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Archive for the ‘Toddlers’ Category

by Beverly Frank

Bath time can be a fight for a mom or dad with a stubborn toddler. However, there are some things you can do to make it fun so that you can both get through it without feeling frustrated by the end. The very most important thing is to make sure the temperature is correct. If a toddler has ever been put into a tub that is too hot or too cold, they may resist getting into the tub from there on out. So, every time, have them check the water with their hand, and you stick your elbow in, before you put them in. This will help eliminate the fear, and let them get on to the fun.

Bath toys. Bath toys are a great way to make bath time more exciting. You can get boats, rubber ducks, basketball hoops that suction to the tub wall, and all kinds of other toys. Just remember that too many toys can be overwhelming, and kids get bored. So rotate the bath toys so that they do not have to use the same ones every time they get in the tub.

Bath crayons. Crayola has created a line of bath crayons, that are washable crayons you can write on the sides of the tub with. Kids have a lot of fun expressing their creativity with these colorful crayons. Even a stubborn toddler may let you wash their hair and behind their ears if it means they get to draw on the tub. Just be sure they know not to do it with real crayons or markers, as they won’t wash off as easily.

Fun soap. These days you can get all kinds of soaps, bubble baths, and lathers for kids to make bath time more fun. You can get a soap in their favorite character bottle. You can get soap in different scents, colors, foaming, or not foaming, etc. Help them have fun washing up with soap that is user friendly. They may want a presoaped washcloth to scrub their toes clean, and be more willing to get clean if the soap is fun.

Bath songs. Next, make it interactive. Toddlers, even stubborn ones, will get into the fun of things if you sing a song about washing them up as you do so. Either make up a song, or look up “bath time songs” online for a list of ideas to help you progress through the various stages of cleaning your child with tunes.

Most kids do not want to take a bath if it is going to be boring, so make sure that they feel like they are involved, and get to make some of the decisions. Let them pick their towel before you put them in, and help them look forward to this one on one time together.

Beverly Frank is a stay-at-home mom and writer. For more parenting tips, visit http://www.surfnetparents.com.

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by Fred Crier

Running errands. Two simple words that are enough to frighten parents with toddlers. The simple task of going to the grocery store is much more complicated when you know that you have to worry about the very real possibility that your little bundle of joy will collapse without warning into a heap of yelling and screaming. With that in mind, I want to give you three tips on how to stop tantrums before they start.

How to Stop Tantrums – Tip #1 Give Your Toddler Lots of Attention

Toddlers and preschoolers are at their core, very selfish. This is not meant as an insult, but as a realistic picture of their development. They are unable, for the most part, to think about anything but themselves. So think of going to the grocery store from your little one’s perspective. The trip starts with the ever boring ride to the store where he is in the back seat all by himself. This is followed by a long ride in the shopping cart while you hurriedly try to gather all the things that you need. Then another lonely ride in the back seat.

I know that it is tempting to put on a movie for the ride to the grocery store and to get the carts that have the tv screens built in. Don’t do it! While these things may entertain your child for a short time, they are by no means a replacement for the attention that they crave. On the way to the store, instead of watching a movie you can talk to your child, sing with him, or play “I spy”. This attention at the beginning of the trip will lower the frustration level of your child and make a tantrum less likely.

How to Stop Tantrums – Tip #2 Involve Your Child in the Shopping

While at the store, don’t rush! I know you want to get in and out as quickly as possible to try to prevent a tantrum. The trouble with this thinking is that the added stress of rushing will more often than not trigger a tantrum. If you are looking for how to stop tantrums, keep your child involved in what you are doing. For several items on your list, choose two similar items and let your child pick which one you will buy. Ask him, “should we get Kix or Cheerios for breakfast this week?” The great part is, even if it is something insignificant, like the color of toilet paper, it will give your child a sense that he is able to affect his world. Having this power will keep your child involved and will often keep him from feeling that he has to tantrum to find a way to exert control.

How to Stop Tantrums – Tip #3 Talk to Your Child at the Store

I realize that this is the teacher in me coming out, but the grocery store presents a great opportunity for learning for your toddler or preschooler. As you buy bananas, say, “look at these yellow bananas. Let’s count them as we put them into the bag. There are one, two, three bananas.” Talking to your child like this will not only begin teaching the concepts such as counting, shapes, and colors, in the process you are giving him the attention that he craves. And, if you are looking for how to stop tantrums, this is another great tool to keep your child engaged throughout the shopping trip.

Figuring out how to stop tantrums can be a difficult process for any parent. You need to learn about your child and what strategies will work for you both. While these three tips will not stop all tantrums, they do provide a good starting point. I wish you all the luck as you search for how to stop tantrums with your child.

Fred Crier is an elementary school teacher and the father of two boys. He runs a website reviewing parenting products called isawitontv-reviews.com. His latest review is of a parenting system that will show you step by step how to stop tantrums. You can click here to read his review.

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