Your baby, 18 months 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 and older

Your child loves to help you around the house. He sees you sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and folding laundry and wants to do the same. Although his `help` may not always actually be helpful, try to find ways that he can help. This will teach him how to be an active member of the family and also give him a sense of accomplishment. When you are washing dishes, give your child a dampened washcloth (no cleaner) and allow him to wipe down the table or the cabinets. Buy your child a set of child-sized household tools-a broom, mop and a vacuum. He will learn how to do these things correctly by watching you. Don't scold him if he makes mistakes or does not do things that same way you do. Praise him for a job well done and continue to show him how to do things properly.

Your child is interested in playing games with you right now. Play should always be a fun form of learning. When she gets tired of playing, stop. If you turn games into work or contests that she never wins, she will become discouraged and will not want to play anymore. Do not be surprised if your child gets very upset when things do not go the way she wanted them to.

Even though it should not be expected yet, begin to lay the foundation for sharing. Children have a very hard time understanding the concept of sharing and are very good with saying, `Mine, mine!` It is perfectly okay to tell your child what is his, yours, daddy's, doggy's and so forth. However, whenever you can teach about sharing, do so. For example, when you cut a slice of cheese, tell your child that this was your cheese but that you would like to share with her. Then, hand her a piece of your cheese. If you have other children in the house or if your child is frequently exposed to other children, sharing may be an easier to task to learn. Because your child's appetites vary from day to day, it is unfair to expect your child to eat everything on their plate all of the time. Your child knows how hungry he is, let him stop when he is full. It is not wise to bribe your child with food or sweets to get good behavior. Parents and caregivers should never punish their child for eating too little or too much. Doing so may cause him to feel ashamed of his appetite and he may begin to feel guilty about eating all together. If you notice that there is always food left on his plate, you are probably giving him too much. If your child asks for more of a certain food, give it to him. If none is left, simply tell him that it is gone and offer him what is left.

As always, remember to show your growing toddler that she is important to you. Dailly hugs, kisses and words of praise will let her know that she is special. Make your child feel proud when he accomplishes a new skill. You have the power to develop who your child becomes. Many families think that their toddler knows how much they love her. This should not be the case. Always take the time to express and vocalize your love for your child.

Developmental Milestones - 18 Months Old

Physical

• Runs
• Climbs stairs
• May jump
• Creeps backwards downstairs
• Uses one hand more than the other
• Grabs anything he can reach

Intellectual

• Can say about ten words
• Can name some common objects
• Tries to sing and likes to be sung to
• Remembers where things belong
• Can turn pages in a book
• Can build a tower of 3-4 blocks
• May be able to string large colored beads

Emotional

• Likes to show off for attention
• Is afraid of thunder, lightning, animals, etc..
• Has temper tantrums
• Likes to cuddle when tired

Age Appropriate Toys

• Large beads for stringing
• Push toys
• Ride on toys
• Climbing structures
• Balls
• Books
• Musical instruments
• Dolls
• Pretend play items
• Trucks and cars
• Building items
• Bubbles

Comments:

Comments 1-25 of about 2277 for month 18
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next

suzi - 11 hours ago
I just had the scare of MY LIFE, maja started crying I ran to the other room she got a hold of these nailpolishes I bought her a long time ago. Small bottle. she had it on her face and hands. I asked her if she drank it and she said yes, so I induced her to vomit..I called dr office they gave me the posin control numer which I am now going t keep on my fridge... they said it can case minor upset stomach.. BUT I LEARNED THIS NO MATTER WHAT IF OUR KIDS DRINK SOMETHING EVEN IF ITS TOILET BOWL CLEANER NEVER NEVER MAKE THEM VOMIT CAUSE THEY CAN ASPIRATE IT AND IT CAN GO IN THERE LUNGS, THIS JUST HAPPENED AND I KNOW IM ON HERE BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU GUYS CAUSE OUR KIDS MEAN THE WORLD AND IT WAS A HUGE SCARE.. 1800-222-1222 PLEASE WRITE IT DOWN

luvbugs - Wednesday, 18 Nov
We had Ryleighs check up today-she is 22 1/2 pounds and 33.5 inches tall-my little string bean! The doctor said any of the whining she has been doing should be going away and to brace for the terrible two's! His biggest advice: sit back, laugh, and take a mental picture of how she acts. He then says we will revisit the same behavior when she is between 10 and 15 years old!

RUTHANN - Tuesday, 17 Nov
Hi, I just entered my child in the 'Parenting - Baby and Child Model Search contest' and we need your vote to help us win! You can view my entry and vote for me here: http://modelsearch.parenting.com/contests/voteformyentry/95554?sk=du+6.6 Thanks and wish me luck! Ruth86

mommyof2soon - Tuesday, 17 Nov
luvbugs that is great!! lol Greyah just does the whole crying like you just broke her heart routine everytime you tell her no! She's so dramatic!

luvbugs - Tuesday, 17 Nov
Turns out she was teething-her k9's popped through not too long after it started.

