I guess its complain about my Husband week as seen in this post.My husband & I often disagree on what type of expectations we should have of our toddler. I tend to be on the more strict side while he tends to have a “ kids will be kids” attitude. While I agree that we should not expect behaviors of her that are beyond her comprehension or abilities. I don’t see anything wrong with having certain expectations because how else will she learn right from wrong?


If you shrug every behavior off as a kids will be kids behavior than I think your going to have a stinker on your hands. I will give you a recent example of a dilemma and perhaps you can offer some insight on what’s a proper expectation to have of a toddler in this situation. We went out to dinner last night and Livi was in a highchair at the end of the small booth. Livi kept kicking me very hard under the table. I asked her not to, told her she was hurting me and touched her foot under the table and told her Mama’s legs were under there with hers. I then moved her chair slightly and I moved a tad. I could not move far away enough and she could still swing hard and was hurting me.

I verbally reprimanded her by saying please don’t kick Mama. I also placed my hand on her legs showing her how to keep them still. My husband said, “ just move” and “ she is only two”. I did not wish to move and eat along side the wall, besides my booth side was full of her coat, my coat, purse and diaper bag. I also sit closer to her to assist her in cutting & eating her food. I felt she needed to learn to share a space. I felt that asking her not to kick me was not asking to much.


She is a smart child and I believe she is capable to follow a simple directive. In fact she stopped kicking me. I guess I want her to learn not to kick in certain situations and not everyone she encounters will just concede. I wanted her to know that when she kicked that she was hurting me. I know toddlers have not mastered cause & effect thinking but she does know what “ouch” means and has learned empathy. Do you think I’m expecting too much of her in that situation? What would you have done? Is it wrong to have expectations of a toddler? Be honest I can take it. I really do want your honest opinions.

All next week I will honestly address frequently asked adoption questions

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great article on surviving the toddler years & expectations