Toddling

Oh the joy of toddlers! 

They are so sweet, adorable, fun... and yet totally demanding, testing and challenging little people!

Credit: Kim Bajorek Photography

The Joys of Potty Training!

Tip #1 - Don't push it!  Don't even bother trying until your child is ready.  Even if that means they are 3.5 years old.  They will get it!   And when they are ready, you need to be ready to have a lot of patience.  Woo-weeee can it all be challenging for everyone - kiddos and parents!

Tip #2 - Put potties everywhere!  Yes, I know, the living room sounds like a place you don't want a potty to be, but you won't regret it when your little one announces that she/he needs to use the potty. 

Tip #3 - Give this sticker book a try.  It worked like a charm for us.

Girl Version

Boy Version

Tip #4 - Give them a treat when they do use the potty.  Just a little cookie or one tiny jelly bean can be super motivating.  Eventually they'll get over wanting a treat or a sticker.  I promise.  You will probably read many places not to reward them with treats, but do what works best for you and your family.  And, of course, give them a ton of praise when they do use it and tell them how yucky it is when they have an accident on the floor.  That first time they poop in the potty you'll probably be more excited about poop than you ever would have thought possible!  We ran around the house doing a happy dance the first time she pooped in the potty!  She was so proud of herself, and we were proud of her too.

Tip #5 - Keep bleach in the bathroom (out of reach) to help with washing out the potties.

Tip #6 - When your little love is ready to wear only underwear you must take them to the potty or remind them to use the potty every 30 min to an hour or, more than likely, you will end up with a puddle on the floor.

Tip #7 - These Big Kid flushable wipes are great and don't block the toilet.  Highly recommend as they make wiping much easier than tp.

Food

If your toddler refuses to eat their veggies you might want to continue giving them those pre-made packets that have good veggies in them that are disguised by fruit.  For some, I won't mention any names...this is the only way to get it in their bodies.  They think the packets are fun and you know they're getting what they need.

In light of what I wrote above, continue to put veggies in front of them during meal time.  My oldest loved steamed broccoli and would eat it no problem, but then, one day, she decided she didn't want it any more.  Even if she doesn't eat it I continue to put it in front of her and sometimes she goes for it, other days she doesn't, but at least it's still an option.  Don't give up!

Our pediatrician gave us some great advice... Make meal time about being a social time, not about forcing your kiddo to eat.  Encourage them but, he said, never force it or use it against them.  This could lead to eating disorders later in life.

Give your kiddos organic food as often as you can.  Yes, it's more expensive, but the way I see it you are using preventative measures.  Organic food is a lot less expensive than possible future medical bills due to poor health.  It's up to each parent to make this choice for their family, but just thought I'd mention it.

More than likely your child will go from eating a ton of food to not wanting much food at all and then back again to stuffing their faces endlessly.  Totally normal!


Patience

Patience is my greatest lesson right now.  It is so hard to have patience sometimes...both with my children and myself.  I try to remember to breathe, to count to 4.  I practice yoga, take a few moments to close my eyes and breathe or get on my elliptical to reconnect with myself.  I remember what the pediatrician said, "Be zen".  BUT the reality is that it's so hard to continually beg your child, "Please! Please! Please!" do or don't do something.  It gets so exhausting when they are constantly whining or battling about the silliest things...  When I lose my mind and get short with my 2 year old I always say I'm sorry.  The reality is that I am a person, who has 3 very young children, and life is not always rainbows and moonbeams!  Yes, it is my responsibility to set a good example and to shower all 3 of them with as much love as possible, but sometimes things come up and patience is lost.  I don't yell or spank, but I do change my tone of voice, give a disapproving look or just feel so overwhelmingly exhausted in my being that I rush through things.  The truth is that we are human, and as long as we are able to stop, breathe, change our mindset and apologize then we are teaching our children that they too can do the same thing.  How can I ever expect her to say sorry to her sisters, when she does something inappropriate, if I myself don't say I'm sorry when I get frustrated.  We all say and do dumb things, the most important part, afterwards, is to do our part to make things better.  This constant lesson in patience is so important for us and everything that comes up in life.