Lou-Li - Tuesday, 17 Nov
Luvbugs-- that is hilarious!! She's trying to 'throw' a tantrum, but she lowers herself onto the ground gently then does it! That's so funny, I can just picture that!! She wants the same dramatic effect but doesn't want to herself in the process!! About that month when she was whiney and whingey; was she teething? My daughter also went through that a while back and now her twin bro is going through it too- - frustrating!!

barbi - Monday, 16 Nov
If Dominik doesn't get what he wants he will drop to the ground on his tummy and bang his head on the floor, then get up crying holding his head saying 'awie'... talk about a drama king.

luvbugs - Sunday, 15 Nov
djrose-my daughter just went through that-for about a month she would just walk around and whine/cry and just be plain annoying! nothing we could do for her made her happy-now she stopped that, but learned how to put herself on the ground and throw fits! (it is so funny, she doesn't throw her self down, she gently gets on her knees then lowers herself to the belly then starts kicking and waving the arms)

babychavez - Thursday, 12 Nov
Was wondering if any of you guys have seen your LO's do this...my daughter has been tensing her face and arms sometimes. Her whole body tenses up, she balls her fists and she shakes a little bit. I've noticed she does it both when anxious about getting something she wants or just happy I guess excited. When I showed the dr. my dd imitated me. My ped said to ignore it but I don't want to ignore something that could be bad like seizures or some other neurological thing even though it doesn't seem like its seizures though. If you have seen this plz leave a message in my profile page thanks!!!!

djrose - Wednesday, 11 Nov
Hey, just want to vent a bit. but latly my son goes arond crying and winey all the time! never happy and its really really hard on the nerves, Is anyone else going threw this??

TutuGirl - Wednesday, 11 Nov
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monselena - Wednesday, 11 Nov
Can all you ladies with a myspace account please do me a HUGE favor add simply divine photography to your friends list and then vote for my photo its a school with snow and it says monselena under the caption, I really want to win the $100 free print credit this girl takes awsome pics, but its a little expensaive so Please help me so I can get awsome pics of my little one Thanks in advance www.myspace.com/simplydivinephotography And you can delete her again after you vote please I'am begging for votes

misszazy2 - Tuesday, 10 Nov
I love seeing all the different weights. So much difference. My boys are: ETHAN:25lb6oz & 32.6inches tall....BENJAMIN: 22lb11oz & 32.4inches tall...... Ben is, and has always been the little one.

amazintrace - Tuesday, 10 Nov
I found out yesterday Jonathan has pneumonia. He is being treated with antibiotics and is quickly improving now. Most of my crowd have moved on to 19 months - I guess I should move on over as well. - - - - Thanks luvmyaiden! I have seen a huge improvement in the last 24hrs. Best of luck in your recovery. My 15yr old had H1N1 and he made it look easy...I want the vaccine! NOW ... but it is hard to get around here.

anw - Tuesday, 10 Nov
I just took my Riley to the doc...she turned 18 months old yesterday and she is 34.5 inches tall! Doctor said over the 100%! She has been like this the last 3 checkups! I just can't imagine how tall she is going to be! She was just about 28 ibs, which was about 90%. She is almost as big as my 3 year old niece!

mommyof2soon - Tuesday, 10 Nov
Oh Julie that sucks!! Hope he gets better soon!

juliedueagain! - Monday, 9 Nov
my husband has h1n1 he was banished to his parents since saturday with me being prego and xander being 18months and no vacines here..

juliedueagain! - Monday, 9 Nov
Xander is 27pound 36 inches tall.. I put in for him to be accepted to this very elite only cuz it so hard to get into mothers day out.. thinking it would take a few months.. OMG they called me today.. that he can start tomorrow.. I was NO that is too soon.. so they said Thursday.. ahhhh sniff sniff sniff.. Im just not ready.. lol

shinobissushi - Sunday, 8 Nov
ari will be 18 months on the 17 and weighs 19 lbs and is prob 30 inches she hasn't budged in weight since she turned one no weight gain for 6 months

piesmum - Saturday, 7 Nov
Pie was 22lbs and 83cm tall. She got her h1n1 shot, she had a cold and she's still got it this week, poor thing. I hope she gets better soon but she's otherwise just acting as usual, she's all cheery and naughty, getting into stuff and all that.

luvmyaiden - Saturday, 7 Nov
Aiden is 26lbs, not chunky, he has slimmed right down but his face is still squishy chubby! He is very tall for his age, 87cm

luvmyaiden - Saturday, 7 Nov
I have had a crappy week. My son and I contracted H1N1 and have been quite ill. Well that's what the doctor says we have. They don't test here where I live anymore due to there being so many cases. She said all our symptoms match right to it. I have been out of work for the whole week and starting to go stir crazy. The respiratory part of it is brutal...it feels like my lungs are on fire. My poor little man has been so ill, he is on Tamiflu but he is still miserable. Sorry ladies, just had to vent. amazintrace: I feel for you and hope your little one feels better asap! It's so scary when they are so sick and we can't help much...sigh!

amazintrace - Saturday, 7 Nov
well, to add to the conversation Jonathan was 27lb and 33in. He's really not skinny at all, he just isn't chunky either.

amazintrace - Saturday, 7 Nov
Jonathan has been down sick for several days .. well, it seems like forever, but only since Wednesday night. We took him to doctor on Thursday and he tested negative for the flu. My 15 yr old tested pos LAST week on Tuesday, he took tamiflu and returned to school on Friday. We were so releaved when Jonathan tested negative >>> He woke up Friday morning with a temperature of 105.6 I was borderline histerical. Called the hospital to get the doctor on call and a doctor called back within 30 minutes. By that time I had given him an acetamenophen suppository an dunked him in a warm bath. He was down to 102.5 when the doctor was on the phone. He says he could have the flu after all, I can come in to have him re-tested, but now it is too late to treat him with tamiflu. Why bother paying another copay just to know if it is or isn't the flu? I have to let it run its course. You get them tested for the flu and the says they don't have it, but then you find out your child might have it after all. I could have stayed home and saved myself $50! Aghhh what good are they anyway.. Sorry girls I just needed to vent. My baby is so sick right now.

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