Managing Toddlers

[bananarama]

managing toddlers - a challenging yet rewarding phase!

As parents/caregivers, we know the toddler years come with their unique set of challenges - from tantrums to sibling rivalry, picky eating, and those ever-curious exploration attempts!

Let's share our experiences and tips on navigating these precious years with success stories and strategies to make it a little easier. Whether it's ways to foster independence, encourage good habits, or manage the many 'firsts' that come with this stage, let's discuss them here!

 

[sunnydays]

One strategy that helps my toddler is creating a visual schedule for their day. I use pictures and write out the activities so they know what to expect. For example, after breakfast is cleanup time, then we go outside, followed by quiet reading time.

It gives them a sense of control and prepares them for the upcoming activities. It also helps reduce those toddler meltdowns as they can see and process the structure of their day. You can tailor it to your child's preferences and interests - making it fun and engaging!

 

[nature]

One strategy that helps my toddler is creating a visual schedule for their day. I use pictures and write out the activities so they know what to expect. For example, after breakfast is cleanup time, then we go outside, followed by quiet reading time.

It gives them a sense of control and prepares them for the upcoming activities. It also helps reduce those toddler meltdowns as they can see and process the structure of their day. You can tailor it to your child's preferences and interests - making it fun and engaging!

Visual schedules are a great way to help toddlers understand and prepare for their day. It gives them some independence, especially for those who can't read yet, to anticipate what's next and feels like they're in control. Helps to reduce uncertainties!

Tailoring it with stickers or drawings of their favorite characters could make it more fun too!

 

[travelmum]

One strategy that helps my toddler is creating a visual schedule for their day. I use pictures and write out the activities so they know what to expect. For example, after breakfast is cleanup time, then we go outside, followed by quiet reading time.

It gives them a sense of control and prepares them for the upcoming activities. It also helps reduce those toddler meltdowns as they can see and process the structure of their day. You can tailor it to your child's preferences and interests - making it fun and engaging!

Visual schedules are a lifesaver! I find that consistency and routine greatly help toddlers feel secure, and including them in the process of creating the schedule adds a fun twist. Stick-on pictures and a simple sentence or two for each activity work well. You're right - it gives them an sense of anticipation and prepares them for changes throughout the day.

 

[eternity]

Visual schedules are a lifesaver! I find that consistency and routine greatly help toddlers feel secure, and including them in the process of creating the schedule adds a fun twist. Stick-on pictures and a simple sentence or two for each activity work well. You're right - it gives them an sense of anticipation and prepares them for changes throughout the day.

Having a daily routine helps toddler's sense of stability especially when they can anticipate what's coming next. A visual schedule is a great way to achieve that! 10 out of 10 would recommend this easy and fun tactic!

What other strategies do you all use to keep those young ones in check?

 

[wellness]

Routines are a lifesaver with toddlers! We also make sure to give lots of advance notice for transitions and stick to a consistent bedtime routine - it really helps with our little one's sense of stability. She knows what to expect and it makes her feel secure, especially during the day when we follow the visual schedule you mentioned.

We use picture clues for each activity, which she now loves helping set up and adjust throughout the day. It's become a fun game for her and also keeps her engaged and occupied! Win-win!

 

[stargazer]

That's awesome to hear! It's so true - consistency and routine are key with toddlers. They thrive on knowing what comes next, and it really helps them feel in control when they can visualize what's ahead. Love the idea of using picture clues too; making it a fun game is such a great way to keep them engaged and involved. Sounds like you've got a great system going!

 

[wisdom]

That's awesome to hear! It's so true - consistency and routine are key with toddlers. They thrive on knowing what comes next, and it really helps them feel in control when they can visualize what's ahead. Love the idea of using picture clues too; making it a fun game is such a great way to keep them engaged and involved. Sounds like you've got a great system going!

It certainly helps to occupy their time and keep tantrums at bay with these fun little tricks up our sleeves! Picture clues work like a charm, especially for my little one who loves all things visuals. You probably already know this, but consistency is definitely not the time nor effort wasted - it's surprising how quickly those cues become second nature to them!

 

[stargazer]

Absolutely agree! Visuals grab their attention and give great prompts, and before long it just becomes second nature - it's amazing how quickly they learn. Consistency is key!

 

[sunflower]

Absolutely agree! Visuals grab their attention and give great prompts, and before long it just becomes second nature - it's amazing how quickly they learn. Consistency is key!

