It's normal for toddlers to show a preference for one parent over the other. It's their way of asserting themselves and feeling in control. As parents, we can handle this with fun, humour, and connection. But we don't need to do what the child is demanding. Being able to reject us reflects a strong attachment. This is a positive developmental stage. So don't take it personally.⁣ ⁣ WHAT TO DO?⁣ ⁣ ✔️ Don’t show that it bothers you. It’s just a toddler acting his age. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣✔️ Acknowledge your toddler’s feelings. But you don’t need to do what they’re asking. ⁣ ⁣ ✔️ Use humour and fun. “Ok, so if you don’t want me to sit next to you . . . can I sit on your lap?” ⁣ ⁣ ✔️Remember it’s a positive developmental stage. It’s more about your toddler than you. ⁣ ⁣ ✔️Being able to reject you reflects a strong attachment to you.⁣ ⁣ 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙧’𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩?⁣ ⁣ Are you stuck in the calm-then-explode cycle? Want to learn how to tame tantrums without losing your temper? Discover the proven E.A.S.Y. method. ⁣ Get an audio lesson. ⁣ Link in bio⁣ ⁣ #toddlertips #instamom #crunchymama #peacefulparenting #toddlertips #toddlermomlife #instamom #mindfulparenting #parentingishard #toddlermomlife #gentleparenting #momtalk ⁣#toddlerlife #toddlermomlife⁣  #toddlertantrums #toddlermeltdown  ⁣ #parenting101 #toddlertantrums #tantrums #sahm #mommyproblems #parentingtips #toddlerstruggles #momtalk #toddlerstruggles #momhack #toddlersofinstagram #2yearsold #3yearolds

I thought you’d appreciate hearing this . . . ⁣ Did you know that when your toddler watches the same movie over and over, there are actual solid benefits? I’m not just saying this to make it more tolerable for you—-apparently, studies have shown that this sets your kids up for success.⁣ ⁣ Here are a few benefits of watching the same movie a zillion times. ⁣ ✔️It empowers kids as they know what to predict ⁣ ✔️Children learn the world is safe and predictable ✔️It gives kids confidence ✔️It’s satisfying when predictions are right on ✔️it’s a break from new information ✔️Predicting what’s about to happen develops logical thinking ⁣ What movie has your child watched a thousand times? ⁣ 💫 🤸‍♂️When I was in medical school, I used acronyms to remember things when I was stressed. I recommend the acronym E.A.S.Y. to stop losing your cool when managing tantrums. I’ve created a FREE audio lesson to share this approach. LINK IN BIO. ⁣ #pregnancy ⁣#kids #child #toddler #toddlerlife⁣ #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingmoms⁣ #healthypregnancy #pregnancyblog #firsttimemommy ⁣ #6monthspregnant #honestlymothering #lifedailymoms ⁣ #40weekspregnant #newborn ⁣#parenting⁣ #lifewithlittles #toddlerhood #mommin #parentingadvice⁣ #newmommy #newmama #mumandbaby⁣ #parentproblems #babymama ⁣ #momproblems101 #mothering⁣ #firstbaby #infants #postpartumsupport ⁣

This little trick will help you encourage good behavior in a sweet way. ⁣ ⁣ Imagine someone tells you “Your hair looks really nice today.” Now imagine you overhear someone whispering that you look nice today. Which one are you more likely to believe? ✨You’d be more likely to believe what you overhear. ⁣✨⁣ ⁣ Letting your child overhear lovely things said about them is a powerful good-behavior booster!⁣ ⁣ 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙥. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠?⁣ ⁣ 💫 ✨ If you want more ridiculously easy strategies for inspiring good behaviour, check out our FREE Baby School. Link in bio @healthiest_baby ✨⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #motherhoodintheraw #momlifestyle #ohheymamas ⁣#letthembelittle #ig_motherhood⁣ #firsttimemom #toddlertantrums ⁣#toddler ⁣ #toddlermomlife #toddlermom ⁣#pregnant ⁣#toddleractivities #toddlers ⁣ #toddlerhood #toddlersofinstagram ⁣#mumslife #mumsofinsta ⁣ #mumbloggers ⁣#toddlerlife ⁣#toddlers ⁣ #toddlerhood ⁣ ⁣#kids #mommyblog #fifteenmonthsold #18monthsold #15monthsold ⁣ #16monthsold #17monthsold

