Parenting a Toddler

A toddler's favorite word at one point is going to be "NO". They learn it well and will use it over and over to let you know that they are not approving what is being said, done, or offered to them. This is when those toddler tantrums are revealed as well.

The best thing to do to ride out a tantrum is to ignore it as long as they are not injuring themselves or others. When they notice no attention is being given to them during the tantrum, they are likely to give up much more quickly. The more you try to make a toddler do something against their will, the stronger the tantrums will be.

What some parents forget is that a toddler is a little person and they have feelings as well. Talking to them with respect is just as important as talking to an adult but with obvious tone differences. It teaches them respect at an early age.

Teaching them the appropriate manners early on will manifest itself in the long run as well. They may even show you a hint of those manners when they surprise you with please and thank you. They are not too young to learn manners.

They are also not too young for learning experiences. Their little minds are like sponges and can soak up more knowledge than we could possibly expect. From counting to ABC's the possibilities are endless. Reading to a toddler is definitely advisable since this sharpens and stimulates their little brains. Try picking very short, age appropriate stories since their attention spans are barely 3 minutes long or so.

Toddlers can either be very picky eaters or they will eat whatever you offer them. Either way it's important to cut up food in small enough bites that will prevent them from choking. The biggest choking hazard for food is hot dogs. If these are not cut up into the tiniest bites, it can lodge in their little throats causing them to choke.

It's important as a parent to become certified in first aide and CPR. Because toddlers can be so clumsy, a lot of things could happen and you want to be prepared.

Make sure your house is baby and or child proof. Make sure that the tiniest objects aren't accessible to them since these are also choking hazards. Make sure all outlets have protectors over them preventing electrical shock.

Parenting a toddler as you see can sound intimidating and stressful but staying on top and watching their every move is so very important. Never turn your back on a toddler for they are surely unpredictable.