Anyone else struggling with this stage?

Finding it hard as well! He wants to be independent and will do the opposite of what I say if he's grumpy! The car seat battle is the worst! He instantly tries to slide out

Parks and fields where she can run around and can't get in too much trouble

It can be a lot! I find that child friendly spaces with minimal no's can really help. They're so little, and lack control in basically every area of life, so something as small as being gently moved away from a danger can feel like the end of the world to them. So a field, an enclosed park, I let my little one run down the freezer aisle in the supermarket etc. My method is to comfort through tantrums and so it takes a lot of patience. I stay patient by practicing gratitude as often as I can throughout the day (eg, when I'm folding laundry I focus on how small his clothes are and think of how much I wished for him. Then I find myself thinking about how small his clothes once were, and how fast he's growing up. How every phase that feels hard has come and gone, and this one will too) and I regularly find myself naturally saying now "how did I get so lucky", "wow, I'm blessed" while literally just playing cars or watching him play. Mindset plays a HUGE part, but so does the load that is placed on you and the

2/ the support system you have. Ask for help if you're able to. I don't have childcare and family or friends don't babysit but telling my wife "I need a minute" and going and scrolling or journalling can make me come back really refreshed. Also, you don't have to 'do' anything about the anger and tears. Giving control where you can, letting them choose things or lead the way on a walk, being slow to respond and as calm and patient as you can are great and usually help, but toddlers are gonna be toddlers and they're going to get upset. It's not your job as a mum to make sure they never have anger or sadness, it's just your job to guide them through it. Let her feel the feelings, offer a hug and if she refuses (as long as she's not hurting anyone or being dangerous) then just let her have a tantrum or shout or cry. You'll be there to help her pick up the pieces when she's ready to coregulate ❤️❤️ you've got this xx