Do Less For Your Toddler
Parents of a strong willed toddler not only easily get frustrated, but also exhausted. To avoid whining and complaining, parents tend to do too much for their toddlers. Josh Lerman, senior editor of Parenting magazine gave advice on how to tackle the problem by using children’s curiosity, decision-making involvement and realistic expectations:
Ages 2-3: Encourage curiosity about surroundings
Children at this age can already start getting things done on their own, like putting on socks or taking a cup from a low shelf…..Ages 3-4: Involve kids in decision-making process
Start expecting more independence at this age, especially in personal care…. Whether it’s a choice between the blue sweatshirt and the red cardigan or the backyard versus the playground, offering options makes children feel more self-reliant and gives them experience at weighing consequences. “They’ll feel like they have some control over something,”Age 5: Keep your expectations realistic
They can zip a zipper, tie their shoes and do a neater job with clean-ups but don’t expect perfection. It’s fine to give kids opportunities to try new things, but not until they’re ready to handle them.
Via CBS News