5 Things Your Toddler Expects From You

As parents we have so many expectations from our kids, But have you ever thought our kids as young as a toddler could have some expectations from us?! Yes indeed. Let's find out what toddlers want their parents to do frequently and mind you they are serious about it. Read this carefully, especially for new parents, and embrace the journey of delightful parenting with a smile.

Dealing with toddlers- Best Parenting tips for new parents!

Parenting Tips- 5 Things Your Toddler Expects From You

Love, love, and love

Sounds obvious huh? Still, we as parents forget to remind our darling that we love him/ her so much. Whether it is your phone call, business meeting, grocery time, cooking time, laundry, or anything else, it takes a few seconds to look into his eyes and say," I love you, dear". This is one of the best parenting tips for new parents.

                                                 Related post: Love begets love


Lots of hugs and kisses

 A hug and gentle kiss can calm down a crying child. No matter how small may be the cause of her crying or no matter whatever mistake he committed with his little hands, in the end, it's your hug and kisses that he expects from you. 

This is the only way to make him learn from his mistakes. Mind it, he does not understand your anger, stress, or fears. He understands your soft touch and gentle voice.

                                       Related post: Hug has magical powers


Appreciation

Your toddler has learned to stack blocks and he looks up to you for your attention and appreciation. Your one compliment, "well done my child" fills him with happiness and encouragement. Your appreciation will make him cross several milestones and even after years, he will remember your words of encouragement.

                                        Related post: Appreciate your kid often

Your time

Toddlers expect play time with their parents!

Often we parents meet out the essential duties like changing nappies, feeding the kid, dropping at the playschool, etc, etc., but are not able to find time to spend quality time. Do spend some fun time with kids, simply join them in whatever they do, run around, make noises or jump.

Play board games or read out special age-appropriate books with them. This time won't come back again, you know.

                                           
Laugh out louder

Smile more and laugh louder when you are with your toddler. Show her your positive and bright side so that she imbibes the same in her. This is the easiest way to make kids happy and confident.

                                            Related post:  Laugh out loud with kids

In addition to the above, new parents need to follow these do's and don'ts to sail through this phase of toddlers.

Positive Parenting Tips For New Parents

Parenting can feel overwhelming at times. And there are no hard-fast rules for raising your munchkins right because every child is different. However, the following parenting tips for toddlers from in-the-know parents can help you make the journey through parenthood a little more fun! 

Don’t be Fussy About Meals

                                                         

Keep toddler meal time happy and calm.

Remember, toddlers are expected to have odd food habits. So, when your kid throws a tantrum about eating. Don’t rush or panic. Instead, offer a variety of meals and let them eat what they want whenever they want.

                           Fun Summer Printable Games - Free Download

Instill the Habit of an Early Bedtime

Sleep is as essential to your kids as it is to you to recharge your batteries. An early bedtime routine goes a long way and helps you and your child get the well-rested time you need to get started for the next day.

       

Let Your Kids Hear No for an Answer

It is not advisable for new parents to give in to all the requests that their kids make. Occasionally, it is better to turn down the desideratum that is not in the best interest of your child.

 

      
Helping Babies and Toddlers Learn, Second Edition

Create Small Traditions

Small traditions help you connect with your child at the psychological and emotional levels. It can be as small as decorating their rooms with balloons and streamers before they wake up on their birthday. 

Or it can be a special handshake or a sweet gesture before bedtime. How about reading to your child before they go to sleep every night? It keeps you connected with your kids and lets them know you care.

 

Go Slow with Transitions

Remember, your kids will grow eventually, and their needs will change. So, you will be making transitions over time from crib to bed or walker to tricycle. 

But, the changes do not have to be overwhelming for your kids. Give them time to adjust and let them accept the sensory experience before you rush the transitions for them.

 

Are you hurting self-esteem of your growing kid?

                                                                      

While it's okay to feel low sometimes but feeling low about oneself continuously is not a good sign, especially among growing kids. Sometimes, even as parents, we can't estimate the causes of low self-esteem in kids. Several reasons make a child less confident and sadly, at times, parents contribute to low self-confidence in their own child.

A kid with low self-esteem feels lonely and left out.

