Parenting a 2 Year Old
Parenting a 2-year-old can feel like a whirlwind experience. She's adorable, attentive, selfish, caring, stubborn and eager to please, all in one afternoon. Children this age want to do everything for themselves but lack the language skills to articulate their needs. Toddlerhood is a time of physical and emotional exploration and discovery. Your job as a parent is to support your 2-year-old's natural curiosity, reinforce positive behavior and facilitate appropriate social development. Your own behavior must model your aspirations for your child.
Instructions
Walk away from tantrums. The term "the terrible twos" describes the tantrum prone-nature of 2-year-olds who can become easily frustrated by their lack of language skills. Understand that your 2-year-old can't fully comprehend that others have needs and wants. When your child begins throwing a tantrum, usually started with a dramatic full body-throw to the floor, calmly explain that he may not have candy before dinner and that you aren't going to pay attention until he stops kicking and screaming. And walk away into the next room -- don't comfort, don't negotiate and absolutely don't give in to his demands. The screaming may get worse at first, but remain firm and refuse any attention until he stops screaming and kicking. Thank him profusely when he does calm down and praise him for his specific behavior, like, "Thank you for stopping kicking and screaming, I would love to show you this book I think you'd like." Set realistic expectations; trying to finish one last errand with your tired, hungry toddler is a recipe for frustration and disaster. Reinforce positive behavior. Your 2-year-old hears "no" a lot; outweigh correction with praise. Reward your toddler with lots of hugs and supportive phrases like, "You did a great job putting on your own shoes!" or "That's so nice of you to pet Sparky gently, he really loves you!" You are the center of your toddler's world and hearing praise for good behavior encourages her to repeat this behavior. Get active. According to the National Association of Sports and Physical Education, your 2-year-old should never be sedentary for more than one hour a day except while sleeping. This doesn't mean you have to enroll him in every toddler activity class available, but you should give your child plenty of opportunity to run around outside, climb, jump and tumble without structure. Toddlers will find a way to expend their energy; save your sanity by controlling the release method. If you don't want your toddler jumping on the sofa, provide him with an appropriate alternative like jumping off the bottom step, or invest in a small fitness trampoline. Limit food options. A 2-year-old can eat only what you give her. Don't keep items in the pantry that you don't want your child eating. A 2-year-old can't whine for something she doesn't see. If you order a cheeseburger, request fresh fruit instead of french fries. Encourage your child to eat a certain number of bites. If she resists, take bites of your food along with her to make it more of a game. Keep small, healthy snacks on hand, but allow only one snack in between meals to ensure a healthy appetite at dinner or lunch time. Pick your battles. You will have to stand firm many times with your toddler for safety or wellness reasons. Climbing on the counter or hitting his baby brother are causes worth fighting for with a sharp scolding (not yelling) and time-outs. Wearing a Superman cape to the grocery store or mixing ketchup and peas are not appropriate battles. Preserve the impact of scolding and time-out by reserving them for the largest infractions, like safety infractions or aggressive behavior toward others.
