What advice would you give this mom?

[swd12422]

DD is 2yo 3 months and "spirited," as they say. She has never liked being confined (car seat, stroller, etc) and lets everyone know about it. Loudly. This has been since day one. She loves to roam and explore and does not like to be "confined" by holding mommy's hand, even in parking lots where mommy has made it clear it's not safe to run free. DD doesn't care. She'll run off in any direction other than towards mommy. So far, she has not managed to hurt herself or others, thankfully. She knows her mind and definitely follows only that, no one else. She's going to be a very successful woman someday.

Today was her first day at a toddler storytime. Most kids (1-3 years old) were sitting quietly with their caregivers. A few ran amok, including DD, but not overly wild. However, as soon as the music started, DD was right there in the front, following every action the story leader did, as though she'd been rehearsing, even though she's never heard these songs before, and is not in school/playgroup where like activities are done. She's clearly able to understand and follow directions.

Mommy is frustrated. Does this kid need preschool? More (gentle) discipline? More outings/social time with other kids? More intellectual stimulation? More quiet time? Something else?

[newbiemama09]

Originally Posted by swd12422

Mommy is frustrated. Does this kid need preschool? More (gentle) discipline? More outings/social time with other kids? More intellectual stimulation? More quiet time? Something else?

sounds like you just found her nitche! my DD also loooooooooove music and stories, so we go to library story time as well and she has a great time. with toddlers i think the biggest lesson is to learn how to adapt to each of their individual learning styles. your DD clearly is facinated with music or stories. she probably also loved to be with other kids, too. i think at least a play group would be a good idea. i know some communities have MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) or some equillivant where moms get together with their kids and learn from each other and have activities. maybe try signing up for a community class and see how DD listens, follows directions, plays with others, etc. maybe she's telling you she's ready for the structure and social environment of some type of preschool/day care that you can do a couple of days a week.

[jillmamma]

She sounds a lot like my DD at that age! Now DD is 5, and still fiercely independent, opinionated, intense, loud, loves to sing and dance, move around, etc., but now is sometimes able to take a step back and think before acting. Like, she will scream NO! at me, then stop and think for a minute and ask "please can I do this instead?" in a nice voice. The cool thing with the singing and such is that at kindergarten now she is picking up on a lot of concepts fast due to them using songs! Days of the week, months of the year, spelling of colors, etc. Now too, she is old enough to understand some of the logic behind holding mom's hand in the parking lot (not to get hurt) and that mom is not just trying to torture her. I have found that trying to be as patient as possible (not easy!), giving short explanations why I am asking her to do xxx (be safe so she does not get hurt, be nice to others, etc.), showing her an appropriate way to express instead of screaming (tell her, instead of screeching, ask for item with please), getting her lots of outside play timea nd keeping her busy helps a lot. There IS hope...they do calm down a bit as they grow!