18 months old...

BYE-BYE BABY DAYS Your toddler has gained a lot of independence in the last six months. By this age, he is keen to try to manage things alone whenever possible. You find yourself slowed down by his clumsy, but insistent, attempts to feed himself, or his refusals to get into the pushchair when you're in a hurry. It's hard to find a happy medium between encouraging independence and providing the support your child still needs, when the recipient can be so stubborn! Keeping your sense of humour is vital during this stage, as it can be quite exasperating at times. Whenever possible, try to present your toddler with a choice of options to give him the impression that he is playing a real part in the decision making process. If he believes he has some degree of control over his life, he will be less likely to actively seek it out at every opportunity.