Our Toddlers |

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.

When your toddler is big enough to make a mess but still too small to clean up after herself, picking up after her can be tiring. Sometimes it seems that she goes through an entire load of clothes in only a couple of days. And mealtime can sometimes be a disaster.

Once your baby is walking, that’s when the messes will increase dramatically. But soon, your toddler will be big enough to start helping you. The tasks will take longer when she is learning to do them. But this stage in your toddler’s development is the perfect time for teaching her responsibility. And chores are one of the best ways to accomplish that.

Good Chores For Your Toddler To Try

Start your toddler out with the simplest of chores. If you ask her to clean her room, she’ll most likely give you a puzzled look. However, breaking it down into small tasks so that she understands will be effective. Try asking her to pick up her dolls and put them in the basket. I break down all the tasks with my daughter, and it helps her understand what she needs to do.

Dusting with a feather duster is a favorite chore among chhildren.  It seems more like play than a chore. My daughter will also wipe up spills and put her dishes away.

Getting Started

When you first introduce a new chore, you will need to show your toddler what to do. She will learn much quicker if she sees you doing it. Children learn by example.

You may have to help your toddler during the process the first couple of times. Even after she has mastered the task, it’s a good idea to stay with her while she is doing it. You can get some of your work done as well, just be sure to be there to talk to her. Try singing songs or making a game out of the chore. This will make chores more enjoyable, and she may even start looking forward to them.

Rewards

Be sure to say thank you when your child successfully completes a task. If she does a really good job, consider providing a reward such as extra playtime or a trip to the park. This will let her know that her help is appreciated and give her the incentive to continue.

Getting toddlers to do chores is usually not difficult if you start early. Most toddlers love to help around the house. Remember to not push to hard and try to make chore time a positive experience. This way, you will gain a helper and plant the seeds of responsibility in your toddler.

When your toddler begins eating solid foods you get to introduce her to many new things. Of course, there is going to be foods she likes and foods that she doesn’t. Many toddlers develop a dislike to new foods and often want to eat one thing all the time. This usually occurs around the age of two. Many parents are concerned that their toddler is not getting the proper nutrition if they are picky eaters.

Do not worry, toddlers do not need to eat as much as you might think. Around age two, growth slows down which often results in a decrease in appetite. So, your two year old might be full with just a few bites.

Another concern of parents is a lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet. While they contain healthy nutrients, these food groups can be trouble spots for many toddlers. But, if your toddler is growing normally, there is usually no need to worry.

Introducing New Foods

Toddlers will often refuse to eat new foods. Try to offer a new food consistently; your toddler will be more likely to try it eventually. Put a small amount of the food you want her to try on her plate a couple of times each week. At some point, she will take a bite.

Another tactic is to ask your toddler to try one bite of a new food. Knowing that she only has to take a single bite makes it less intimidating. If she doesn’t like it, wait a few days and ask her to try a bite again. If she still doesn’t like the food, it’s time to try another type of food. Keep trying foods in the group she is lacking in until you find something she does enjoy.

Also, teach by example by eating the foods you are trying to get your toddler to eat. Be sure to let her know how much you enjoy them. If she doesn’t see other family members eating the foods that she sees on her plate, she won’t be interested in trying them for herself.

When introducing new foods to your toddler, be sure to try one new food at a time. This way, you will know if your child has any allergies to a certain type of food.

Get Your Toddler Involved

Let your toddler choose between items in the same food group. This makes her feel like her opinion matters. You could even let her choose some healthy foods at the grocery store. If it is her idea, she will be more likely to try it.

Letting your child help prepare a meal is another way to get her involved in her food choices. Even young toddlers can somewhat help in the kitchen. Get a recipe book with pictures so you can choose recipes together. Go to the store together and get the ingredients, then come home and prepare the dish. Toddlers tend try things that they helped make.

Picky eating is a common concern of parents. Set a good example with your eating habits and consistently introduce new foods to help your child try new things. Picky eating is usually a phase that your toddler will outgrow.