The simplicity of these strategies amazes me sometimes - they're so straightforward yet incredibly effective! You guys have got this parenting thing down pat! Any other simple yet impactful tips to share that have helped you manage your toddlers?

 

[sunnybunny]

Toddlers thrive on routine and familiarity. Establishing a consistent daily schedule provides them with predictability and helps them feel secure. Mealtimes, naptimes, and bedtimes are anchors for their day, so keeping these times consistent makes a huge difference! Also, simple phrases like "We'll do it after your lunch/nap" provide much-needed advance notice and context about what's next in their day - this has helped us avoid many tantrums! And when you're out and about, carrying a few inexpensive fidget toys or small snacks in your purse/diaper bag can be a lifesaver to keep their little hands busy without the constant need for screen time.

 

[sportytina]

Great tips! Keeping to a routine is so important - it's amazing how much difference it makes to their sense of security. We also make sure to have a few busy bags and snacks on us whenever we're out, especially when travelling or running errands. It definitely curbs the boredom (and subsequent meltdowns) when we're waiting somewhere or stuck in traffic etc.

 

[sunnydays]

Great tips! Keeping to a routine is so important - it's amazing how much difference it makes to their sense of security. We also make sure to have a few busy bags and snacks on us whenever we're out, especially when travelling or running errands. It definitely curbs the boredom (and subsequent meltdowns) when we're waiting somewhere or stuck in traffic etc.

Having a few distractionary tactics up your sleeve is a genius move! Snacks are a great go-to and often a parent's saving grace haha. Anything to keep the peace when out and about!

 

[greenfingers]

Great tips! Keeping to a routine is so important - it's amazing how much difference it makes to their sense of security. We also make sure to have a few busy bags and snacks on us whenever we're out, especially when travelling or running errands. It definitely curbs the boredom (and subsequent meltdowns) when we're waiting somewhere or stuck in traffic etc.

Busy bags are amazing for some hands-free independent play! And you're right - they're a real lifesaver when eating out too haha. Having a few sustainable, reusable bags with different small toys and fidgets is also a nice way to bring some variety into the mix. And of course, snacks are always the ultimate distraction, haha!

 

[wellness]

Having a few distractionary tactics up your sleeve is a genius move! Snacks are a great go-to and often a parent's saving grace haha. Anything to keep the peace when out and about!

Yup yup, you bet! You eventually learn to arm yourself with all sorts of tricks after some trying experiences hahaha. Snacks usually work well because they're readily available and easy to toss into the bag without much thought. The occasional treat is an added bonus too - makes it a fun surprise for surviving a tough outing! But really, sometimes you just need all the calm and quiet before the storm...I mean..before picking up your little bundle of energy from school! Haha!

 

[techsavvy]

Snacks and treats are definitely a toddler's weakness - they seem to work like magic especially for those really exhausting days out! But yes, having some peace and quiet before the inevitable energy burst after school is a great tactic! It buys you some time and gives the little one something fun to look forward too. A win-win situation!

 

[queenie]

Totally agree! Snacks are a life saver, especially for those growing bodies. It's amazing how something so simple can buy you some peace and give yourself a little boost to keep going. Win-win indeed!

 

[nature]

Snacks and treats are definitely a toddler's weakness - they seem to work like magic especially for those really exhausting days out! But yes, having some peace and quiet before the inevitable energy burst after school is a great tactic! It buys you some time and gives the little one something fun to look forward too. A win-win situation!

Having a quiet moment to yourself while the tot is occupied can make a world of difference - be it with snacks, toys or activities! You can recharge and mentally prep for the afternoon ahead, haha!

 

[cissy]

Totally agree! Snacks are a life saver, especially for those growing bodies. It's amazing how something so simple can buy you some peace and give yourself a little boost to keep going. Win-win indeed!

You bet! Simple pleasures like these make parenting somewhat manageable...hahaha.

 

[bookworm]

Totally agree! Snacks are a life saver, especially for those growing bodies. It's amazing how something so simple can buy you some peace and give yourself a little boost to keep going. Win-win indeed!

Simple pleasures like snacks often leave the biggest impact on little ones, don't they? Their world is so fascinating and keeping up can be tiring, exhausted as we may get! All these little strategies make such a difference in keeping things running smoothly.