As an Amercian, my family and I (as well as the rest of the country) just celebrated Independence Day. My kids are old enough now that they really enjoyed the fireworks will talk about them until the next 4th of July.
While the Nation’s Independence Day comes only once a year, my 2-year-0ld, Xander, celebrates his own Independence Day every day! His favorite phrase these days is, “No, Mommy! I will do it by myself!”
Have those words ever crossed your toddler’s lips? [...]
How to Let Your Toddler’s Freedom Ring
(And Keep Your Sanity)
As a mom, I have been very committed to saying “YES” more than “NO” and encouraging my kids to exercise independence. Now that doesn’t mean I let my kids get away with murder because I don’t want to damage their fragile psyches by telling them No! to running with scissors and playing with fire.
There is a way to create situations where you can safely say YES and still get things done in a timely effective manner.
How do you do that? Offer choices and give them chances to help out!
A 60 Second Parenting Tip
When Xander insists that he have a drink from a “big boy cup” I let him. That’s not to say I give him the most potent grape juice sure to leave permanently stain my carpet and furniture. I give him options.
First, I repeat his request.
“Xander, you want to drink from a big cup?” This lets him know I am really listening to him and I understand what he wants.
Then I offer the choices.
“Xander, would you like to drink juice at the table in your big cup, or would you like to drink water and sit next to Mommy on the couch?”
This offers him the opportunity to exercise his independence, and gives him the chance to make decisions, AND it gives me the opportunity to say YES instead of no without bathing my house in grape juice.
This will help you use your creativity, too as you come up with ways to offer choices to your toddler to safely allow them to exercise their independence.