You get to the daycare and see on your report for the day that your little girl was biting. Oh no! You try to stop your toddler from misbehaving and he responds by biting your leg. Good grief! What’s a parent to do?

First of all, try to remain calm. Most toddlers will do this at some point. So you know that it isn’t something you’ve done. Toddlers are still teetering between being babies and being big kids. When they are frustrated or sad, it’s still hard for them to express it with their words. So what do they do? Something they know will get attention. Hitting, biting, and throwing things. Sometimes, biting can be a sign of curiosity or affection. My daughter was lying on my lap and started nibbling on my leg. I thought it was cute until she dug her teeth in! Biting is a phase and it will pass. If your toddler is biting obsessively, however, you may want to speak with her pediatrician.

I knew a lady who said that when her son bit her, she bit him back so he could see how it felt. I honestly thought that was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard. How can you possibly teach your child not to bite when you’re biting? Try to avoid this. This is the same with hitting your child to teach them not to hit. It just confuses your baby.

Also, don’t laugh or say it’s cute when your toddler is nibbling or giving little bites. I learned the hard way how that can turn painful. Plus this type of encouragement leads to more biting and not just with you. Another thing to avoid is playful chomping on their fingers and toes. I was doing this with my daughter’s puppet until she mimicked me but used her mouth and real bites instead. Ouch!

If your toddler is biting, try offering a healthy snack. Give her some carrot sticks to sink her teeth into. Toddlers will bite sometimes when they getting hungry. If this is your child, load up the celery sticks before heading out.

Try to remember, this will pass. If these simple tactics don’t work, try using a diversion or removing a privilege (no Elmo today because you bit).

Need more helpful tips? Discover the time-tested parenting techniques already proven by tens of thousands of happy families. Visit: http://www.ourtoddlers.com/goodchild.html

Some toddlers drop the pacifier (aka binky) and never pick it up again. They don’t even give it a second thought. If this is your toddler, LUCKY YOU! However, many toddlers are stuck to those things as if they were glued on. My daughter is somewhere in the middle. She doesn’t use it during the day, or at the daycare, but when I give her a nap or put her to bed for the evening, no binky equals no peace.

When trying to determine how to finally end the binky madness once and for all, I did a little digging and here is what I found.

Your toddler’s pacifier is a main source of comfort. As your toddler gets older and begins to experience new things, a pacifier is a reassuring thing. She is experiencing new joys AND new fears so this old habit makes her feel better. Your toddler wants to show her independence, but still needs assurance that all is okay.

Usually by age three, your toddler will no longer need her pacifier. However, this age is not set in stone. And, while there is no absolute time to start weaning her off of it, try to remember that prolonged use of a pacifier can lead to an increased risk of ear infections and may cause her teeth to come in crooked.

If you feel that it’s time, here are a couple of suggestions. Try setting limits. My daughter is now only using it at home and then, only when sleeping. I do occasionally let her have it in the car, but this is only when we are riding around close to her nap time or if we are coming home and it’s close to bedtime. Once she’s out of bed, I ask her to put it away and she does (unless it’s just one of those mornings). When she listens, I thank her and give her a hug. I also tell her that she’s a big girl when she puts it away. Just as you do with other things, remember to always thank or compliment your toddler when they do something like this.

Remember to give a gentle push. Avoid scolding. This will only cause her more anxiety and make her want the pacifier. If you’re having a tough time getting your toddler to give up the binky, try diverting her attention. If she wants to pop it in her mouth, play her favorite cd and get her to sing along. It’s hard to sing with a pacifier in your mouth. Anything that requires her to use her mouth will work. Blowing bubbles, singing, reading, etc.

Also, remember that pacifier use is a sign that she needs comfort. Offer a hug when she asks for the binky. Sit her on your lap and read stories together. Or just sit and rock. Anything to let her know that she’s safe.

Be patient and persistent. She will eventually get over the need for the pacifier. Then you can toss them all out!

Need more helpful tips? Discover the time-tested parenting techniques already proven by tens of thousands of happy families. Visit: http://www.ourtoddlers.com/goodchild.html