Toddler This Week: 22 Months, Week 2

"Me do it!" is a frequent refrain among 22-month-olds. As your toddler becomes more self-aware, he'll likely want to do more things for himself. Setting limits is important, but you can let your toddler take the lead sometimes, like choosing which clothes to wear (even if it means a mismatched outfit), wetting the toothbrush, or turning the bathroom light on or off. By encouraging independence now, you'll help your toddler grow into a confident preschooler.

Interruptions are a way for your child to ask for your attention. It's annoying – but effective!

A toddler most often interrupts when her parents seem to disappear (in spirit if not in body) for long periods, such as during telephone conversations or computer sessions. Try to remain present with your child by limiting those kinds of activities unless she's napping or deeply absorbed in play. When you're busy, maintain contact by ruffling her hair and looking over and smiling at her.

Saying "just a minute" is rarely effective because your 22-month-old has little idea of how long a "minute" is. And a minute feels like an eternity, anyway! Do a quick check to make sure she doesn't need anything more than attention – for example, a fresh diaper.

Don't give in right away. It only teaches your child that interrupting is socially acceptable and effective. But keep your expectations realistic. A two-minute phone conversation? Fine. Half an hour? Too long for a toddler to tolerate.

What to do with all those clothes your child seems to outgrow every three months? Consider a clothing swap with neighbors, a playgroup, or another social network. Have everybody bring what no longer fits and trade for new items. You could also turn old clothes over to a consignment shop or donate them to charity.

Of course, if you're planning to enlarge your family, you'll want to hang on to some of them. Store outgrown clothing in boxes labeled by size and season for easy access later.

-BabyCenter.com