Now when a kid has deficient self-esteem then it needs to be rectified before it has a severe effect on the psyche and life of the kid. The first step to handling low self-esteem in your growing kid is to ascertain probable reasons for the same. Find out if you as a parent have done or undone something that is hurting the confidence of your child.

Reasons that hurt the self-esteem of growing kid

Let us check out probable causes of low self-esteem and make sure your tween/ teen is not going through the same:

When a kid feels neglected:

The absence of personal attention and support from parents may lead to low self-esteem in the kid. Whether parents are occupied with work or over-engaged on social media, providing quality time to kids is mandatory to make them feel secure. However, if you can’t keep your hands off your laptop or mobile while your kid is eager to share his story then he may feel neglected to cause a dip in confidence.

If you have older children to entertain, then check out these wacky printable Christmas party games for teens. They break the ICE, not the BANK! 

When you over-interfere:

                                              

                                                   

Being over-caring can adversely affect the confidence of a child.

If you are one of those who make sure to instruct their tween now and then or check what they are doing all the time, then the child may feel you don’t trust his abilities. Your overindulgence in his every decision and action may erode his confidence to work and achieve independently. So better, keep a check on your over-caring attitude!

When you forget to appreciate enough:

You remember to pinpoint their mistakes but often forget to appreciate their small achievements or endeavors. Instead of showing the right path, if you become overly critical of his actions or use harsh words for the child, the result is your teen feels he is not good enough.

This is not what you want to happen, right?

Related post:  Appreciate your child often

When you compare with peers:

To boost the confidence of your child, you compare her to siblings or peers, but it backfired! Constant comparison of the performance or behavior of your child with others or pushing your kid to become like others will definitely cause serious damage to her self-esteem. Check this habit before it destroys the self-esteem of your child!

                                                            

When you do not respect:

Mocking their behavior in front of your friends or spelling out their weaknesses with other adults disgust your child. When you try to prove that your child is silly, not good enough or bad at something, he assumes that he is not worthy of his parents.

When you give up on your child:

        

When you give up the hope that your teenager can improve, he also gives up his hope, you know. Your discouraging attitude and words have a deep negative effect on him that may not be reversible.

So, before you expect your child to be responsible, sensible, or anything else, check if you have any of the above habits that can damage his self-esteem. I hope these parenting tips for preteens and tweens will go a long to building healthy relationships with your growing child.

Related post:  Raise happy and optimistic kids

Proactive ways to avoid tantrums of kids in public

                                                   

Have you seen kids throwing tantrums in full public view, in the middle of the marketplace, in the park, or maybe at the clinic? You thought your kids will not behave like that, until one day your kid actually embarrasses you with an unstoppable tantrum. It is natural whether you like it or not.
However, it can be avoided, diverted, or managed with some proactive ways How? Let's read now!

Proactive ways to avoid tantrums of kids in public

Share your list of work to be done or shopping list 

                                                       
Start planning for a smooth shopping experience with your child from home itself. Share the purpose of your visit, the necessary things you need to buy/ do. Let him know how he will benefit if this task is done smoothly. Interestingly, the child will look forward to the shopping experience with you.

Let the child make his own shopping list to avoid tantrums in public.

Allot specific tasks to your child while grocery shopping

Show your kid the items you need to buy such as corn flakes, biscuits, etc. Ask him to look out for these cartons/ packets while in the store so that he focuses on your purchases and not his own. This would prompt his participation in your work without getting diverted to other things that may lead to tantrums.

Ask your child to make his own list

 Ask your child at home to share what he/ she wants from the store and discuss whether you can fulfill that requirement or not. If the thing is worthy then note it down in your list in front of him so that he is assured that his demand will be met. So chances of the kid being happy and not cranky are higher!

Never move out of the house on an empty stomach

Before you step out with your kid especially for shopping, always have a good meal/ snack time with him. That will ensure your toddler/ kid will not throw tantrum to buy a snack or drink for him as soon as you reach the store. Though it's a bit difficult that your toddler does not cry for anything at all yet you can take this proactive action.

