Raising kids takes a lot more than you expect. As a toddler’s parent, you know how it feels to be in a perpetual state of motion—and emotion. Your child’s daily requirements and activities will alter as they grow and develop. Take a closer look at what to expect in terms of eating and nutrition, sleep, safety, health problems, and more throughout the toddler years.
There is nothing called a perfect parent. All you need to do is put in the effort. They see what we as parents do, so be their role model and guide and watch them grow.
Let’s look at 10 Parenting Tips for Raising a Toddler.
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Stay positive
Do not vent about your child’s misbehavior in front of them, no matter how frustrated you are. Kids often start disliking this and will begin repeating this behavior repeatedly. Even yet, it’s entirely reasonable for getting frustrated now and then. If you reach that stage, seek assistance and counsel from your spouse, pediatrician, or a trusted friend.
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Short and simple
If you’re like most first-time parents, you’ll try to reason with your child when they break the rules, giving them extensive explanations of what they did wrong and warnings of losing privileges if they don’t stop misbehaving. Overt talking, on the other hand, is just as ineffectual. Toddlers don’t have a long attention span to absorb long conversations making it useless, giving them extensive explanations. Instead, use brief statements that you can repeat a few times and incorporate voice inflections and facial expressions.
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Avoid being emotional
Sure, it isn’t easy to maintain composure when your 18-month-old pulls the dog’s tail or your 3-year-old refuses to wash their teeth for the zillionth time. If you yell in frustration, though, the message you’re attempting to convey will be lost, and the situation will quickly escalate. Instead, take a deep breath and count to three before lowering yourself to your child’s eye level. Then, when you give the reprimand, be quick and not serious and harsh.
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Teach empathy
A 3-year-old rarely understands why they should stop doing something they enjoy, such as biting, striking, or stealing toys from other children. It is therefore essential to teach kids empathy. This teaches your child that their actions directly impact others and encourages them to consider the repercussions first.
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Listen to them
Kids feel better when they know they have been heard, so whenever possible, repeat your child’s concerns to make them feel you are always there for them.
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Reward good behavior
It’s doubtful that your youngster will constantly follow your instructions. You’d have to wonder what was wrong with them if that happened! Normal children oppose authority and are aware of being asked to do something they do not want to do. They feel justified in resisting you after that. So, try providing rewards for their good behaviors.
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Make time
Parents often get caught up with many things and forget to give time to their kids. Many parents keep nannies to look after their toddlers and forget to watch them by themselves. All these acts will only drift you apart from your child. Instead, try making time for them and play with them every day at least for some time.
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Show them you are always there for them.
As a parent, you have the job of correcting and guiding your children. However, the manner in which you offer corrective feedback has a significant impact on how a child reacts to it.
Avoid blaming, condemning, or pointing out flaws while facing your child, as these behaviors can reduce self-esteem and lead to resentment. Instead, try to nourish and encourage your children, even when disciplining them. Assure them that your love will always be there for them, even if you hope and expect more the next time.
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Boost their self-esteem
When children see themselves through the eyes of their parents, they begin to form a sense of self. Your tone of speech, body language, and facial emotions are all picked up by your children. Your words and actions as a parent have a greater impact on their developing self-esteem than anything else.
Praise accomplishments, no matter how modest, and empower children by allowing them to do things on their own. On the other hand, insulting statements or unfair comparisons of one child to another will make children feel worthless.
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Introduce them to nature
One of the most important parenting suggestions is to take toddlers for a walk in the park or in nature at a suitable time of day. When a child goes outside, his or her entire body and mind become active.