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