Toddlers are told what to do all day long. Can you imagine how frustrating that would be? Wake up. Get dressed. Sit down. Eat up. Get your shoes on. Get in the car. Get out of the car. Power struggles happen when kids feel powerless. ⁣ ⁣ 👀 Focus on empowering instead of overpowering your toddler. ⁣ ⁣ ✔️ Instead of thinking of a power struggle as unwanted behaviour, realize it as a healthy developmental process. ⁣ ⁣ ✔️ Power struggles take two. So the obvious way to dial down a power struggle is to back out of it. They happen when you and your child aren’t on the same team. ⁣ ⁣ 👀 So, connect with your child. Make eye contact, read a book, talk, whatever gets you back on the same team. ⁣ ⁣ 🤸‍♂️Do you find tantrums triggering? Learn how to handle tantrums without losing your temper. Get your FREE audio lesson and become calmer and less reactive. LINK IN BIO ⁣ ⁣ #toddlertips⁣ #toddlertantrums #toddlerstruggles #toddlertips⁣ ⁣ #toddlerlife #toddlersofinstagram ⁣#toddleractivities #toddlers ⁣ #toddlermom #toddler #positiveparenting #consciousparenting ⁣ #toddlermommy #gentleparenting⁣ #toddleryears

While it can be tempting to try and reason with your toddler during a tantrum, sharing your calm is actually more effective. ⁣ ⁣ ✨When you remain calm, it helps toddlers regulate their emotions. Your toddler soaks up your calm, which shortens and soothes tantrums. ⁣ ⁣ ✨Remember, your toddler is still learning how to cope with deep feelings. ⁣ ⁣ 🤸‍♂️Do you find tantrums triggering? Learn how to handle tantrums without losing your temper. Get your FREE audio lesson and become calmer and less reactive. LINK IN BIO ⁣ ⁣ #toddlertips #instamom #crunchymama #peacefulparenting #toddlertips #toddlermomlife #instamom #mindfulparenting #parentingishard #toddlermomlife #gentleparenting #momtalk ⁣#toddlerlife #toddlermomlife⁣  #toddlertantrums #toddlermeltdown  ⁣ #parenting101 #toddlertantrums #tantrums #sahm #mommyproblems #parentingtips #toddlerstruggles #momtalk #toddlerstruggles #momhack #toddlersofinstagram #2yearsold #3yearolds ⁣

We've all been there--our child has done something that upsets another child and now the whole playground is watching us, to see what we’re going to do. ⁣ ⁣ It's uncomfortable and embarrassing. ⁣ ⁣ Apologizing is key to repairing relationships, but forcing an apology often doesn't work and can even backfire. Kids learn empathy by watching us model it. So how can we help our kids apologize in a way that feels genuine and teaches them about empathy?⁣ ⁣ ✨Here’s an evidence-based way to encourage heartfelt apologies:⁣ ✔️See if your child offers a spontaneous apology. ⁣ ⁣ ✔️If not, ask your child, “what can you do to help your friend/sister/etc feel better? ⁣ ✔️If they can’t come up with any ideas, make some suggestions. If your child is too young to answer the question- you can both ask and answer the question. ⁣ ✔️Also, you can also prompt them to include an apology and model a good example for them.  ⁣ ⁣ So, here’s how this would sound:⁣ ⁣ “When you grabbed the toy, the little boy started to cry.” “How can you help make the little guy feel better?” “What would make you feel better in the same situation?”  “Let’s go see.”  ⁣ ⁣ 🧠When I was in medical school, I used acronyms to remember details when I was too stressed to think straight. I recommend using the acronym E.A.S.Y. to help you manage difficult moments without losing your cool. I’ve created a FREE audio lesson to share this approach. LINK IN BIO. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣#motherhoodintheraw ⁣ #ig_motherhood⁣ #firsttimemom ⁣ #6monthsbaby #pregnant #mumslife ⁣ #mumsofinsta ⁣ #mumbloggers⁣ ⁣#10monthsold #6monthsold #7monthsold #8monthsold #9monthsold #11monthsold #toddler #toddlerlife #toddlermomlife⁣ #toddleractivities  #toddlerlife #toddlermomlife #toddler #toddlerhood⁣ #montessoriathome #mindfulparenting #motherhoodrising

