Parents: Top Twenty Tips for Toddler Taming
- Get support!
- Ideals versus Reality. Do your best.
- Is your child’s behaviour trying to tell you that they need more attention, a feeling of control, safety or comfort?
- Ignore the behaviour, not the child.
- When what they want is not OK try to meet their need in another, acceptable way.
- Many behaviours are phases.
- Learn about child development so you have realistic expectations.
- Predict tantrums and learn little tricks to diffuse them before they reach the point of no return.
- Sing, sing, sing!
- Consequences, not punishments.
- When explaining things to your toddler remember to KISS! (Keep It Simple Sweetie!)
- Tell your child what to do, not what not to do.
- TV is not good for a toddler’s social or language development. Limit it, watch it together and talk about
it, or ban it altogether. - Be open about your needs with your partner and support people.
- When you need to say no to your child, make it sound like a yes. (Yes, you can have that later…)
- Speak with other parents about the challenges and the joys.
- Develop your empathy by remembering your childhood.
- Hot buttons are growth points!
- You are the adult.
- Conflicting advice doesn’t mean one is wrong. It means that what works for some does not work for others.
- Don’t ask a question you don’t want “no” to.
One more for good luck!