Deal or no deal? I’m not talking of the game show.
I am talking about striking a deal with your toddler ... And that’s one tough deal to make.
Well, why did I choose to write on dealing with a toddler, when I’m no expert in the field? The truth of the matter is that “necessity is the mother of invention,” and I have constantly been innovating to keep my little son occupied with something to do when I have something else to do.
As a mother, I have seen a pattern that kids follow. They want to sleep when you eat, they want to play when you are tired and sleepy, they want to poop when you have just got them ready for bed, and they want to have juice when it is time for a meal. The list is endless and the possibility of such things happening on a regular basis is quite high. However, our minds get worked up so soon, that before we realise it, there is a tantrum, a mess to clean, a time out and what not! We then go through the whole cycle of pacifying, cajoling, cuddling and cooling off.
A toddler is a bundle of energy, ever ready to explore the world around and understand the laws of nature. Yes, the beauty of “cause and effect” becomes the key motivator for them to see the wonders of their actions. They may drop a spoon from the high chair, just to enjoy watching you pick it up, over and over again. They may want to drink juice from a cup so as to slurp and make that funny noise. They may want to make their food all squishy, just to get a feel of its texture. Whatever their interest, it gets us adults ready to throw a tantrum ourselves.
There is no quick-fix rule to avoid or eliminate such situations. Always think of it as a learning process. Yes, it may be messy and tiring, but in the end your toddler is learning. Engage your young one’s mind by reading books together, solving puzzles, making art and craft projects and playing around the house.
You need to ensure that you are able to satisfy your toddler’s urge to learn and explore, by providing the right tools and environment. Nowadays I see my son playing with a set of pots and pans, and yesterday I was surprised to see that he had covered the pan with a lid with one hand and holding a spatula in the other. I asked him what he was cooking, and he said something in his mumbo-jumbo of a language. I opened the pot, and lo and behold, he was busy cooking his crayons ... he was stirring and serving it like a chef.
Patience is what we all need in dealing with toddlers. Tonnes of it. They can push you till you reach your limits, so practise being patient and always try to take a deep breath before you let out any steam. To be consistent with your responses and be loving and supporting are the best tools to help your toddler go through this learning phase.
Remember, there is no winning or losing in this game. It is about teaching your child to love, live and learn from his or her environment.
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