If you thought your baby was testing you and your limits and his or limits before, wait until the two-year mark approaches.
Even before you toddler hits the “Terrible Twos” the bad behavior and tantrums can start. You may be in the middle of a store, and your previously well-behaved child is now screaming at the top of his or her lungs.
What is going on?
Testing a Parent’s Limits
The child approach two is pushing the limits to see how far he or she can go. The toddler wants to see what it takes to make you give in.
The toddler who is approaching two-years-old has a definite idea about what he or she wants and when they want it, and it has nothing to do with their parents. It has to be their way or they will scream. Sometimes their way is okay. If it is something simple and non-harmful.
However, there are other times went the toddler will not take no for an answer from a parent.
For example, the child may be insistent on having cookies for breakfast. How? Even the child who cannot say cookie may know exactly where to find those cookies.
A firm and consistent “no” from a parent may not do the trick. The child may become agitated and start crying and screaming. This is the part where a parent cannot give in. If the parnet give in now, there is an uphill battle ahead of you.
Explain Why You Said “No”
Instead, the parent should make sure the child understands “no,” and continue with the morning routine. The parent can get the breakfast bowl out, pour the cereal, and redirect his or her attention to a new situation.
The parent should not argue with the child, as that will agitate them even further. Use your calm parent voice – you can find it – and explain the situation.
“We don’t have cookies for breakfast. Let’s have some cereal instead.” The parent can even engage the toddler further by asking the child approaching two to help you pour the cereal, and even the milk (from a cup).
How Parents Can Diminish Bad Behaviors
One way parents can attempt to decrease the chances of this happening again is to make the cabinet inaccessible with a child lock.
Another approach, for parents with a pantry, or who would like their toddler to have some independence and be able to pick out their own cereal at breakfast or snack at snack time, is to rearrange the cabinets so the snacks or problem items are out of view.
When a parnet tells a toddler “no,” when the toddler already has the forbidden item in their hands, the problem seems amplified.
Also, do not move away from the normal checks you do on your child when he or she is agitated: diaper change, needs a nap, needs a hug, etc.
Good luck with your toddler as he or she approaches two.
