The ONE thing you can do today to make parenting a toddler easier

OK, so parenting a toddler is NEVER an easy task. As they are growing, they are seeing the world from a unique perspective, learning their surroundings and starting to understand how to communicate with others. So it might sometimes seem challenging to understand what they truly need. As parents, it’s hard to know exactly how they are feeling at all hours of the day – and this will just get harder as they grow up.

So if you want to make toddler parenting a little easier, it’s a good idea to try and see things from their perspective.

Parenting a toddler: Get down to their level

Getting down to their level and understanding what their frustrations are will not only strengthen the bond between you and your child but will ensure that they know they are supported. It’s important to remember that all children are different and that your child will behave differently. So it’s essential to remember that it can take a while for you to see things from their perspective. Take the time to listen to them, work with them and show them that you aren’t just their mum or dad.

By stepping back and seeing their point of view, you will notice that to them, the world is a different place. It’s a place filled with wonder and there are no barriers between the fun imaginary lands and reality.

Pay attention to their body language

A toddler might not be able to fully communicate with you yet. So take notice with any head tilts and noises that they make. This will help to possibly anticipate tantrums, and could even stop them BEFORE they are being thrown. This will help you from getting frustrated about how they can’t fully vocalise what they want too potentially.

That’s not saying that you should let them have everything – they should still be aware of limits. But it will help you understand them and show that you care about their feelings, wants and opinions. For example, if you give your child food in a different plate to the one they had yesterday, they might get upset. To you, this might seem silly. But to them and their two-year old brain, it’s a reasonable response. Particularly if your child doesn’t like change. That’s a BIG change when you are a toddler and food is such a big part of your day!

A toddler might see the world as scary; will they be able to take their first steps without falling over? Will they be able to reach the top step? Can a butterfly harm them if it flies too close to them? As a parent, we need to consider these fears and show them that there is nothing to be scared of. However, we also need to find a balance between teacher and parent.

Respect their decisions if you can and give them choice

It’s easy to tell them to do things. But we should also respect their decisions and help to guide them on the right path for them. You want to know that your child will listen to you, but that they will have the freedom to make their own choices. Now being a toddler, they won’t be able to make a lot of choices on their own. But it’s good to show them that with some decisions, they have a voice that will be heard.

Alongside seeing the world from their perspective, you should spend time with them throughout the day. Now, this might seem like the obvious thing to say. But by spending quality time with them you will start to get to know them and they will know that they can rely on you. Enjoy meaningful activities, like going to the park. You don’t want their earliest memories being that you just put them in front of the TV all day. From spending quality time with them, your bond will continue to grow and you will start to see things from their point of view.

Parenting a toddler is NEVER a breeze

It’s important to remember that parenting is never a breeze. It takes time to figure out what you’re doing. So don’t feel as though because you haven’t got it right every time, that it will damage them in the future in any way.

Simply try to work with them and understand them, even if it starts by just listening to what they want. Over time, by laying the groundwork and foundation for growth it will help to make parenting your toddler a little easier – as well as helping you to build a wonderful connection with them. Just remember, one thing that works for one parent, might not work the same magic on your child. So get to know your child for who they are, their opinions, likes, dislikes and their perspective on the world – you will soon see a difference in the way that they behave and how they view you.

You might need a reminder from time to time that toddlers are, in fact, quote cute. How about checking out these cute things kids have said about their Mother’s for inspiration?

Toddlers are fabulous balls of energy, but this can bring its own set of challenges! We’re here to help if we can:

• What do I do if my child bites?
• What can I do about my toddler food fads?
• How about some tips for the public toddler tantrums – we’ve got five on them!
• How can I get my child to sleep in his toddler bed?

Thanks so much for stopping by to see us – we do have a few other ideas for you to look at from other sites on this topic too :

• The Military Wife and Mum has some excellent ideas on books to take a look at when parenting your toddler; all about toddler discipline,
• Sand in My Toes has a few ideas of what toddler pet peeves are, which might help in anticipating the odd tantrum of two?!?
• Childhood 101 has a few ideas for dealing with toddler tantrums too.

Do come back to see us sometime soon, and subscribe to our lovely newsletter as well – you can do so weekly and daily actually.

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Catch you later!

Helen

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