Toddlers are amazing, there is no denying that. They learn quickly, think creatively and are filled with wonder and excitement. It’s a great time to explore and play with your child and watch as their personality begins to evolve and emerge. It’s also a time of rapid change and potential frustration for both parents and kids. Your toddler may struggle with toilet training, push boundaries or throw tantrums. All kids are different but there are a few things that can help you along the way.
Here are a few incredibly useful things that you should have when you have a toddler:
An Easy to Set up Travel Cot
There is nothing worse than travelling with a toddler who is tired and miserable with nowhere to sleep. Or even more frustrating, having a fold out travel cot that you just cannot remember how to put up. Travel cots can be deceptively challenging to assemble, so that is why it’s important to have an easy to use travel cot that your toddler is comfortable sleeping in, and won’t take you 2 hours to set up.
A Toddler Home Safety Kit
You will never realise how dangerous your home truly is until your baby turns into a mobile accident magnet. A home safety kit is a simple way to prevent harm caused by sharp table edges and unlocked drawers. A home safety kit will also give you tools to toddler-proof your doors, cupboards, power points and a whole host of hidden household dangers.
Toddler Gates or Playpens
Providing a play space for your toddler to explore at their own pace is so important. It gives them the chance to learn independently and experience solo play. Play pens or toddler gates that block off dangerous stairs are a great way to create that safe space. But not all playpens are created equal and it’s really important to check out some play pen reviews before you purchase to ensure that you are choosing a play pen that is right for your home and your toddler.
Bath Crayons or Bath Toys
Most parents get a few bath toys for their babies but the toddler years are when bath time play gets elevated to a whole new level. Your little explorer will start to get dirtier throughout the day, not to mention tired and overwhelmed. A long, happy bath time in which to draw on the bath with specially designed bath crayons or play with some boats or even plastic cups is a brilliant way to start your bedtime routine.
Digital Ear Thermometer
It’s the middle of the night, your toddler is sick and miserable, but it’s hard to tell if she has a fever or not and whether you should rush to the hospital. An accurate Digital Ear Thermometer will give you the peace of mind knowing that you can check if your toddler is running a fever and needs urgent medical assistance or just at home comfort and a cuddle.
Cloth Toilet Training Diapers
Toilet training can be a long drawn out process and can test the patience of both you and your toddler. Make life easier for both of you with some purpose designed cloth toilet training diapers! These comfortable and washable elastic waisted diapers are not only easy to use but so much better for the environment than disposable diapers. They are also available in a wide range of designs to make the experience more fun for your little one!
A Comfortable Potty
Now that you’ve got those cloth training diapers, let’s talk about potties. Some people love them and swear by them, some people hate them and find a toddler seat for a standard toilet to be a better fit for them. It can be almost impossible to anticipate what is going to work for your child, so investing in a comfy potty is a great idea to get started. The comfort level is something to consider because your child could be spending a lot of time on there depending on how the process goes.
Toddler Step
It can be frustrating to be a little kid in a world built for grown-ups. Engage your toddler with household activities by providing them with a safe and portable step. Perfect for toileting, hand washing and even helping out in the kitchen, a toddler step will help your little one learn and practice a little carefully guided independence.
Whether you are toilet training or bathing, traveling or playing at home, there are ways to make life easier for you and your child. With a bit of planning and attention to your child’s particular needs, it’s possible to navigate some of the more difficult parenting challenges you may face. Being the parent of a toddler can be a lot of hard work but it can also bring tremendous joy, and with a few carefully selected tools you can make life easier for the whole family.
