Or the toddler girl may take joy at jumping off of a pier only to find herself in water over her head. The young child does not engage in these unplanned or dangerous events to irritate parents or end up in the hospital. The toddler is impulsive and oriented toward exploration and growing up. The toddler doesn't even know he or she is at risk. The toddler must always have responsible supervision.
All children thrive on a dependable routine.
The toddler, experiencing so many developmental thrusts, desperately needs routine. Your toddler may resist following a routine, but remember, you are the parent. This does not mean you can't make exceptions, you can and should. All families need to be flexible. However, once a parenting plan has been established, try to set a similar routine for eating and naps at both homes.