As parents, one of our goals is to make sure our child would grow to be an individual who is well mannered, independent yet responsible, and a law-abiding person when he grows up. But, have you ever been with a toddler who is throwing tantrums? Won’t listen, won’t stop crying and screaming, hitting and whining, tensing and trashing their body? What’s the best way to deal with that when almost everytime you try to stop them, they would throw a fit even more?
Let’s discuss some of the proven effective ways to soothe, pacify and discipline a growing toddler.
•Keep Temptations Away
When you tell your child not to eat candies, do not put those candies anywhere near him. He is still on the process of trying to master his control over his desires. Don’t give him an additional burden. Help him instead by making sure you keep him away from temptations.
•Use Time-outs
Everytime he throws tantrums and would not listen to what you are saying, take him away and give him time outs. Be it letting him sit in a corner, or maybe in the bottom of the stairs, don’t talk to him or give him so much attention for a minute or two. Let him stay there and give him space and time to reflect. After the time-out, that’s the right time to talk to him and make him understand.
•Let Your Consistency Be the Key
Be Consistent with your rules. Example, when you say “No eating inside the bedroom.”, Never ever let him eat there. Don’t give exemptions, no excuses. Just be consistent in applying your rules so he would keep in his mind too that “No, means No”.
•Giving Him Control Over Little Things
As your baby grows up, he may want to have some more of independence and freedom. Having this is a big help for him to start developing sense of responsibility and conrtol. For instance, make him choose the food he likes to have but give him choices of whice items he is allowed to have.
•Giving Fines or Punishments for Misbehaviors
This doesn’t necessarily mean you should hit them when you are already full to the brim. Make the fine or consequence be related to his misbehavior. Example, when you tell him to stop playing with his favorite toy and go to bed, but he just won’t listen, take his toy away for awhile. This will teach him that being stubborn and hardheaded comes with a cost.
Discipline is a very challenging task for parents. It would eat up your patience and understanding. But keep in mind that the reason you want to discipline your child is because you care and love them. Don’t forget to give him positivity and appreciation too when he does something good. Soon enough, he will develop and grow to be a person of good character if you discipline him the right way.
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