing them in a dripping sweat. I find this to be a bit of a relief for old mom, except when my two gang up together and start embarrassing me by say hoping up on tables at restaurants, going underneath them giggling with glee, holding salt and pepper shakers upside down for funsies. They can get quite hyper and out of control, but every child has their own personality. At the parks and stuff I definitely feel more at ease. I don’t enjoy dining with them just yet (HA HA.)

 

 

8 ) Hitting, pushing, biting, scratching may be on the decrease towards the end of this stage.

My twins were like baby wrestlers. I’m not saying all is perfect, however, I have noticed a sharp decrease in the violent side of things. Not to say when one wants something she doesn’t try and fight for it. The biting has completely stopped, and the fighting is less brutal than it once was. I no longer worry about their behavior with other children in public (most times) and I can finally put the Neosporin down for a moment or two. I used to take that and Mederma EVERYWHERE!

 

 Hair pulling has lessened. It seems like they try and reason things out a bit and mom is less of a referee and more of a mother now. They fight, but I’m enjoying watching them enjoy each other more. At this age you may notice them making little friends now instead of shunning those opportunities all away. They will begin to notice that friendships can be fun. They start to learn to share at this point, if not already. If you try and help them out with this practice from an early age you’ll be doing everybody a world of good. (Yourself included.)

 

 

9) Baby proofing has become far more complex. They figure things out now.

Like if we hang on the door knob locks they will break apart and we can get through the doorways without problem. This started around 24 months for us. They have found where we have hidden the magnetic keys to open up the drawers, and have been caught doing it themselves and opening up without worry when they think you aren’t looking. They turn sneaky and exceedingly smart at this stage of the game. You really have to be one step ahead of them.

 

Make sure to hide magnetic keys in secret places, always keep refrigerator locks locked or you will regret it. Make sure cabinet locks are impenetrable to toddlers, and keep anything you don’t want touched, much less destroyed.. high and dry. We have had to remove stuff altogether and either put it in the basement, attic, and hide things in the tops of the closets, out of reach. There isn’t much that toddlers can not get to at this point in age, especially as you get closer to that 2 and 1/2 year mark.

 

You really have to re-examine old baby-proofing techniques and step it up a notch or two. What used to be hard or impossible to accomplish is no longer. Everything must be hidden, doors securely locked, and we even have to unplug the microwave when not in use as we have found them sticking various items inside and starting it up for funsies. Big, big no no. Do what you must to make surroundings safe and even then they will still surprise you with some new adventure you’ll be forced to rectify. Don’t worry..it’s normal. Frustrating at times, but completely normal.

 

They don’t put much of anything in their mouths anymore, but you do have to reexamine your home in high places that were never prior thought about before, and make sure any hidden dangers are properly taken care of. When in doubt..just take it out. If it’s interesting to them, they’ll find their way to get to it believe you me. One day you’ll have your home back again I assure you.

 

 

10) Ah the questions. ‘Why?’ ‘What’s that?’

I knew the day would come, and yes oh yes it has. More my Annie than Allie likes to constantly ask questions about the world around her. She’ll ask ‘What’s that’ so many times seemingly in a row about anything and everything it is cute but at the same time can drive you bonkers. Sometimes it happens so much I start saying ‘I don’t know’ as I lose track of what she just saw that she’s asking about now after 50 other things.

 

This may be frustrating when in excess, especially if you have twins both doing this, but it’s a normal part of growing up and life, and you will notice this happening between roughly 26-30 months old. Some on the younger side, some towards that 2 and 1/2 year mark. Again, some will do it more than others…especially ones that love soaking up knowledge.

 

 My Annie has always been a little sponge. Try to remember.. they just are eager to learn about the world around them, and like everything else it’s just another phase that comes in and than goes out in time. Try and teach your child everything they can learn about. You are a HUGE part of your child’s ”before school’ education. Even then they learn much from you, so be prepared to grin and bear it if you aren’t there already. It won’t last forever.

 

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 Potty Training

You likely are in the heart of the potty training movement. (Or at least attempting to be.) With twins you may dread this, but you may actually have an advantage as they have each other to watch and learn from. This can be both good and bad, but in this instance it’s usually quite good. Start to encourage potty training your toddler or twins during this stage if you haven’t already.

 

To learn more on the subject of potty training, and potty training factoids look at this potty training article I wrote this Summer. It might just help you both out.

 

 The average age for potty training for girls is 35 months and for boys a bit slower at 39 months. I have read that the overall average for at least partial potty training (the start of it) is between the ages of 20 to 30 months. You will see the signs when your child is ready, willing, and able. It takes time to perfect the art of this new feat. There will be accidents.

 

 I have even seen my twins in recent weeks find it fun (but I don’t) to purposely pee on a piece of furniture or even in their older sister’s toy box, even though, when starting at 24 months they had no problem holding their urine and going to the bathroom with proud glee. It’s become a game, yet mama isn’t laughing.

 

This I must start doing time-outs for if I catch them in the act. It’s very upsetting to me, though funny to them. Hopefully your little one or ones aren’t as insane as my own, tee hee. Hang in there. I do see now that in most areas, hitting the two and 1/2 mark with my girls has been a break for me in some ways. Things are constantly changing, but most things for the better, so I’m excited about the months and the year ahead. I really do hope it goes slower though.

 

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 Other developmental milestones you may notice between 25-30 months

 

1. Draws vertical lines on paper- circles are mastered.

 

2. Saying their own full name and names of siblings.

 

3. Balancing body weight on one foot.

 

4. Balance development – walking heel to toe.

 

5. Can brush teeth though not ‘well enough’, so help is still needed to get all the filth out.

 

6. Can dress oneself in simple outfits.

 

7. Can drink out of a topless cup without spilling. (Unless they want to spill, of course.)

 

8. Helps put toys away, and helps tidy up messes. (Try and keep that going.)

 

9. Walks up stairs without any need for support.

 

10. Can stand and/or walk on tip toes.

 

11. Can undo a large button.. (also can snap snap closures and pull most zippers up and down.)

 

12. Retains simple information: name, age, some colors and shapes, possibly some ABC’S, and may be able to count to 5 by 30 months of age.

 

13. By 30 months he or she likely has a vocabulary of several hundred individual words.

 

14. Learns the concept of sharing when playing with other children or siblings. 

(Though some will share more openly than others.)

 

15. May have tantrums for different reasons now. When things don’t go their way rather than out of frustration.

(I find this has lessened. Real, full, blowout tantrums anyway. They just object or maybe cry a little.)

 

Hang on moms and dads. You got this! I’ll be back soon enough to talk milestones again, until then…enjoy! No matter how frustrating and hectic at times it may get, the terrible two’s aren’t forever. And though everything changes and some things get harder while others get easier, you have survived to this point..and you deserve a lot of credit for that. Soon enough they’ll be in school and life will get easier still.