disaster averted

Don't kid yourself. You didn't just give birth to a baby. You gave birth to a magician. By the time the wee one learns the art of walking, they will also learn the art of disappearing: walking away from you, walking into trouble and not listening in between.

But the most impressive is when they magically transform from human to slippery fish. You know the act: It always happens in the most public place. Say, at the shoe store, at a neighborhood picnic, or when accepting a prize onstage in front of the adoring press, that your kiddo decides to go ballistic. And thank the heavens your child at least has belt loops otherwise, you might as well try and catch a snake covered in Vaseline. That trick with the arched back is impervious to any parent's hopeless attempts to grab hold of their out-of-control kin.

When I was neck deep in toddler woes, I learned my own trick. You see, I had had enough of well-meaning onlookers giving advice about the situation. I mean, when you drive by a traffic accident, do you roll down your window and shout "Hey Buddy, you should have pumped the brakes instead of steering." But yet, people find it completely acceptable if not charitable to tell a parent of a screaming toddler, "Sounds like she's hungry mama. Time to feed her!" or "I wouldn't give him an inch until he says sorry."

Here's my trick: I too would disappear. Once I get the feeling the toddler disaster train is rolling into the station, I'd simply find a quiet place for the tantrum to unfold. This accomplished several things:

*It would probably stop the tantrum before it even started since we were able to talk it out.
*Finding a quiet place gave me the chance to speak calmly and my child the chance to, in her own time, explain what the issue is with little frustration over her communication skills.
*The privacy kept onlookers at bay and their advice at the curb.

In celebration of the wonderful, walking, grabbing, screaming, laughing toddlers in our lives, here are a few items we have in store:

Papoose's felt food are to die for! Practice language skills by playing restaurant, letting your toddler take your order and serving up fun.

We've been hearing the Prince Lionheart Wheelie Toys run across the floors in our store ever since they came in. And it's for good reason. These wheelies are nothing but great times!

The Beaba Babycook grows with your youngster. In only 15 mins meat and veggies are steamed. Then just turn a dial and it purees to the consistency needed for your growing kid.

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