6 things I really won’t miss about raising a one-year-old

My one-year-old is utterly adorable; in fact, I’d say it’s the cutest age by far. BUT he’s also a complete nightmare! I don’t want to wish time away but here are six things I definitely won’t miss when he’s no longer a mighty one-year-old.

1. Food all over the floor

I know he’s only little and still learning about eating and working out what he likes, but c’mon enough is enough! He throws almost everything on the floor, even when he’s hungry and it’s food he actually likes. I only give him little bits at a time to try and avoid this and often feed him at a small table and chair instead of the highchair, but still there it goes! He genuinely gets a kick out of doing it and then once I’ve given up, he happily eats bits off the floor. It’s so annoying and such a mess to clean up. And food requiring a spoon or a squeezy pouch is even worse.

2. The nappy struggle

Babies all get to that wriggly stage and my bub is right there at the moment! Changing his nappy is quite a challenge now, especially when he does a poo (which is often!). He twists and turns and yanks himself away, or puts his legs or hands down there and gets poo all over himself, me and his clothes. I know he’ll be in nappies for a little while longer, but I think I’m going to start toilet training quite early this time because not only does he seem quite keen on the toilet (see next point), but changing his nappy is such a pain!

3. Toilet shenanigans

My baby LOVES the toilet. He loves putting his hand in the bowl and trying to throw things in it, but what he loves the most is the toilet brush. We have three bathrooms now and if we don’t remember to shut the door, as quick as lightening he’s in there grabbing the toilet brush and running off towards the other end of the house. Who wants icky toilet water dripped all over their home? NOBODY, that’s who.

4. Ransacking cupboards and drawers

If there’s a cupboard or drawer within reach, my son is guaranteed to open it and take everything out which not only makes a big mess but can be potentially dangerous, depending on what he’s getting his hands on. Many items get lost or broken this way too. I guess I could put some baby locks on but we’ve recently renovated and don’t want to ruin our beautiful new cupboards.

5. Not being able to leave stuff around

We can’t leave ANYTHING lying around or within his reach (and he’s tall for his age). TV remotes, jewellery, wallets, small pieces of LEGO, books, candles, cat food – you name it, the list goes on. Whatever it is, he will either destroy it, swallow or choke on it, or hurt himself with it. This would be quite challenging in itself but when you also have two other children as I do, it’s near impossible! Darn his curious ways.

5. Danger at every turn

Everything and everyone is a potential hazard to my baby. Whether it’s bumping into sharp corners, trying to pull a hot tea on himself, being stepped on, eating a dead worm, falling down stairs, being scratched by the cat, touching power sockets, wandering onto the road, swallowing batteries, drowning scares or even cutting himself with sharp rocks at the beach – you can’t relax for a minute. Frankly, it’s amazing how the human race survives!

6. Limited communication

Baby babble is super cute but not very helpful! My son can say a few words but isn’t consistent at all so communication is pretty difficult. Even though I look for signs and am pretty intuitive, it will be nice when he can tell me himself if he’s hungry or thirsty, wants a toy or is feeling unwell. I almost drove him to the hospital the other week because he was screaming so much and didn’t know why – turns out he had a nasty poo in his nappy which was causing a painful nappy rash. Imagine what the nurses would have said if I’d rocked up to emergency!

Moving right along

Okay I’m no fool, I have two other kids and know lots of other more challenging phases are ahead of me. And I’m sure that before I know it, I’ll be looking back on this stage with my one-year-old (rose-coloured glasses firmly in place) and miss it terribly. But for now? I’m looking forward to saying good riddance!