Sahail AshrafThe Obsessive Compulsive Toddler
January 31st 2007 04:13
Cheese and bread will only be eaten separately. No cheese sandwich for me! A broken biscuit? There’s no way I’m eating that! Water in a blue cup? Where’s my green one?
Sound familiar? No, it’s not the echoing of someone with an obsessive compulsive disorder. It’s your toddler. And no, there’s nothing wrong with it. This type of ritualistic behaviour is not a sign there’s something wrong with your toddler, rather it’s all completely normal and a sign your child is developing well.
When I first noticed signs of this with my daughter we all had a good laugh about her behaviour. I too thought it was a cute nuance of hers until I understood that most toddlers go through this same phase.
Princess Toddler’s fastidiousness became evident a few months ago. She began wiping up every bit of leftover food and picking up any scrap of dirt on the floor. She’d routinely stick out her hands, and with a look of great horror, say ‘crumb,’ ‘crumb,’ until the offending piece of bread was removed with a cloth. One day I was in a clothing store when Princess Toddler found a tiny piece of cotton on the ground. She picked it up between thumb and forefinger, showed it to the sales assistant and said ‘yuck.’ I could just picture her running her finger over the mantelpiece looking for dust next!
But luckily, this is just a big developmental milestone. At Princess Toddler’s 18 month old check up the health nurse actually asked me if she picks up tiny pieces of lint and shows her disgust at them. Knowing the nurse was unlikely to be psychic, I said ‘yes’ with surprise, and retold my shopping story. I discovered all kids of this age do and should engage in this type of behaviour.
The next phase was the broken biscuit phenomenon. We were at a restaurant and I had brought the rest of the dry biscuits I had along for a snack. Princess Toddler was happily munching away on them until all the whole biscuits were gone. Then, alas, there were only broken ones left. Thinking nothing of it I handed her one of the broken ones and Princess Toddler suddenly became quite upset. It took me a while to realize it was because the biscuit was broken that she was so distraught. A bit of quick distraction did the trick, but from then on only Mum got the broken ones!
So next time your toddler appears a little over the top you don’t need to worry that she’ll be washing her hands fifty times a day by the time she’s three. It’s all part of finding her place in the world and is perfectly natural. And make the most of your toddler being happy to help out with the cleaning! I’m sure it won’t last long!
Sound familiar? No, it’s not the echoing of someone with an obsessive compulsive disorder. It’s your toddler. And no, there’s nothing wrong with it. This type of ritualistic behaviour is not a sign there’s something wrong with your toddler, rather it’s all completely normal and a sign your child is developing well.
When I first noticed signs of this with my daughter we all had a good laugh about her behaviour. I too thought it was a cute nuance of hers until I understood that most toddlers go through this same phase.
Princess Toddler’s fastidiousness became evident a few months ago. She began wiping up every bit of leftover food and picking up any scrap of dirt on the floor. She’d routinely stick out her hands, and with a look of great horror, say ‘crumb,’ ‘crumb,’ until the offending piece of bread was removed with a cloth. One day I was in a clothing store when Princess Toddler found a tiny piece of cotton on the ground. She picked it up between thumb and forefinger, showed it to the sales assistant and said ‘yuck.’ I could just picture her running her finger over the mantelpiece looking for dust next!
But luckily, this is just a big developmental milestone. At Princess Toddler’s 18 month old check up the health nurse actually asked me if she picks up tiny pieces of lint and shows her disgust at them. Knowing the nurse was unlikely to be psychic, I said ‘yes’ with surprise, and retold my shopping story. I discovered all kids of this age do and should engage in this type of behaviour.
The next phase was the broken biscuit phenomenon. We were at a restaurant and I had brought the rest of the dry biscuits I had along for a snack. Princess Toddler was happily munching away on them until all the whole biscuits were gone. Then, alas, there were only broken ones left. Thinking nothing of it I handed her one of the broken ones and Princess Toddler suddenly became quite upset. It took me a while to realize it was because the biscuit was broken that she was so distraught. A bit of quick distraction did the trick, but from then on only Mum got the broken ones!
So next time your toddler appears a little over the top you don’t need to worry that she’ll be washing her hands fifty times a day by the time she’s three. It’s all part of finding her place in the world and is perfectly natural. And make the most of your toddler being happy to help out with the cleaning! I’m sure it won’t last long!
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
The broken biscuit phase. My older 2 did (still do) and my 3rd isn't quite there yet.
But apparently the broken biscuit really sends their world off centre. Can't quite remember the details but because it's not "the norm" they begin to worry that they can be broken too. It sounds crazy I know but it's something like that. I was a bit blown away by it and the only information I retained was "don't give the toddler the broken biscuit and everything will be alright".
Love how their little minds work.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Candice
Yes, you're right. From what I've read the toddler's thought is that if a biscuit can be broken so can they. I guess it's similar to how they think if water can fit down the drain pipe then so can they.
The other theory is that toddlers haven't yet grasped the concept that everything isn't perfect. They expect everyone and everything around them to be perfect.
The logic of the toddler mind certainly is compelling. It's definitely cause for a few giggles to myself too!
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
it is refreshing however to know that everyone goes through it and it's not just the commands of our own 'royal princesses' ! ; )
Comment by Candice
'Royal princesses' is a great description. We certainly bow down to our little ones. She gets the whole biscuits and I get thrown the crumbs LOL.
Though it helped me get a bit less frustrated with my daughter when I learned how she sees things, and to know that all toddlers go through this.
Thanks for dropping by.
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
Might not stop the whingeing, but can give you a healthier perspective while dealing with it!