When do they start 'getting' things?

My kids are 2.5 and it feels that they are so behind on some things. They're still pretty speech delayed so it's hard to really know what they understand and what they don't and hard not to treat them like babies still... We're still in diapers here, they've never showed any sign that they even understand that potties are for peeing, no matter how many times I've said 'mommy's peeing on the potty' etc... Still in cribs and I'm starting to talk about big girl/boy beds to try and get them excited about it, but they don't seem to get it... I'm waiting for some kind of awareness to potty train and twin beds but it seems that we're a way off! I'd really like them to be excited when we move to twin beds... plus in cribs they still turn all over so I can't imagine what a disaster it's going to be if we try to switch them to a regular bed with pillow and comforter...

When we go out they still run all over the place and don't even look back to see if we're following... seriously our two last family outings have been a disaster, with dh and I ending up arguing because it's just insane (or he takes off without looking after the kids and I end up having to look after both etc). Then I end up with two kids and I don't find dh (ok this turned into a vent lol).

And at the same time, they put things in the trash and sink when they're done with them, they call the dog to clean up when they've made a mess, they know to put their clothes in the hamper etc... maybe it's just the speech delay that is making it so hard?

 

Have you spoken to your speech therapist about it? It's possible that the speech delay could be causing them to be behind in some areas. But they could just be kids who are not ready to PT and are happy with their cribs. My DS is 2 yrs 10 months and is happy as a clam in his crib. He has not climbed out and we discussed a big boy bed with him and his sister is in a toddler bed and he is indifferent about the whole thing. It took some practice and time for my kids stay with us during stroller free outings, we started out with the harness back packs and then with small walks around the neighborhood without the backpacks and now they are pretty decent about staying nearby us. That being said, when I am by myself with them, unless it's a short trip, I feel more comfortable with them being in a stroller

 

They do GREAT if we walk around the neighborhood, it's in crowded places that they go nuts. Otherwise I just don't really see them getting excited about anything but the idea of having a cookie or a smoothie right now, lol.

 

:laughing: I love that they call the dog to clean up when they make a mess. I think kids just do things in their own time. I've seen some kids my girls age who seem years ahead of my girls, and then there are others who seem a lot younger than them. Ditto what Nancy said - I'd ask your speech therapist about it.

 

My twins have not been ready to do the things you've mentioned until nearly three. IRL people are always surprised when I tell them how many people I know OL who have PT'd kids by 2.5 b/c that wasn't the case for them. My DD PT'd a month before her third bday, but DS is not at all ready. They look at me like I'm a bit silly for worrying that he's not ready. FWIW, they're Pedi said many kids don't PT until 3.5, but the big reason parents want their kids PT'd early is for 3 year old preschool. You can definitely talk to your pedi and speech therapist, but it might just be they're not ready. GL!

 

I just moved mine into toddler beds (just turned 2) and I was sooo scared because they looove their cribs and have a speech delay, so I couldn't explain it. They transitioned so much easier than i imagined!! They love their toddler beds.

 

Mine weren't ready to PT until 3. They expressed some interest, but it was like a switch went off when they turned 3 and then they just got it. I moved them to toddler beds at 2 1/2 because I thought they'd be ready and they were getting heavy for me to lift in and out of the cribs. I look back at pictures from last year and my girls were still babies in a lot of ways. A year later they are totally KIDS!

 

I think this is yet another example of "all kids are different". My guys talk about poop, tell me when they need a diaper change, etc. so I think it's time to start trying to PT, and they do listen pretty well when we're out (we make them hold hands while walking), and are very verbal. However, they're not helping clean up the table or putting clothes in the hamper (I wish they would!). They also are not anywhere near ready for twin beds, and can't walk up stairs (they're too short so they have to climb on hands and knees.)

It sounds like your LOs are advanced in some ways, and not in others, just like my guys.

 

I agree that all kids are different and it's amazing how quick they do get things...
My ds has the speech delays as well and that does make some things harder.
We are transitioning to toddler beds in the next week and have talked about it but until they see it, I'm pretty sure they aren't getting it. My dd is totally ready to PT and we will be doing that as soon as they are in beds but my ds with the delay is no where near ready and that's okay. I'm hoping he'll be ready in a couple months when he turns 3.
Just give it time :hug:

 

as for potty training... depends on what you want... I don't think that mine expressed all the signs... but I wanted them to potty train, so we started. it hasn't been an easy route, but with that said its nice now that its mainly done and they are SO darn cute when they run over to you and say they need to pee when we're out and about... they really have gotten "it" and i can't imagine them in diapers anymore. I'm not saying that to put any one down, just that its interesting how it all works for different families.

(*I did the 3 day potty training plan that I bought the ebook online, for the most part it worked wonders! and she guarantees it once the kids are 20 months or older...)

with that said, I finally gave up diapers mid August and just this week did my ds finally start pooping in the potty! so ... for 2 months he basically would go in his underwear... ugh! mainly when he went to sleep b/c then he could let loose.

anyway, for us, its been overall worth it but I can see how it would be easier to just change the diapers and not deal with accidents. good luck figuring it out for your kids.

as for big beds... we tried that at 24 months for 2 months... UGH! I went back to cribs with tents... I really would like to have them in beds, but right now bedtime isn't the smoothest...