| Anyone who has been through the stage of | | | | is 13. |
| parenting a toddler probably looks back and thinks | | | | However, make sure it is truly disobedience and |
| that wasn't so bad. In fact, many people miss | | | | not just childishness. There is a big difference. The |
| those years (once they are over). | | | | child who is willfully being defiant and going against |
| That is kind of sad. Why not enjoy the toddler | | | | his parent's wishes is not the same as the child |
| years when they are happening? Here are some | | | | who accidentally spills his milk or who starts crying |
| tips to help you do just that. | | | | because she didn't get enough sleep the night |
| First, relax and have fun along with your child. | | | | before. So be sure to take these things into |
| Clear some responsibilities from your schedule so | | | | consideration. |
| you don't feel like you have no time to spend | | | | Third, if you are at home with a toddler (or two) |
| with your toddler. There is no reason to feel guilty | | | | all day and feel like you need a break, call in some |
| for spending a few hours playing with Duplo | | | | help. Whether you hire a neighbor girl to watch |
| blocks or building a wooden train track. So during | | | | your children a few hours each week or have |
| these wonderful years spend less time at social | | | | your mother or grandmother take the children for |
| events and meetings and more time at home. | | | | a while, give yourself a break. Being a |
| You will not regret it. | | | | stay-at-home mom is hard. Just about everyone |
| Second, this is a very important age when a child | | | | has to ask someone to help out during these |
| begins to form the character they will have for | | | | years. |
| the rest of their lives. This is the time to lay a | | | | Giving yourself a few hours off each week will |
| foundation of good character, respect for others, | | | | make you a better parent, too. You will find that |
| and knowing right from wrong. | | | | it gives you more energy, more patience, and a |
| You need to model patience, respect, and | | | | better perspective in being a mother. Your |
| truthfulness. When your child gets angry that | | | | children will be more precious to you after you |
| something didn't work out right, help them work | | | | have had a few hours to yourself. |
| through the anger. That can be hard for parents | | | | Having a toddler in the house can be a wonderful |
| who are impatient themselves. But if you teach | | | | experience. Toddlers are so full of wonder and |
| your child self control now they will be better | | | | everything is an adventure to them. They think |
| prepared for the teen years and adulthood. If you | | | | you are terrific and love to spend hours playing |
| need to, get a book that deals with this problem | | | | with you as you build with blocks or play games |
| (The Heart of Anger is very good). | | | | or whatever else they want to do. |
| Discipline is a difficult topic, but a parent who | | | | Take advantage of this time and be available. |
| disciplines a toddler in love, with patience, will have | | | | Relax, enjoy your child, and build many memories |
| much less need to discipline the child when he or | | | | to think back on when your child is older, or even |
| she is older. It is much easier to deal with | | | | when he has moved out on his own. |
| disobedience when the child is three than when he | | | | |