The Terrible Twos. Terrible Threes is more like it because the boy was definitely an easier toddler when he was 2 compared to when he’s 3.
I could handle him then because we’d enjoy going to the supermarket, the bakery or to the sundry shop together. While I cooked, he would watch TV, play with his toys or my kitchen utensils while I cook.
I could even take a bath in peace because he’ll wait for Mummy as he watches TV.
We’d then play blocks together, read, dance or do some simple crafts together. If I needed to unpack / pack for summer / winter clothes, he’d be happy to drive his truck around the boxes or climb in and and out of the boxes…
Then, we’d have a nap and I’d wake earlier to blog or do my own thing. In the evenings, we’d have tea and then go for a walk in the playground or park until it’s time for dinner.
Although he’s an active child, he’s quite a sunny child not prone to tantrums. I only recall a BIG tantrum once when he insisted on eating a lollipop or chocolate before lunch despite my saying he’ll get it AFTER the meal.
His chants of “Ai lollipop! Ai lollipop! (or choc-kruht)” grew louder and louder which I ignored. When they crescendoed into loud shouts, I warned him that he’s going to the room.
He didn’t stop and of course, Mummy picked him up (kicking and screaming) and put him on the bed. Of course, he cried and yelled saying that he wanted to come out but I put up my finger and said,
“No, you stay in the room. You’re very naughty. Mummy said no lollipop until after lunch.”
The Toddler continued to protest and I repeated the rules a few times and went back to the hall.
He cried a while longer and then yelled for his water bottle and bolster. I gave them to him without a word.
Finally, he yelled,
“Ai go outside!”
I said stop crying. He stopped and the toddler rejoined society 
When he got older, he’d get up to so much mischief, I worried (and stressed) about being alone with him at home:
- he’d take a stool and “check” the fridge, sometimes pulling at plates / containers above him and risk something heavy falling on his head;
- he’d also want to make himself “honey and water” by taking a spoon from the dish drainer, a mug from the dryer and attempt to get at the honey jar on the fridge;
- the ENDLESS trips to the toilet to pee;
- he’d try to unlock the balcony grille;
- he’s really curious about the burners because he finds the “blue fire” sparking into light AMAZING (no way of installing a safety gate or locking the sliding doors) and
- he’s curious about the iron, the TV and the WIRES all coming out from various electrical appliances.
When we’re napping, he’d usually roll around the bed if he wakes up first and wait for me to wake. Nowadays, he’ll yell “Wake up!” which is fine but sometimes, I wake up finding that he’s gone to the hall and turned on the TV and DVD player himself!
Besides the safety issues, I’m also driven half-mad by his toddler antics:
- sticking a slice of KRAFT cheese on the wall. Did you know that cheese sticks perfectly on the wall? Boy, it took me a while to scrape it off!!!
- driving his truck / scooter all around the apartment while I’m waiting in the toilet after he announces, “Ai pee!”. It’s really annoying that we have to wait for him to reach the toilet…
- drops a short paintbrush into an empty 2 gallon drinking water container and asks me to get it out.
- uses the same paintbrush to “paint” all over the walls – there’s no paint but the bristles actually made horizontal lines all over the apartment!
- finds a packet of tissues in my bag and tore 10 pieces of tissues into 1,000 tiny little pieces which he scattered all over the hall! I was cooking dinner then and only discovered the mess when I went to take a break O_O
He’s so energetic and curious that we agreed he’s ready for preschool when he was 2 and a half! Thankfully, he loves his playschool, enjoys all the activities (and his teachers and ayi) and Mummy is also happier to see him at the end of the day 
One mother who’d seen this toddler racing around once assured me that he’d “slow down” when he reached 3 years old. From the looks of it, he’s speeding up! God help us…
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Eh I left a comment last week one wor, how come never appear one…anyway, I was saying no wonder you said you can’t handle another tyke
A Mom’s Diary – Yikes, did you? It could have been swallowed by spam, which I don’t have the stomach to check.
Yes, he is a handful and I hope that I can find a preschool in Penang he’d like (and vice versa) as much as the one here.