Do you need help for the toddler years? Experiencing the “terrible” twos or threes?
After several children – including a few that really tried my patience – I eventually learned what worked and has continued to work. It may not be an answer for everyone, but I feel that most humans benefit from many of these habits!
I wish that I had done these things right away when my older children were young. But, better late than never, right?
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We have “tested” the effectiveness of these tips and immediately saw the negative consequences of our lack of discipline. Now, we have learned to stay consistent as much as possible, especially in the toddler years.
Also, as my children have gotten older (ten or so) we have given them more opportunities to make their own choices. They have learned on their own the “cause & effect” or “natural consequences” of their choices.
In our experience, most of these tips are great for everyone to follow. Whether developing toddlers, teens going through their growth spurt and needing hormone balancing, or adults!
My husband and I implement some of these things (especially routine and diet-related) for ourselves and the whole family. But, without further ado – here are things you can try to help your child!
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Very important: she/he WILL act worse when implementing these things at first but don’t give up. It may take a few days to a few weeks before starts balancing his mood at all.
Help For The Toddler Years | Practical Tips For Maintaining A Stable Mood For Everyone
- Eliminate (best) or severely limit sugar, dyes, screen time, and processed foods.
- Focus on active/productive play or activities.
- Give him meaningful activities(chores) that you can do with him and praise him for helping.
- Create a routine for waking up, eating, chore time, educational time, playtime, bedtime, etc. to give him stability and security.
- Give him long/full/tight hugs and read to him when he’s not acting out.
- Stay calm, firm, and consistent with any consequences you decide on.
- You may need to adjust your life and make it so you can stay home more often than not while helping him readjust.
- Once he’s been detoxed from sugar, dyes, screen time, and processed foods don’t let him go back to them for a long while and only introduce very small amounts to see how he does. Sugar, dyes, screen time, and all the chemical preservatives in processed foods are just too much for little bodies and brains. They are not healthy for adult brains/bodies!
- Yes, he may be exhibiting ADHD but that may be caused by sugar, dyes, screen time (over-stimulation), etc., and could be helped if you do all of the above.
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This may seem extreme, but the mental (and physical) health of your child and your family is worth far more than sugar, dyes, screens, processed foods, or a busy social life. It is hard work but hard is not bad. Most good things are also hard things.
You can do it, mama (and papa). Dedicate yourself to what is good and right and may God bless your efforts!
What would YOU add to this list of tips to help toddlers and teens navigate growing/developmental changes? Please leave your best tips in the comments section for all moms!
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This is a great list! The one thing I would add is include add much outside time as possible EVERY day–regardless of weather. Yes, there’s some days going out just isn’t feasible, but most days it is possible, even if just for a short while.
Absolutely! I don’t know how I forgot that! It’s something we had to do intentionally every day when we lived in town, but happens naturally now that we live on our little farm.