                                           

Also, you can allow him to carry his own small bag with his favorite snack, biscuit, book, and toy which may help him to stay engaged for a longer duration.

                                   Related post- How to deal with anger in kids?

Make rules and stay consistent

Tell your child clearly how to voice his demands when outside. Also, make clear he can have his way only if he is polite enough and tantrums will only lead to loss of rewards. In addition, you can inform him that you are going for a definite time to complete certain tasks and need to return on time.

You can give him options for enjoying his toy or listening to music or reading a book if he feels bored. All the while, you need to repeat the rules of staying calm and polite when you go out so that the child remembers them before throwing a tantrum.

Keeping engaged is the mantra

        

Discover your own unique way to engage your kid.

Keep talking to your child or make stories so that your kid remains entertained. Remember the problem generally starts the moment he has nothing to do or think about. On your trip, sing a song,  show him different colors, and teach him different shapes to keep his mind occupied.

For an older child, you can explore a whole lot of conversation which allows him to think more and stay occupied. If all this does not suffice then you have your phone to offer him a quick diversion from public meltdown to staying calm!

Try these parenting tips to avoid the tantrums of kids while outside for a great experience!

Read more:

5 things you need to say to your kid daily

5 Things to avoid in your child's presence

Kids are fast learners than you can think. Whatever you do or speak gets imprinted on their minds and you can soon find them doing or saying the same. Scary, no? There are certain things which you would not like them to learn and do. For that you will have to avoid the following things in your child's presence:

Parenting Tips- 5 things to Avoid in Your Child's Presence

Yelling at each other

Getting mad at something or at someone happens with everyone. And at that moment, we let our emotions blurt out.

Avoid losing temper and yelling in front of kids.

However, for parents, losing your temper and yelling at each other is certainly a bad example for kids. Try to maintain your composure even in adverse situations. That ways your kid will also learn to handle his emotions and situations calmly.


Acting sarcastically

A good sense of humor adds so much fun to conversations. A little bit of teasing or pulling someone else's leg is normal as well.

However, making fun of somebody sarcastically or letting someone down may not go down well with your kid. Your kids have high regard for you and the only way to retain that respect is through respectful behavior for others. Choose your words carefully and act in the way you expect from others.


Think before you utter your next fib

As parents, we want our kids to imbibe the best values like honesty, courtesy, etc. But when it comes to ourselves, telling small lies seems okay as it makes our life convenient at times. However, there is a flip side to this.

Fibs may be entertaining for you but in the long run, you are teaching your kids that telling lies is okay. So, be honest and genuine as far as possible in front of your kids. Your actions set the foundation for your kid's behavior.

                              
Hooked to internet
                               

Social media has become part and parcel of our daily life. In fact, it helps us to stay connected with friends and family.

But, too much online connection with distant friends may result in disconnection with your own kids. Moreover, you need to set a good example in front of your kids by way of spending quality time with them both indoors and outdoors.

                              Related post: Children deserve your quality time

Using shameful words in front of kids

Using curse words has become'in' somehow. Many of us use these words to express our feelings on various occasions. Do we really need to use these words?

If you want your child not to use particular words then you need to check yourself first while talking to someone over the phone or arguing with the neighbor and other situations. The kids pick these words fast and may become a part of their habit.



                               Related post: Raise optimistic and happy kids

Love shrinks stress levels in kids

Mounting stress levels among kids is surely a cause of concern. Pandemic uncertainty, online classes, lack of interaction with friends, school performance, exam stress, extracurricular activities, bullying, cybercrimes, busy schedules, expectations of parents are some of the reasons that cause stress among kids.

Growing Stress Level in Kids

Kids and Stress Levels

Kids may not be able to understand the reasons behind the growing confusion, anger, restlessness, sleepless nights, lack of concentration, low self-esteem, inability to socialize, baseless fears, and insecurities. 

However, parents themselves have gone through these phases at one point or the other in their life and they can relate very well to the tension levels among their children. Therefore, they need to take initiative and help children to calm down and diffuse stress out of their life.

