Topics: toddler

Many parents complain and confused from how to parenting their toddler. Some are screaming, refuse doing anything, having tantrums, yanking, and other behaviors that make all parents want to scream under their pillow.

Actually, parenting is one of the most playful, challenging, tricky, and heart-opening experiences in life. Every child will have moods. Big moods! Lots of them! So, how do parents deal with all these ups and downs moments? What can we really do to help our toddler feel better?

If a toddler is screaming and upset, the only number one point of focus should be on keeping ourselves calm. Focus on us first. Obviously we love our child and we want him to feel better. But in order to be the most effective at doing this, we must feel better about ourselves. Children are emotional magnets and pick up on moods easily. Body language and tone of voice speak volumes, and kids are especially open to these things.

After we manage to be calm, take many times of inhaling and exhaling, and feel open-minded about our beloved child. Try some methods to make everything easier and fun for both the parents and toddlers, try these following below when your toddler won’t listen:

Singing your own funny song. You don’t have to be Barney to entertain your toddler with cute and laughable song, just be relax and flexible will make every song is funny enough for kids – “Let see how this naughty cute sweater warm and hug you …” or “I’m going to wash those elephants right out of your hair …” or a parody of your own making. The more nonsensical and outrageous the lyrics, the more likely your toddler will be distracted by them. Use the same silly song each time you perform that related to the activities your toddler should do, like shampooing, dressing, etc.

Acting very silly. Put the mittens to the dog when your toddler refuse to don them, or struggle pretending wearing your toddler’s coat when he resisting wearing it. With any luck, the game will not only yield giggles, but results, too: “No, my mittens !! My coat !!”

Showing your funny face. Again, you don’t have to be Jim Carey to entertain your toddler with funny and ridiculous face. Puffed out cheeks, a scrunched-up mouth, a protruding tongue – improvise until you tickle the funny bone and make your toddler forget what it was he didn’t want to do.

Uncharacteristic strange sounds. Any strange funny sounds would always cheer your toddler. High, low, squeaky, creaky, mouse-like, clown-like, animal-like, are all sounds that amuse all kids. If you’re one of those talented parents who can produce realistic sound effects (a buzzer, horn, siren, animal imitation, or what have you), use them to amuse and catch resisting toddler off guard.

Setting an imaginary lay out. A toddler who’s resisting a pair of shoes may relent if you play “shoe store”. Line up a few pairs that are obviously not toddler-size and suggest “Let’s try these on” after giggling his or her way through a couple of wacky misfits, your toddler may relish trying on a pair that’s “just right”/ Likewise, play “beauty shop” at bath time, “clothing store” at dressing time, “restaurant” at meal time

Playing with character. Shampoos are much more fun when Big Bird dies the sudsing, shoes are much less of a bother to have buckled when Dumbo does the honors. Becoming one of your toddler’s favorite story book or television characters can make it easier to get almost any unpleasant job done.

“Ups, Mom’s mistakes !!” game. As someone small who’s always being told what to do and how to do it, nothing gives your toddler more enjoyment than showing you the errors of your ways. The purpose of this game is to give your child that distinct pleasure while giving you the distinct pleasure of his or her compliance. For example, when you want your toddler to drink his milk, for instance you could say “Oh, boy – yum, yum, my milk is very delicious; I think I’m going to drink it”. Your toddler would instantly correct you by saying “My milk, I want that”.

Reverse psychology. Sometimes, for a very rebellious and stubborn kid, a little reverse psychology, such as saying “Don’t you dare eat that broccoli” or “Don’t you ever try get into that bathtub” would probably very effective to avoid conflict. Using reverse psychology allows both of you to have it your way – he has satisfaction of doing something that you specifically told him not to do, and you have the satisfaction of seeing him do what you really want. In other words, it’s win-win game. However, you should mark this method only to deal with difficult situation, not to get in it over and over again, or your child would get used to rebel or the time. Also pay attention to the words you say, for example “Do run out in the street” or “Go ahead, play with that knives and matches” would never be accepted.

Gotcha !! gambling. Everyone loves to win a bet, and toddlers are no exception. The challenge “I bet you can’t get your shoes on before I get mine on” can motive a child to move faster than nagging, threatening, pleading, and screaming combined. There’s incentive not only to win the bet but to prove you wrong. An important rule of the game is if your toddler takes you up on your wager, let him win – even if it means putting your shoes on at a snail’s pace, singing in an exaggeratedly slow fashion, or taking two minutes to count to ten. Without satisfaction of winning, your toddler’s much less likely to accept your wager next time. It is important that there be no payoff in this game, other than the fun of coming in first. You dint want to start promoting full-fledged gambling.

Giggly games. Hold a hand-washing contest (who can suds up faster?); a mitten donning race (who can get their mittens in first?); a pick-up party (who can stash away more toys?)