Preparing For A Toddler

Infanticipating couples or families usually prepare for the baby by:

• Painting and decorating the nursery
• Setting up the crib, car seat, carrier, stroller, playpen, high chair
• Washing, ironing, folding, sorting the baby clothes and accessories
• Shopping for age appropriate toys
• Looking for a competent pediatrician
• Research baby names online or through books

But, how do we prepare for a toddler? The ways listed below are based on my own experience with my toddler.

• Buy sturdy furniture
• Also a sturdy bed and mattress for jumping
• Have completely washable walls as they are canvasses for the scribbler
• Watch out for paint that's starting to peel, or this might happen:

Doesn't it look like a silhouette of an animal in slouchy jeans?

• Remove fragile items within her reach, goodbye to centerpieces on the coffee table
• Expect magazine pages to go missing
• Be creative
• Be armed with PATIENCE (something I am still learning)

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Proverbs 25:15

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8

⁵in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 2 Corinthians 6:5-7

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

¹⁰And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully ¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:10-12

¹²Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Note: Bible verses from BibleGateway.com