Toddlers are little people with big feelings, and they often feel powerless. So it's no surprise that they often push back at bedtime. So let’s look at how to empower kids as part of the bedtime routine. ⁣ ⁣ ✨VALIDATE FEELINGS. You can do this by showing your child you understand that bedtime is difficult for them. “You’re sad it’s bedtime, I understand. What do you want to read when you wake up?”  This will help your child to feel seen and understood. ⁣ ⁣ ✨CHOICES. “Give this-or-that choices as much as possible during the bedtime routine. Do you want the spaceship jammies or the rainbow ones?” “Do you want Duckie toys in the bath or the boat?”⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ✨MAKE THE BEDTIME PLAN TOGETHER. Once your child is old enough, talk about the bedtime routine. Ask your kids what they would like as part of their bedtime routine. Add anything that you get callbacks for as part of the plan. Make a list of each of the bedtime steps = bedtime routine and stick to it. For example, bath and brush teeth, put jammies on, read 2 books, sing a song, go to bathroom one last time, and then goodnight kisses, lights out. The plan is the boss. Make a book about the bedtime plan and read it together several times a day. ⁣ ⁣ ✨USE PLAYFULNESS. This is one of the best ways for overcoming resistance. “Only tigers can get their jammies on by the count of 10. Let’s see how long it takes you.” ⁣ ⁣ ✨MINDSET. You can be the sturdy boss and still be connected and gentle. “I know you’re sad it’s bedtime. What book do you want to read when you wake up?” (Make sure you read this book in the morning). ⁣ ⁣ ✨EXPECT PUSHBACK. Your child WILL push back initially, expect it. Be confident, and clear, and don’t add anything to the bedtime routine for tonight. You can reassess the bedtime plan the next day. ⁣ ⁣ Get our FREE Tame Tantrums Without Losing Your Cool guide. (Yes, you can do this!) LINK IN BIO. ⁣ ⁣ #toddlertips⁣ #toddlertantrums #toddlerstruggles #toddlertips⁣ ⁣ #toddlerlife #toddlersofinstagram ⁣#toddleractivities #toddlers ⁣ #toddlermom #toddler #positiveparenting #consciousparenting ⁣ #toddlermommy #gentleparenting⁣ #toddleryears

Some parents are kind, but not firm. Others are firm, but not kind. ⁣ ⁣ Kindness without firmness is permissive. Firmness without kindness is punitive. ⁣ ⁣ ❌Many parents flip-flop between the two—being too kind and then too firm. ⁣ ⁣ Parents who are drawn to gentle parenting tend to focus on kindness. Some, remember their childhood experiences and promise they will never be as strict as their parents. However, being kind without being firm can be a problem too. ⁣ ⁣ WHAT TO DO?⁣ ⁣ ✔️When managing unwanted behaviours always include the AND ( or if you prefer BUT). ⁣ ⁣ “I know you’re disappointed it’s time to leave the park AND/BUT I’m sorry but it’s time to go.”⁣ ⁣ “You’re angry your sister grabbed your toy. I understand AND/BUT it’s not okay to pull your sister’s hair.” ⁣ ⁣ “You’re sad it’s time to get ready for bed. I get it AND/BUT it’s bedtime.”⁣ ⁣ ✔️Kind AND Firm. Yes, it’s possible to be both.⁣ ⁣ ✨All families have them, those big, emotional moments that can feel so overwhelming. When these moments catch us off guard, it can be tough to know how to react. We’re here to help. Get our FREE tame tantrums *without losing your cool* lesson. LINK IN BIO✨⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #toddlertips⁣ #toddlertantrums #toddlerstruggles #toddlertips⁣ ⁣ #toddlerlife #toddlersofinstagram ⁣#toddleractivities #toddlers ⁣ #toddlermom #toddler #positiveparenting #consciousparenting ⁣ #toddlermommy #gentleparenting⁣ #toddleryears ⁣

