Some days you won't be able to imagine a better age. Your toddler can scribble loopy pictures for you, play peekaboo at a moment's notice, and participate happily in the ever-popular body parts game ("Where are mama's eyes?" "Where's your nose?"). Yet, on other days, your child gets so frustrated by his own limits, he'll cry and scream for what seems like hours. It can be as frustrating for you as it is for him, but it is a normal part of growing up.
Your life: coping with toddler tearsYou're learning that two-year-olds aren't the only ones to go through "terrible" phases. Your toddler may be easily overwhelmed by life's challenges and respond to them by dissolving into tears and screams. Don't ask him to stop - he probably can't. Instead be patient, available, and willing to offer him comfort or just your presence, whatever he seems to need at the moment - however awkward the situation. He'll get over it and be good as new if you let the storm blow itself out.
Keeping your toddler's teeth cleanKeeping your toddler's teeth clean and healthy is really important, particularly as they have got to last until their permanent teeth come through, usually from age six onwards. The molars that come through in the second year of teething will stay the longest. Learning to brush his own teeth is a big step in self care and a skill to encourage over the next few months, but he will still need you to give them a good going over after he has had his turn. It will be some time yet before he can brush his teeth competently.