BY THE TIME your little one reaches toddler and preschool age, they’re well able to tell you what they want. And that’s where the trouble starts, from dealing with tantrums to navigating playdates. That’s why it can be so helpful to hear how other parents are getting through it all.
Our Toddler and Preschool Parents Panel is made up of parents with little ones from 24 months up to age five.
In these strange times, we’re all looking for comfort – some of us in unexpected places. So we asked parents:
What’s one surprising item your child just really adores?
A Disney rubber: Since last weekend the younger boy is obsessed with a Toy Story rubber… Yes, an actual eraser. Can’t explain it. He wants it everywhere with him all day and all night.
- Michelle O’Brien
Baby pyjamas: Our eldest who is five this summer still seeks out a pair of pyjamas which he has had since before he could walk, and feels the texture when drinking milk.
He likes to drink out of a straw cup before bed and the pyjamas still come out for that one occasion.
- Kaisu Healy
Multi-purpose tea towels: We usually struggle to find a tea towel in our kitchen because they are serving another purpose in the playroom – as a bandage for one of the girls or a blanket for their teddies! Hours of fun!
- Ger Lowry
The sweeping brush: Her fascination with the brush started when she was about 18 months old and the kitchen brush used to tower over her. Her adventures with the brush involved a lot of items being knocked off tables and countertops, and the occasional brush handle to the face for an unsuspecting Mammy or Daddy. Playing with the sweeping brush became a much more enjoyable (and safer) event once we bought her a toy sweeping brush and dustpan set which were height appropriate.
Tara is almost four now and the obsession with sweeping the floor continues. I can’t complain though, I have a one-year-old who is a messy eater so I will never turn down the offer of help cleaning up after meal times!
- Deirdre McCormack
Wellies and Blu-tack: At the moment I have a lady obsessed with wellies. Right up until the moment we tuck her into bed she wears them.
Blu-tack is a firm favorite with our older girl. We’ve had numerous conversations about how it’s really not OK to take it off the posters in playschool, but it still seems to find its way into her pockets.
- Nicola Barry
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