Can you imagine being told what to do all day long? I'm sure we've all felt frustrated at times by someone else's rules or expectations.💥 Wake up. Get dressed. Sit down. Eat up. Get your shoes on. Get in the car. Get out of the car. Power struggles happen when kids feel powerless. 🎉⁣ ⁣ As kids grow and explore their independence, they will inevitably test the limits of what they can and can't do. And while power struggles can be frustrating, it's important to remember that they are a healthy part of development.⁣ ⁣ Here are some healthy ways to ⁣defuse power struggles: ⁣ CONNECT👀⁣ ✔️ Make eye contact, read a book, talk, whatever gets you back on the same team. ⁣ ⁣ EMPOWER⚡️⁣ ✔️You can help to avoid power struggles by empowering your toddler with choices. By giving them some control over their day, you will help them to feel more powerful and less likely to engage in power struggles.⁣ ⁣ STEP-ASIDE🤸‍♂️⁣ ✔️Power struggles take two. So the obvious way to dial down a power struggle is to back out of it. They happen when you and your child aren’t on the same team. ⁣ ⁣ CHOICES OVER ORDERS👄⁣ ✔️Give this-or-that choices often throughout the day⁣ ⁣ GIVE MORE POWER👍⁣ ✔️When stuck in a power struggle, ask yourself, “How can I give my child more power in this situation?” Let’s say your toddler is refusing to put his shoes on. Make him the king of shoes, and ask him to make sure everyone gets their shoes on after breakfast.” ⁣ ⁣ Are you frustrated by power struggles and need some help establishing gentle but firm boundaries? Get our FREE audio lesson and learn how to handle unwanted behaviours WITHOUT losing your cool. LINK IN BIO. ⁣ ⁣ #toddlertips⁣ #toddlertantrums #toddlerstruggles #toddlertips⁣ ⁣ #toddlerlife #toddlersofinstagram ⁣#toddleractivities #toddlers ⁣ #toddlermom #toddler #positiveparenting #consciousparenting ⁣ #toddlermommy #gentleparenting⁣ #toddleryears

It's natural for toddlers to feel a range of emotions when a new sweet baby comes into the family, but we don't want them to feel resentment or jealousy. When your toddler can't do her usual things because now there's a baby, It's hard to keep your toddler from feeling like the new baby is ruining her life. When we make "baby" the reason that she can't have fun and can't "do things, your toddler will naturally feel resentment. (I mean, wouldn't we resent someone who was taking away our fun?) SO, WHAT TO DO? EVALUATE: Take a quick moment to see the situation from your toddler’s perspective. ACKNOWLEDGE:⁠ “Yes. Let’s play together!⁠"⁠ ⁠ SET LIMITS:⁠ “I’ll be ready in a little bit!⁠”⁠ ⁠ YES; Find the yes “What book should we read?⁠”⁠ Notice that nothing has been said about the baby, which is important because you don’t want your toddler to feel the baby comes first. ⁠ 🤸‍♂️When I was in medical school, I used acronyms to remember details when I was too stressed to think straight. I recommend using the acronym E.A.S.Y. to help you manage difficult moments without losing your cool. I’ve created a FREE audio lesson to share this approach. LINK IN BIO. ⁣ #toddlertips⁣ #toddlertantrums #toddlerstruggles #toddlertips⁣ #toddlerlife #toddlersofinstagram ⁣#toddleractivities #toddlers  #toddlermom #toddler #positiveparenting #consciousparenting ⁣ #toddlermommy #gentleparenting⁣ #toddleryears

