I thought that it would be a good idea for people to add what things they have hit on that work for them in their parenting. It can be anything from dealing with sleep to tantrums.
DH and I can add three things to get everyone started:
1. When DS (2yrs) doesn't want to eat his dinner we invite one of his 'friends' over (one of his favourite stuffed toys).Once he sees them gobbling up his dinner he always gets involves and usually eats most of it. It is a fun way to convince him to eat something.
2. When singing him to sleep in his cot, the songs are 'eyelid' powered. They stop when his eyelids are open and start again when they are shut. Helps to get him to sleep on those difficult nights.
3. When faced with something he doesn't want to do we (almost) always give him a choice. For example if he doesn't want to get a nappy change he can choose whether I or DH do it. Or he can choose to have it done on the change table or the couch. When thinking of choices I always try to keep in mind what the ultimate aim is. For example if we are dealing with a difficult bathtime I try to remember the aim is not for him to have a bath but to be clean so his choice is to have a bath or have a clean down with a washer etc.
Keen to hear everyone elses tips that they haven't had a chance to pass on before.
The choice thing is a good one in lots areas. I always give DD1 2 choices for breakfast and lunch so she'll eat. And now DD2 is around I always ask DD1 whos nappy I can change first so that way we have easier nappy change times (rather than her running off).
She generally is quite good with putting things away but on the odd occasion she refuses I give her the choice she can help me put them away in the toy room or help me put them in the bin, that gets her helping!
Things that work/help with my 2yr old:
* If she is struggling to eat dinner we say "5 more mouthfulls" and hold up 5 fingers. Each finger has a 'secret sound' so after each mouthfull she gets to push a finger down and hear what funny sound it makes (animal noises, random things, raspberries etc!)
* If she doesnt want to brush teeth/hair I give her a brush and she does mine while I do hers!
thanks everyone, i love these. My DD has just turned one, so i don't have many useful toddler tips yet, but will definitely add mine when i get some. These tips are great!
Things that work
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