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Very little is easy about raising children from infant to adulthood and most especially the toddler years can be some of the most challenging. These little budding people are just waiting to sprout into youngsters and don't quite know how to direct themselves. That is where creative discipline comes in handy when the waters get a little rocky and you feel like throwing in the towel and letting them do whatever they want.
And it is true that taking the path of least resistance can be the easiest way to deal with toddler behavior and sometimes even the most effective strategy. But there will come a time when the little ones need some direction and being creative about it is the best route to go. It makes it more fun for everyone involved.
When a toddler, from about age two to three, becomes disruptive to you and your family life, pay close attention to any triggers that may be setting them off. Sometimes this age child will act out when tired and/or hungry and solving that problem is easier than a swift spanking on the bottom. If food or sleep can be acquired then take that approach first for misbehavior.
When there are other times that your toddler is doing something disruptive like yelling, hitting or throwing things, consider what they like to do best. Some children this age like to help with various tasks. Even when you are out shopping, asking for their help can boost their self-esteem and take their mind off their disruptive behavior. It dosn't necessarily reward their misbehavior but it redirects them.
A common automatic response is to threaten to spank or actually carry through on such a punishment. Usually this only ends up in more crying and outbursts and using some forethought would have been more useful.
For example, at a grocery store, if an eruption is on its way see if you can get your child to help you pick out favorite breakfast items or ask them if they could help mommy find her way to the cereal. Even making the grocery aisle like a maze could sound like more fun to your child then throwing a tantrum. Maybe mommy could pretend to be lost and need her little one's help in finding her way to another food item or the check out counter. In the produce section, ask your child where the different fruits and vegetables come from and ask them to pretend to be a tree that grows apples or a truck that delivers bananas. These different approaches can quickly diffuse a child aimed at causing as much trouble as possible to get what they want. Even if all they get is your discipline they are getting the attention they desire and you have lost the battle.
At home, it can be easier or more difficult to find creative solutions depending on your home. There are usually plenty of household tasks to be tended to and your toddler could help you with laundry or cleaning up toys or playing a game of pretend like was done in the grocery store.
Often it just needs to be a pattern developed with both child and parent to look for creative ways to discipline even if it requires more thought and time. It is well worth the energy spent to stop a temper tantrum in your youngster looking for guidance.
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