Sneaking out when your toddler is distracted might seem like the easy way out, but it's not helpful in the long run. It's much better to name the feelings 💜 your child is experiencing and help them build up their resilience by teaching them how to cope with separation anxiety.⁣ ⁣ ❌But unfortunately, while sneaking out may delay a scene, it tends to escalate meltdowns in the future. ⁣ ❌Sneaking out may cause anxiety and distrust—-which is not at all what you intended. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣Here’s how to use E.A.S.Y. to send your toddler off to kindergarten. This shows your kid you love them and that you’re confident they can do hard things. If you haven’t listened to our FREE audio about the proven E.A.S.Y method, get it today. LINK IN BIO⁣ ⁣ DO THIS: ✔️ E. - EVALUATE⁣ Take a quick moment before saying a word to gain some composure. ⁣ ⁣ ✔️ A - ACKNOWLEDGE FEELINGS⁣ Name your child’s feelings and let them know it’s okay. ⁣ ⁣“Aww, sweetie, you’re sad mommy is going to work. That’s really hard. After Mommy says ‘goodbye’, take some deep breaths like we practised. And then go have some fun and play with your friends.”⁣ ⁣ ✔️ S- STICK TO YOUR BOUNDARIES⁣ Boundaries aren’t always about telling kids not to do things. Here, it’s about leaving with respect for your child’s experience but without long drawn-out goodbyes. GRANT A WISH⁣:⁣ “What book do you want to read when mommy gets home?” (AND DO THIS WHEN YOU GET HOME!)⁣ ⁣ ✔️ Y - YES. Find something your toddler can do that helps them move on. Which is the BYE-BYE RITUAL:⁣ Next comes your bye-bye ritual (kiss-hug-nose-rub) ⁣ ⁣ . . . and then it’s time to leave🚪. ⁣ ⁣ With a consistent goodbye routine, you build trust and make leaving easier down the road (way down the road, it won’t improve overnight)!⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #momlifestyle #ohheymamas ⁣#letthembelittle #ig_motherhood⁣ #firsttimemom #toddlertantrums ⁣#toddler ⁣ #toddlermomlife #toddlermom ⁣#pregnant ⁣#toddleractivities #toddlers ⁣ #toddlerhood #toddlersofinstagram ⁣#mumslife #mumsofinsta ⁣ #mumbloggers ⁣#toddlerlife ⁣#toddlers ⁣ #toddlerhood ⁣ ⁣#kids #mommyblog #fifteenmonthsold #18monthsold #15monthsold ⁣ #16monthsold #17monthsold #children⁣

It can be so frustrating when your toddler won't do what you ask. ⁣ ⁣ But before you get too frustrated, consider whether your child *can't do it* or *won't do it*. ⁣ ⁣ Most often, the answer is that your child can't developmentally manage what is being asked of him or her. This is especially true when you factor in a child's temperament and where he or she is in the day's routines (i.e bedtime, naptime, dinnertime.) ⁣ ⁣ When your expectations are realistic, you can manage misbehaviour in more loving, insightful, and effective ways. ⁣ ⁣ So next time your toddler doesn't do what you want, take a step back and consider whether it's really developmentally appropriate. ⁣ ⁣ Here are a few common misconceptions:⁣ ⁣ ✔️most parents think a toddler can resist the impulse to do something forbidden. However, these abilities don’t develop until 3.5-4 years. ⁣ ✔️most parents expect a toddler to share and take turns. However, these skills don’t develop until 3 - 4 years. ⁣ ⁣ 𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙨𝙤 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙’𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨. ⁣ ⁣ Are you stuck in the calm-then-explode cycle? Want to learn how to tame tantrums without losing your temper? Discover the proven E.A.S.Y. method. ⁣ Get a FREE audio lesson. ⁣ Link in bio⁣ ⁣ #motherhoodintheraw #momlifestyle #ohheymamas ⁣#letthembelittle #ig_motherhood⁣ #firsttimemom #toddlertantrums ⁣#toddler ⁣ #toddlermomlife #toddlermom ⁣#pregnant ⁣#toddleractivities #toddlers ⁣ #toddlerhood #toddlersofinstagram ⁣#mumslife #mumsofinsta ⁣ #mumbloggers ⁣#toddlerlife ⁣#toddlers ⁣ #toddlerhood ⁣ ⁣#kids #mommyblog #fifteenmonthsold #18monthsold #15monthsold ⁣ #16monthsold #17monthsold⁣ ⁣ ⁣