                                                           www.bookroo.com   

                                               

Love shrinks stress levels in kids

Best Tips to Reduce Stress Levels in Kids

The undivided and unconditional love of parents to their children can shoo away any kind of confusion or tension in kids. Parents can take the following steps to shower love and give whole-hearted support to their children:

• Pay attention and provide exclusive time to your stressed-out kid. Switch off your mobile and laptop for some time when your kid wants you to be with him or her.
• Listen to his/ her thoughts, feelings, and fears. Allow him to open up and vent out whatever is going in his/ her head.
• Lend your shoulder and let him/ her cry for some time. Contrary to general belief, crying helps to relieve pain and reduce stress. It helps to maintain the emotional fitness of a person. 
• Do not let kids repress or hide their feelings. The sooner they share emotions, the better the chances they will come out of the trauma/ pain.
• Show them the brighter side of the situation. Your kind and encouraging words will have a deep impact on the psyche of the child. You can turn a bad phase into a stepping stone and convert frowns into smiles.
• The unexpected situation, calamity, etc., causes kids to ponder over the future and may make them fear the consequences. Such times demand that parents be extra vigilant and loving towards kids. The parents need to avoid discussing adverse situations in front of the kids to keep them calm.
• Play indoor games with kids of their age, this will refresh both of you.

Related Post- 5 Things To Avoid in Your Child's Presence

Follow the above parenting tips to reduce stress among kids. All these ways are signs of your Love for kids.

Let your LOVE  prevail in the minds of children, and surely their stress or anxiety will blow out of their life.

Related search:

Top stress busters for kids

Prepare your child for the real world

Let us do a reality check. Our children are surrounded by all sorts of entertainment. Gadgets, television, movies, malls, the internet, iPods, fancy toys, and so many other things take them away from the real world. Throughout their school life, the children demand and get things done for them. They are living in some kind of dreamland with a golden spoon in their mouths. 

Prepare kids for the real world!

After that, they are suddenly introduced to the world which is new for them. There are thousands of children on the streets who either beg for their next meal or are forced to work when they should be playing while our kids either spill or leave their plates half-finished. The latter ones hardly need to stand in queues or travel in public transport or walk. They have the latest models of cars and wish for private aircraft. Trains and buses are so outdated stuff! 

Related post- Shrink Greedy Attitude in kids and Develop Gratitude

We brought up our children with so much protection and luxury that they don't know what does hardship means. However, out there is a selfish and biased world that is unkind to the novice entrants. Survival of the fittest is the rule and means to stay ahead. Everybody is pushed into a never-ending race, a neck-to-neck competition, and a perpetual struggle of ego and power. 

Now consider another aspect. The front-page headline reads that a teenager assaulted by a neighbor. And your young boy is having a look at that piece of news. What would you do? Take away that paper or ignore the question in the eyes of your child that what actually the news mean? Just one more instance to ponder. One of your close family members is having a life-threatening disease. Would you conceal or would you make your child aware of the reality? Do you have the guts to make your child face the reality of life and death? Or maybe you don't want him to feel the pain. Or are you scared of all the questions that he will ask about these sensitive issues of life? 

Related post- Parenting Tips to protect Kids from COVID-19 Pandemic

Who is supposed to enlighten the child about these critical and sensitive issues? These are just some of the questions which have been narrated. There are just too many things that need to be explained to the child which as a parent might not have caught our attention. Maybe we have thought of discussing these subjects with our kids when they grow up. It is important to prepare your child for the real world and make him wiser. 

He may be a good artist, player, singer, or student. Maybe he is very intelligent and sensible. Still, he needs your experience and wisdom to take the world in his stride. The writer is not a preacher. These are just a thought process that has come across and shared with all of you. Here each one of you is welcome to come up with your own experience where your child has come up with a certain sensitive issue and the way you handled it.

Related post-

Cultivate Critical Thinking Skills in kids

Raise optimistic and happy kids!!

Tweet

Every parent wants to raise optimistic and happy kids. However, some kids are happy and cheerful by nature while most of them need to be trained to achieve a positive attitude. Well, this behavioural approach of kids has a huge amount of impact on their future life and on their personalities. Like, one child with the habit of grumbling and blaming will be irritable and dejected most of the time. Whereas a child with a happy disposition will have a positive frame of mind and learn to take things in stride.