Toddler behaviour management

[Hallesmellie]

I’m struggling with 2yo DD in the mornings. The moment I tell her it’s time to get dressed she says she doesn’t want to. I try being firm and gentle with her and coaxing her into nappy change, putting on clothes etc but as time ticks on I have to be out the door so I end up wrestling the clothes onto her and tying her hair up as best I can. Couldn’t get her teeth brushed this morning as she was so hysterical and she threw her shoes accross the floor.

Any tips? Reasoning or bargaining with her just doesn’t seem to work yet (even though she can understand- she’s 3 in June).

Of course by the time she arrived at her nursery she was all sweetness and light. They say she’s always perfectly behaved- and she seems to be like that for anyone but me and DH!

Probably won't work forever but could you turn it into a game?

Is it just nursery mornings? How about weekends?

God I do sympathise. It can take up to an hour to get me and DS ready in the morning. I dont have any advice, but I have this morning ordered a routine reward chart from Etsy. I’ll let you know how it goes!!

We always had breakfast first - hungry kids are grumpy kids in my experience.

Starting 15 minutes earlier and giving 3 chances, then wrestling her clothes on worked for me. I sat her on me, on the stairs, to put her shoes on, sometimes with her on her back at the foot of the stairs, for shoes.

Toothbrushing is more problematic, obviously, as you can't be firm with that, so I'd give up and carry her out.

Breakfast first. Then one chance to do it nicely before they’re physically wrestled. Teeth brushing should be non negotiable, try swaddling in a towel if she’s a thrasher.

A towel, like a cat with a tablet, I never thought of that!

My DS is the same. Must rebel against everything! Getting his teeth brushed is nigh on impossible. He moves the whole time, while getting dressed. We choose clothes, but getting them on…

It sounds pretty normal. What @InTheRainOnATrain is excellent advice. Remember you are in charge. And although she understands what you want 1. she is very little 2. She had ver low impulse control and 3. very little logic.
She’s not trying to defy you. She is just being 2. Singing, making it a game or a race can help. But not always and for no discernible reason.

🤣 I got the idea from the vet! Works great for toddlers and felines alike.

Breakfast first, stick the telly on and turn it into a game - oooohh bet you can’t put your socks on in 10 seconds! Etc etc

I usually chased Dd round the house pretending to be a trouser monster and tickled her whilst wrestling trousers on. It takes away all the anger and stress from it if you make it fun. No point battling a 2 yo they always win!

InTheRainOnATrain · Yesterday 12:41

Mine's 10 now an cleans her teeth, it's just that it takes 15 minutes! No phone allowed in the bathroom, no tap / brushing sounds. ...

I have to threaten to get some tools out of the garage to take the door off.

She hasn't twigged that it'd have to be a hammer and that I won't actually smash the door in!

Noooo this is my 6.5YO right now. I was really hoping she’d grow out of it sooner rather than later but from your post I’m no longer hopeful 🤣 And I’m still on the swaddle method with the 2YO so I have years and years of this. Sigh.

Could try giving her a choice of two outfits (you would be happy with either one!) Makes her feel like she has a bit of control. But the getting dressed task is presented as a done deal eg so which outfit would you like to wear?

The brushing of teeth could be made into a race against you brushing your teeth or an egg timer. Sticker charts go down well at that age but it helps to break the morning routine down into stickers for small tasks rather one sticker as you go out the door. Apologies if you've already tried these suggestions and hope that helps and makes sense!