Minimize Meltdowns: 14 Ways to Become a Toddler Master Jedi
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Navigating the intricate realm of determined toddlers can feel akin to unraveling a complex puzzle for parents. Wading through the maze of tantrums, selective eating habits, and nighttime battles can be genuinely exhausting, sometimes depleting both your patience and reservoir of creative solutions. However, fear not, as relief is at hand. Tapping into the collective wisdom of an online community, fellow parents have generously shared a wealth of engaging and effective strategies for deftly handling these lively young personalities.
1. Bye Bye Magic
Many parents believe using the simple phrase “bye bye” is magical. One individual shared, “Uttering ‘bye-bye’ to objects has proven remarkably effective in managing transitions. ‘Bye-bye, playground!’ ‘Bye-bye, TV!’ Remarkably, this approach has averted any tantrums!”
“I’ve only recently stumbled onto this hack and it has made life immeasurably easier.” Another user said.
2. Greet and Extend a Hello to Things
On a similar note to bye-bye, another user shared, “I taught my girl to wave and say “hi” to things I don’t want her to touch or grab, which often includes garden plants, bugs, and garbage, among other things. It’s adorable when she waves and says “hi” in her cute toddler voice, and it’s way better than her inadvertently pulling up plants, squishing bugs, and touching nasty things.”
3. Replacing Lunch With Snack
Turn lunchtime frowns into snack-time smiles. Someone said, “My child didn’t want “lunch” but he wanted snacks. So I broke his lunch in a muffin tin, and he loved it.” It’s a genius hack for picky eaters.
4. The Wardrobe Surprise
Say no to fashion battles now with this hack. A mom writes, “My kiddo used to reject all the new clothes I’d buy. However, if I don’t tell her and put it in her drawers, she will eventually pull it out and excitedly wear it.”
5. The Bag of Treasures
“I have a small reusable shopping bag I let my kid carry when we walk. All of her must-have rocks, sticks, flowers, and clumps of dirt end up in the bag. The bag stays outside the front door for the next outing when we get home.” A user said.
6. Emergency Bribes
These are a parent’s secret weapon for handling sticky situations on the go! Someone said, “I keep shelf-stable chocolate milk in the diaper bag for emergency bribes.”
Another added, “So relatable! We buy “monkey Yoo-hoo” as emergency bribes for our opinionated eater.”
7. The Timer Trick
This time management hack turns transitions into a breeze. A user said, “Setting a timer works amazingly well for my 2-year-old to transition from playtime to cleaning or bedtime! She doesn’t even inspect closely what I’m setting it for, so I can say, ok, 2 minutes and then do 90 seconds (shhh!), and when the timer goes off, she’s ready for the next thing.”
8. Toddler’s Wonderland Inside the Box
Is your toddler obsessed with boxes too? A parent shared, “Anything in the box. Big enough for him to sit inside. Crayons always stay in the box, but he can draw on all the box walls. Playdough? In the box. Stickers? In the box. Sometimes we do crayons in the box while he stays in the box while watching a movie. Got two hours to do my things during that one. I love the box. He loves the box.”
9. Salad Spinner
Someone wrote, “A salad spinner is a fun toy that will give you 20 min to make dinner. Put random toys in it and see how fast they go.”
10. Parrot Parenting
Turning protest into cooperation. A user said, “At the end of saying we aren’t doing something, or no to something, I let them protest for a moment. Then I re-explain and say “and you say ok Mama” and the kiddo parrots back “ok Mama” and magically goes about their business about 70% of the time. It’s not failsafe but it is effective!” Cool mommy hack?
11. Use Their Favorite Shows as Examples
Someone said, “Whatever we are doing, Blippi is doing. Blippi is going night night right now! Blippi loves baths! Blippi is eating dinner at his house!” This hack works wonders to get the actions you want.
12. Play and Clean
A mom shared this clever hack where she takes the role of the needy baby, and her daughter takes on the role of the caring mom. As “the baby struggles” with bedtime because the room is messy, the child happily cleans up the room, making the mom feel like a real baby being cared for. By the end of the game, the room is spotless, and everyone is happy.”
13. Dance it Out
A user wrote, “When a tantrum is looming, switch gears and have a silly dance party. Dancing is a fantastic way to release pent-up energy and turn frowns upside down.” Simply great.
14. Storytime Swap
“When your toddler refuses to do something, take turns making up a story with them. After your turn, they have to do the task, and then it’s their turn to add to the story. It keeps them engaged and motivated.” Said a user.
30 Embarrassing Birth Moments That’ll have You Laughing
Are you prepared for a bit of humor? Childbirth, while undeniably gratifying, can also be an arduous and occasionally painful process. With the physical discomfort, emotional roller coasters, and the multitude of choices to be made, it’s hardly astonishing that countless mothers and fathers discover themselves in hilariously awkward scenarios during delivery!
30 Embarrassing Birth Moments That’ll have You Laughing
30 Disastrous Baby Names That Parents Sadly Name Their Kids
Choosing a name for a newborn is a weighty responsibility for new parents, as it wields a profound influence on a child’s identity. Yet, what unfolds when the selected name emerges as undeniably cringe-worthy? Some parents go to great lengths to deviate from tradition, occasionally venturing into the domain of bewilderment, which leaves others puzzled and scratching their heads.
30 Disastrous Baby Names That Parents Sadly Name Their Kids
21 Hilariously Memorable Parenting Moments- All While Keeping a Straight Face
If your kid is doing the wrong thing, it’s best not to do something that will encourage them. Kids come without filters; sometimes, they misbehave while still being their delightful little selves. Their little goofs can be so adorable that you’re tempted to hi-five them.
21 Hilariously Memorable Parenting Moments- All While Keeping a Straight Face
How to Be a Good Mother: 16 Practical Tips
Being a mom is one of the world’s most important, challenging, and rewarding jobs. It’s also one of the most difficult to define. What does it mean to be a good mother? There are as many answers to that question, but none of them have anything to do with striving for perfection or doing more.
How to Be a Good Mother: 16 Practical Tips
Do You Know Your Birth Month Flowers? A Fun Way to Celebrate Birthdays
You might know your birthstone or your zodiac sign. You might even have a few pieces of jewelry with your stone or secretly browse your horoscope in a monthly magazine. But did you know people have birth flowers?
Do You Know Your Birth Month Flowers? A Fun Way to Celebrate Birthdays
