[nancynic]

Did you know that there are five toddler temperaments? Here's the list. Which temperament is your toddler?

Angel Toddler - good as gold, very social, immediately comfortable in groups and most situations, develops language early and can clearly make her/his needs known. She can be distracted when she wants something she can't have and is easily calmed. At play, she can concentrate and can go with the flow.

Textbook Toddler - right on time developmentally, pleasant socially but can be shy with strangers, most comfortable in his/her own environment and needs time for transitioning to new surroundings, loves routines and knowing what to expect.

Touchy Toddler - sensitive, slow to adapt to new situations, likes order, hates interruptions, and likes to do things at her/his own pace.

Spirited Toddler - physically active, willful, prone to temper tantrums, social, curious, an adventurer, determined, can be a steam roller with great stamina! These toddlers have real leadership abilities.

Grumpy Toddler - angry, obstinate and wants things his/her way, independent, likes solitary play and may lack staying power to complete a task when frustrated.

These descriptions may sound very familiar to you. Share your descriptions and experiences with us.

Thanks!
Nancy

[Sylvester]

I most definitely have the spirited toddler!!! She is not afraid of anything. She is so curious. She at times can be very aggressive. She bites and hits. She is the child in the mall who throws herself down screaming and everyone stares at you! I was unprepared for it, my older daughter was a very calm, hesitant child. I would love to have more kids, but I have to wait till she is older! I will say I love to see how she looks at the world and I hope she maintains the spirit that is within her!

[spaypets]

I'd say I have a textbook toddler, bordering on Angelic. She's shy around strangers and hesitates in new situations, but she is usually agreeable and cooperative. Once something new becomes familiar, she is enthusiastic and happy.

She sometimes pitches a fit when she's tired or hungry, but even then after a few minutes of crying will stop when asked "Are you done?"

[cj416]

is it possible to have all of the above???
It depends on the day what my child will be like.

[mckenna]

my toddler is somewhere between spirited and grumpy which makes parenting challenging to say the least. any suggestions?

[stacyone]

These "5 types" are from "Secrets from the Baby Whisperer" author Tracy Hogg. I never read that book, but I got "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers" and I LOVE it! I read Penelope Leach (a little too permissive for me) and Dr. Spock (a little too regimented) but have found that Hogg's style is what I've been doing instinctively! She has helped me define my "parenting style" and has made me much more confident in a lot of areas!

Incidentally, my little peanut is a 70% Textbook, 20% Touchy and 10% Angel.

[nancynic]

Hi,

Good for you - enjoying your child's perspective of the world is so important ... seeing the world from our childrens' perspective makes them feel understood and loved and allows us to cherish our children, no matter what their temperament!

Nancy

[nancynic]

Hi,

Lucky you ... a child who borders on Angelic is very very very nice!

;-)

Nancy

[nancynic]

Hi,

Yes, a mix is very common ... temperament is said to be inborn, however it can vary with the environment ... the types are not rigid but are helpful as a model and way of understanding kids. The important thing is to accept our children for who they are, rather than trying to change them.

Nancy

[nancynic]

Hi,

Hmmm a mix of spirited and grumpy ... well, my advice would be to accentuate the positive ... give lots of leeway for moods but also lots of positive reinforcement for positive behavior. There's lots of energy beneath spirited so make sure to direct that and allow for its expression!

Nancy

[spaypets]

Thanks Nancy, we think we're very lucky.

Of course, she's not yet 2 so all of that might change once she realizes that she has a choice about things! I think she's so delighted to have parents right now that everything seems great to her.

But, she has a great sense of humor, which will be an asset throughout her life. A kid whose first instinct is to laugh, instead of cry will be very fortunate.

[nancynic]

Hi,

Sounds like you and your child know how fortunate you are to be together ... there is grace in that.

Yes, the two's can be challenging and you can expect to hear 'no!' but a sense of humor is so important and can smooth out the difficult times.

Keep in touch with us to let us know how you are doing! Thanks so much for your sharing.

Nancy

[qs mom]

I also have a son who is a cross between spirited and grumpy.

When the tantrum starts and he's sent to his room, after a few minutes, I ask if he's done, he'll be sure to let me know . . . sometimes yes , sometimes no.

[nancynic]

Hi,

That's a great strategy ... you send him to his room, letting him know that tantrums must be contained in that way ... and you let him make the decision (put him in charge) of deciding when he is ready to return to the wider environment.

Well done!
Nancy

[Shai's Mom]

My son is very definitely a "Spirited Toddler".. Sometimes I'm tempted to just sit on him, so I can have a little break..

He's now 2 y 3 mo old and if I compare how he was last year, there is a world of difference, he's become much more manageable..

When I think about it, he is full of mischief, but he doesn't get into "trouble", if I may use the term.. He doesn't do anything really that requires discipline.. He will listen once he heard "stop" a few times... (at varying degrees of intensity...)

And, there isn't a day when he doesn't make us laugh..