You’ve seen the mother – the one in the shopping centre/book store/cafe – trying desperately to hold an octopus to her side, the octopus’ head bouncing against the mother’s thigh, all eight octopus tentacles reaching in different directions. The mother trying not to lose her wallet, drop the shopping, spill her coffee, lose the battle with the octopus … or her mind.
Except that what is attached to the her side is not really an octopus. The creature in question is just a small person – one who weighs less than 10kgs (22lb). And – at last count, although with all of the thrashing about I can’t be sure – the creature only had two arms and two legs.
The woman described above was me on two separate occasions this weekend. Welcome to the world of the toddler discovering independence, and don’t even get me started about trying to strap her into safely the car seat, her stroller or trying to dress her or change her nappy! These should all be Olympic sports. Toddler pentathlon anyone? I’m sure of a spot on the podium.
As amazing as it is to experience Bubba learning that she is a being independent of her mumma, some days it is just a downright battle of wills.
And it is exhausting.
I’d probably have more control if Bubba was an octopus!
bumpyroadtobubba 
Love the clip art! Maybe it will pass quickly 🙂
Your little octopus is growing up and discovering that she is her own person 🙂
For every stage, there are benefits (she can feed herself! she can move enough to grab her own toys!) and there are drawbacks (she falls apart if I don’t share everything I’m eating even if it’s fire-on-the-mountain spicy wings! she can move enough to stick her fingers in the outlets!). I haven’t gotten to the independent toddler stage, but I’m sure I will be simultaneously thrilled and exhausted… Best of luck with your octopus phase!
Thanks, it really is all utterly amazing, if exhausting. I’ve taken to hiding behind the pantry door to eat chocolate, because I really don’t want her to have the sugar addiction her mumma does. I love reading your blog!
Sorry but I am laughing and I know how hard you are working, I had three (one at a time) who were all amazing at those activities. Now I am getting to do it over with my niece. It builds endurance for later 🙂
Where on earth do they get the strength from? I swear she could throw me down some days, she’s so strong!