My daughter is going through the stage where is everything is “hers”. She’s also prone to just snatching and saying “I want it” or “mine”. These are the times where I find that counting to 10 (or 20) comes in very helpful. I have to remember that she’s not being mean, this is normal for her stage in development.
Toddlers generally lack the control to resist their impulses. They also do not really understand the concept of sharing and ownership. If they see something they want, they go with their first impulse, which is to take it. During this stage of development, you need to teach your toddler patience and the ability to share.
Firmly and consistently tell your toddler that snatching is not nice. Whenever my daughter does this, that is what I tell her. Also, if I see her about to grab, I move the object out of her reach and tell her she needs to ask for it since I’m currently holding it (or another person if that is the case). I do this repeatedly. She is learning to ask first if she wants something that I have or that one of her friends has.
Another thing I do is remind her that snatching isn’t nice when things are snatched away from her. I will then ask her to tell that to her friend. This has been a big help with showing her how her own behavior affects others. A recent playdate resulted in this scenario often, with snatching on both sides. With firm reinforcement, the playdate ended on a much calmer, politer note.
Stay consistent; don’t yell or snatch it back. That will only reinforce that snatching is okay. Remember, this is a stage of development that your toddler needs your help to get through. Be patient, your persistence will pay off.
If your toddler is anything like mine, you’ve noticed that she doesn’t eat much during one sitting. Not only that, but she’s up and down like a yo-yo in between bites. Toddlers don’t have the patience to sit through a whole meal. Plus, they have small stomachs and are done a lot faster than older children and adults. Since they don’t eat much at this stage, it’s important to make sure that what they are eating counts.
If your toddler will only eat one type of food per sitting, try foods that will give the most nutrition. If she’s old enough for peanut butter, peanut butter offers protein and fiber. Whole-grain breads offers iron and complex carbohydrates. If your toddler wants juice, mix it with water. If you give her milk while she’s eating, it may fill up her tummy. Try holding off until the end of the meal.
Toddlers like to snack throughout the day. There is nothing wrong with that and it even helps get up their energy levels. Just make sure the snacks are healthy. Offers low calorie, whole-grain cereals such as Cheerios. I keep some Cheerios in a baggie and my daughter snacks on that throughout the day. She also eats raisins, bananas, apples, and whole-grain crackers.
If your toddler’s eating habits are sporadic, don’t worry too much about it. So long as they are getting enough nutrients throughout the week, they are fine. Be sure to offer foods that will give them protein and calcium (dairy), vitamin C (fruits, vegetables), whole grains (pasta), iron (cereal), and healthy fat (unsaturated). These can be found in butter, cheese, and milk. Try to avoid trans fats, check the labels before you buy. Also, check the labels for “hydrogenated” oils. If you find this, it’s better not to buy. These types of fats can increase cholesterol. As long as your toddler is getting these important nutrients throughout the week, your baby will be fine.
