More than any other stage of a child's life, that of the “terrible twos” worries many new parents. The description of this period as terrible traditionally refers to the two-year-old's penchant to say “No!” and to demand that things go exactly the way the child wants. And although such petulant behavior can create problems for both parent and child, it marks an important stage in your child's development: the achievement of a budding independence. For, in reality, this second year is a remarkable time indeed, centered around a curiosity-driven recognition of one's self and of the development of interests.