Toddlers want to be independent, but also need to be close to a parent.
This is still true for your eighteen-month-old. You may be feeling confused and
frustrated with the messages your child gives you. One minute your toddler demands
to dress "me self". The next minute your toddler is clinging to your legs and
refusing to go to childcare. This is a tough time for both toddlers and parents.
Your child is feeling a full range of emotions at growing up. They feel excitement
to fear and anxiety. You may both be exhausted with the intensity of it all.
Comfort objects, sometimes called transitional objects, may be very important to your
child at this time. Becoming independent from parents is challenging for your toddler. Blankies,
stuffed animals, or pacifiers can be comforting for toddlers. You may find yourself packing that
old raggedy bunny every time you go out. Or you may be frantically calling childcare if that
favorite blanket gets left behind. A comfort object is a healthy way for your child to cope
with all the changes they are going through.
