| Oh no! A monster has invaded your sweet little toddler! | | | | smarter he will get at manipulating circumstances into |
| Where did that loving, little angel go? Why is she | | | | his favor! If he knows he can push certain buttons to |
| constantly throwing fits? And she sure knows how to | | | | get what he wants now, imagine what he will be able |
| push your buttons! Welcome to the terrible two's. | | | | to come up with in about ten years! And that time |
| Your toddler is learning so many new and exciting | | | | comes real fast!oNever give in to a temper tantrum. It |
| things. She is realizing she has new limitations and is | | | | is one of the hardest things you will have to do during |
| struggling to gain as much independence as she | | | | this stage of your toddler's life. Your toddler will know |
| possibly can. | | | | exactly how to pull at your heart strings. And if pulling |
| Personalities in children vary from child to child. | | | | at your heart strings doesn't work, she will go to the |
| Every child is born with his or her own personality. | | | | embarrassment tactic. You know the one, she asks |
| Some children are strong willed, while others more | | | | for that stuffed animal for the hundredth time and for |
| easy going. Whatever your child's personality is, it is | | | | the hundredth time you have said "No!" Then she |
| your job to shape your child's life through consistent, | | | | starts in with her screaming and crying at the top of |
| loving, and firm discipline. | | | | her lungs. Until....you are so embarrassed or frustrated |
| Parenting help for toddlers | | | | that you just give in! Don't do it! All parents have been |
| One of the most important things you can do to | | | | there before. Other parents know exactly what you |
| reduce temper tantrums and to keep your child safe is | | | | need to do. Do not worry about what the other people |
| to eliminate temptation. If your toddler keeps getting | | | | are thinking. Once you give in, your toddler is more |
| into something, move it to a higher place. Of course, | | | | likely to throw more temper tantrums. Even if it takes |
| your toddler needs to learn that there are some things | | | | them an hour or two, if they know you will give in, they |
| he just can't have. He will have plenty of practice at | | | | can be relentless! |
| learning this lesson through life. However, until he can | | | | Parenting advice of discipline for toddlers: |
| learn how to handle the challenges life has to offer, | | | | Unfortunately, there will come a time that your toddler |
| maybe you can help him by creating a safer | | | | will have to be disciplined. Verbal communication is |
| environment for him.oBegin each day with a routine. | | | | enough when your child has simply made a mistake or |
| During this time, your child needs consistency. Create | | | | had an accident. You can use this mistake as a |
| your routine starting with when she wakes up in the | | | | learning experience for your toddler. Show him another |
| morning until she goes to bed at night. Remember to | | | | way he could have handled a situation. |
| include meal times and nap times. Stick to the schedule | | | | Punishment should follow correcting a bad behavior or |
| as much as possible. The fewer changes you make in | | | | bad attitude. The purpose of punishment is not to crush |
| your toddler's daily schedule, the fewer surprises your | | | | a child's inner spirit. It is to begin to teach him that his |
| child will have to contend with. Fewer surprises will | | | | actions have consequences. This is a time for him to |
| mean fewer tantrums!oGive your toddler as much | | | | learn his own self control. This will give him the |
| independence as possible but add limitations. Because | | | | knowledge to learn how to control his actions. As a |
| your child is learning independence, allowing as much | | | | general rule, you would put your toddler in time-out for |
| independence as possible will help him learn. Give him | | | | one minute per year of age. However, for a toddler, |
| limited choices or small responsibilities as to not | | | | you might try 30 second time-outs to see what works |
| overwhelm him, such as putting on his own shoes and | | | | for your child. The point of time out is to reflect on |
| clothes, or picking out between two pair of pajamas. | | | | what he has done, and to regain self control not to |
| Allow him to be successful at as much as he can, this | | | | scare your toddler. |
| will give him confidence and increase his | | | | Change your perspective |
| self-esteem.oBe firm with your toddler. Although you | | | | To help you get through the trying times, try to put |
| want to allow him some freedom, it is your duty as a | | | | things into perspective. A positive attitude can mean |
| parent to set limitations. Your toddler looks up to you | | | | the difference between a happy home and a battle |
| to make the grown up decisions that will affect his life. | | | | zone. Try to praise your child often. She is more likely |
| Once you have created a routine and you allow limited | | | | to repeat this behavior if she knows it will make you |
| choices, you must be firm. Do not give into his | | | | happy. Remember those cute little things your child |
| demands. He will try to test those boundaries. It seems | | | | does that makes smile, like the little dance she does, or |
| as if it is your child's goal in life! You do not have to be | | | | the squishy hugs. When you feel frustrated, take a |
| mean to be firm. Just use a calm, serious voice and do | | | | time-out yourself and remind yourself of what makes |
| not give in. This is a critical time in your relationship with | | | | your child so special to you. After all, your child is a |
| your child. He is learning what he can and can't get | | | | blessing. |
| away with! And believe me, the older he gets, the | | | | |