Sound familiar? I'm sure all of you parents can relate. And here's the worst part: did you know that you're probably the reason that your toddler doesn't listen to you?
ARE YOU GIVING YOUR TODDLER TOO MUCH CONTROL?
Scott and I used to ask Beau questions about EVERY decision without even realizing we were doing it. We'd say, "Should we go eat breakfast?" "Want to go get dressed?" No wonder she was always telling us no and walking all over us—we were asking her approval for everything.
It wasn't until my friend Lily Morgan of Parenting Simplified—a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in behavior and discipline with families and children, including my own!—pointed this out that I realized we were doing it so often. We were basically handing over control to Beau.
TIPS TO GET YOUR TODDLER TO LISTEN:
Lily suggested that we give Beau choices rather than asking her yes/no questions. So, for example, rather than asking if we should go eat breakfast, we should instead give her a choice of what to eat—"Would you like Cheerios or oatmeal for breakfast?" It sound so simple, but guess what? It worked! As Lily explains, "Choices help children feel like they have some control."
Hop over to Parenting Simplified to read more of Lily's advice for giving children choices and helping them listen—plus two things parents should avoid doing.
