Terrible Twos
Giving Time - Teaching Skills for Life
Welcome
In this article you will find some help and advice for managing the terrible twos.
Has your little one turned into a little tike who says "no" to everything you ask of him or her?
This is a normal part of a toddlers development.
The terrible two's sometimes starts before your child becomes two, you will notice that your toddler will start resisting you.
This may erupt into terrible tantrums that may seem to go on forever.
You may see this escalate into head banging, biting, breath holding and screaming.
It seems to occur when your toddler is becoming more independent and is wanting to make sense of the world and their place within it.
So what can you do to minimise the stress for you and the frustration for your toddler.
Remember they seem to be magentically drawn to trouble at this stage.
They don't know what is safe or not and explore with hands, feet and mouths.
They will be attracted to bottles of bleach, tablets and anything else they can get hold of, if allowed complete unsupervised freedom.
Firstly toddler proof your home.
Toddlers are naturally curious and will explore everything including outlet sockets, glowing rings on cooker hobs,
steaming mugs of hot tea or coffee, concrete steps.
They will explore buttons, marbles and any other small
objects and have been known to put these in noses, ears and mouths, resulting in visits to casualty to have the offending item removed.
(Believe us, we know, have been there and got the tshirt).
Your toddler will seem to have unending energy and will continually make their way to stairs or open doors so get safety gates on stairs and door.
Cabinet locks on kitchen cabinets and window locks on dangerous window openings.
Get socket covers for unsued open socket outlets.
All of this means your toddler will be safe and you won't have to be continually saying "no" all day.
Terrible Twos.........Use distraction
You will probably become aware of the trigger points for your toddler.
If you can do try to avoid the triggers.
Where this is not possible try to get them interested in something else to take their focus off the desired thing.
Use an upbeat voice to distract
"Hey Joe look at the pretty flower2.
Take along a favored toy to the shops hidden in your bag, bring it out at a known trigger point,
or as a distraction if you see your child getting frustrated.
Terrible Twos.........Redirect
Whenever you can, don't just say "no" or remove your toddler from an activity.
Make sure you provide an alternative which reduces the likelehood of them returning to the unwanted activity.
Terrible Twos.........Parenting
Your out of control toddler needs you to be as calm and consistent as you can be.
Remember you are the adult and you are in control at all times.
Try to keep your voice low and calm.
You may find that holding tour toddler through a tantrum will calm them down quickly.
For other toddlers this will have the opposite effect.
Don't leave a tantruming todder alon as they could hurt themselves.
Instead withdraw to a safe distance and ignore the tantrum.
When it is over continue as you were before the tantrum.
If you give in this time your toddler will learn this quickly and will tantrum more.
- Give yourselves some space, whenever you can rest, read a book watch a favorite TV program.
- Try to get out for an evening if you can get babysitters.
- If you take tiome for yourself it ill restore your batteries and you will be more able to give your toddler the calm and patience they need at this time.
Terrible Twos.........Routine
Though this time your toddler needs you to keep him in a routine.
He or she may be feeling out of control.
A routine gives toddlers a sense of security and safety.
Terrible Twos..........In public
You will need to be clear about your toddlers behaviour in public.
The same applies as in your home.
Don't give in to tantrums.
Ignore the tantrum, then carry on as before.
You may need to leave and go home.
(don't worry you will only have to do this once or twice before your toddler gets it.
Be consistent, always say "no" to that unwanted behaviour.
Although it is hard work as parents or carers we must try to be consistent.
If we give in to a tantrum then it will be much harder the next time.
Often we want a quiet life and think "oh well it won't matter this once".
I find it has been easier to keep to the forefront of my mind that anything I allow to start has to be stopped at some point.
Be strong and remind yourself of the positives.
Try to remember the good points of the day and not roll the tantrums into how you see your little one.
The terrible twos will pass.
Grab your toddlers and share some quality time together.
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