Does your overtired toddler continue to fight naps and bedtime? Learn how to get your child back to a normal schedule and sleeping through the night. A few years ago, my extended family hosted a reunion over a three-day weekend. Friday night meant my kids stayed with a babysitter so my husband and I could grab drinks with cousins. The following day was the main event outdoors at the park, while Sunday found us spending the entire day at the beach. With no naps on either Saturday or Sunday, on top of all the stimulation and "newness" of the weekend, my kids were just about fried once all … [Read more...]
How to Discipline a Toddler Who Hits
Frustrated because your child won't stop hitting others, especially you? Learn exactly how to discipline a toddler who hits, all without losing your cool. I was that mom at the park, the mom who practically had to wrestle with her toddler's flailing arms because he was throwing a fit. Apparently it wasn't cool that I was pushing his brother on the swing while I left him on his own—and it was enough to drive him to start hitting me. With three boys, he was the only one who truly took to hitting. Usually he'd hit when he was throwing tantrums, and only toward certain people (ahem: … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your Child Refuses to Eat
Frustrated when your child refuses to eat what you made for dinner? Learn what to do (and not do!) to avoid power struggles and get kids to finally eat. I had cooked orzo pasta for dinner—usually a family favorite—except this particular meal happened to have artichokes. My five-year-old crinkled his nose. "I don't want to eat it," he said, without so much as taking a single bite. "Aren't you hungry?" I asked, hoping his hunger would drive him to at least try one spoonful. "I am," he responded, "but I want something else to eat." And when I told him there was nothing else to eat … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Stop Toddler Power Struggles Many Parents Don’t Think to Do
The toddler power struggle: it's enough to make any mom feel exhausted and lose her patience. Perhaps your stubborn, spirited child fights you on just about everything, throwing anything within arm's reach when she's upset. Getting ready for school or bed have now become a long, frustrating ordeal. You're sick of the tantrums every time you tell her "no," and it feels like she runs the house. And forget about getting her to listen. Nowadays, any time she doesn't get what she wants, an argument almost always ensues. With each toddler power struggle, you realize you need new ideas on … [Read more...]
5 Things Resilient Kids Do Differently
Curious to know why some kids persevere while others don't? Discover the 5 characteristics of a resilient child and what gritty kids do differently. My eight-year-old had done a really neat trick with a blob of slime (yes, slime). He had stretched it out to a thin layer, held it in front of his face, then blew on it to make a "bubble." It looked exactly how bubble gum would look when you blow on it. Not surprisingly, one of my five-year-old twins was intrigued. So much so that he decided he wanted to try the trick as well. At that point, I was already cringing inside. In truth, I … [Read more...]
12 Ways You’re Already Practicing Montessori Parenting Without Even Realizing It
Did you know you're likely practicing Montessori parenting without realizing it? Discover these 12 ways you're applying the Montessori philosophy at home. Confession time: I still brush my five-year-old twins' teeth. Whenever I can help it, I go straight to brushing their teeth, assuming of course that I can do a better job of preventing cavities. Not to mention it's 10 times faster for me to squeeze the toothpaste, fill their cups, and actually brush their teeth than if I left the job to them. My husband, though, has no time for that. Whenever it's his turn to bathe the kids, he … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your Toddler Suddenly Won’t Sleep
Frustrated because your toddler suddenly won't sleep, even when she had once been a great sleeper? Learn how to respond when your child is crying at bedtime! Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. My toddler had always been a pretty good sleeper and, like his brothers, would fall asleep within minutes of tucking him in. He rarely woke up in the middle of the night, and if he did, calming him down and putting him back to sleep was easy. Except there was a stage when, for several weeks, bedtime … [Read more...]
How to Respond to Your Toddler’s Poop Anxiety
Is your toddler afraid to poop in the potty? Discover how to get your child to poop in the potty, stop holding it in, and ease his potty training poop anxiety. The clenched butt, the closed legs, the funny poses your toddler does... all of it would be a lot cuter if you knew he wasn't doing it because he was trying not to poop. Because for the last several days (days!) he won't poop at all, whether in a potty or even in diapers. It started when he was constipated, and passing stool became painful. The problem is, he has now burned this memory in his mind, so much so that he thinks any … [Read more...]
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