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"The subject of this show is Toddlerhood. It’s a ferocious period in the life of a mom and a toddler when that sweet little baby begins her journey into standing up, and walking around. There she is. Little two legged wonder. A toddler. Toddling from the coffee table to the couch. Oh and then into the KITCHEN. Woa doggies, she’s headed out the back door. Bless her amazing little sweetness and WATCH OUT! There’s going to be all kinds of exciting challenges ahead.

My friend Sarah has this habit of always squatting down when she talks to little toddlers. What she’s doing, DUH, is getting down on their level, so she can see into their eyes and and also look around from their perspective. What a great idea! Imagine spending the day looking at the knees of adults, with tables and counters looming high over your head! Maybe you’ve been squatting and talking to your children for a long time now, but it struck me as that slap on the forehead.... OH I GET IT! kind of parenting technique that’s so easy to adopt. It also keeps the adult closer to the lawn or the rug, so that while toddling is going on the parent can... rest... sitting on the ground, taking it all in.... trying valiantly to stay awake for it all..."

—by Nanci Olesen
from NOW YOU MOMbo, Toddlerhood

"Surviving Toddlerhood" by Gary Hansen
A short, easy article, written by Gary Hansen, extension specialist in Sociology, for the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.:
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Sociology/toddler.htm

"Penelope Leach on Toddlerhood"
Babycentre, a website in the UK, has a page which is dedicated to a
conversation with Penelope Leach's answers to some common questions that parents of toddlers may have.

Penelope Leach is described as "one of the world's leading and most trusted authorities on parenting and child development. The author of numerous books, including the classic Your Baby and Child, now in its fourth printing. Leach lives and works in London, England.
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/general/539903

"Exodus from Toddlerhood" by Faith R. Foyil
Faith R. Foyil is a columnist, and humorist, who writes often about her life as a mom. This essay is based on the Ten Commandments. I found it entertaining...
http://www.faithfoyil.com/

Parenting Guide to Your Toddler, by Paula Spencer and the editors of Parenting Magazine
Award-winning journalist Paula Spencer writes "The Mom Next Door" column in Woman's Day magazine and is the author of seven books. A mother of four, Paula specializes in writing about parenting and family, pregnancy, women's health, and related social issues. She's a contributing editor to Parenting, Baby Talk, and Woman's Day.

I think that this kind of reference book can be helpful to many parents. I bounce back and forth between my "alternative" books and my "mainstream" books when I’m trying to figure out what’s going on in the mind and body of my child. This is a good book:
http://www.paulaspencer.com/work7.htm

I found an illuminating, one page essay about Toddlerhood at:
http://www.washburn.org/
(Washburn Child Guidance Center is a non-profit agency that provides assessment, consultation and therapeutic services for children, families and schools in the Twin Cities metro-area.)

I love those one page essays! I mean, you have a TODDLER, right?

"If there’s a toddler in your life, I hope that you’ve gleaned some insight or at least felt some companionship during this half hour of MOMbo. Enjoy these sticky days, as the juice box explodes in the back seat because your own personal two year old investigative reporter is trying out new ways to get the apple juice into her mouth."

—Nanci Olesen, "Toddlerhood,"
NOW YOU MOMbo