Generation NeXt Parenting

Guest Bloger...Judy Fedele

Simple Things for Simple Minds

I think I used up my entire stock of mommy tricks this week. Little Delia is entering the ‘terrible two’ phase in full force. Her tantrum voice sounds like a pterodactyl with a bullhorn. It’s loud, screechy, and the precise decibel to pierce through delicate adult brain tissue. Children this age are impervious to the ‘no’ word: either they don’t understand it, or if they do, they’re deliberately deaf to its meaning and application. There is no explaining anything to a toddler hell-bent on her own will and way. What does work is to use distraction and redirection - then pray that they don’t notice you’ve pulled the old switcheroo.

The toddler years are filled with contradictions. This time is one of the most hectic and demanding, yet filled with the sweetest moments of mommy bliss unparalleled in any other time in parenting.

This age group is so tough to parent because they are a contradiction in themselves. They are coming into the “I do it!” stage where their need to express their independence outstrips their ability to make it happen. So while they frustrate easily, they are not easily soothed. But there are some great tricks to cope with these troublesome toddlers. Every parent has a handful up his or her sleeve. In my own experience as a mom, I’ve found that nothing soothes the savage beast quicker, or deflates an escalating temper tantrum, than the 3 B’s: balloons, band-aids, and bubbles.

Delia had the end of all meltdowns last week. Nothing worked to calm her down, not even a cookie – which works like a charm (or bribe) 99.9% of the time. After an hour of inconsolable howling, I carried her upstairs and put her in the tub with a capful of bubble bath. Badda-bing, badda boom, bubbles to the rescue! Instant bliss. Other times it’s a strategically placed band-aid, or a colorful balloon to lift the spirits of a spirited little lady.


The tricks we use to soothe our tiny tots should be something that they can relate to – something on their own level. Simple things for simple minds. Whatever keeps the peace in your own home – go for it. I know I’ll keep on doing what works for us. And though I may sometimes run out of patience, and often out of steam, heaven forbid that we run out of the 3 B’s! Which reminds me, I need to head out to the store to stock up on a few necessities. Especially Advil. Gotta protect my sensitive brain-tissue from the Shrieky-Shrieky Bird that lives here. Good luck to you and yours.

Judy Fedele
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/believerschapelmops

posted by Tricia Goyer @ 7:38 AM