I'm sure this thread has been written a hundred times over but I'm struggling to keep control with a 3 1/2 yo DS and a 1 1/2 yo DD. I thought it might help (me) to write out some rules to keep in mind so this is a bit of a 'note to self', however, I wondered whether anyone has anything useful to add:
Toddlers: The Rules
- Focus: days with the kids are not days off. You can get some housework/chores done but give most of the day/your time to them.
- Don?t say ?no? immediately. Think about it. Let them see you?re thinking about it and make an informed decision. Hopefully this will reduce the number of times you will have to go back on your word when you?ve instinctively said ?no? and are then pestered into wondering ?where?s the harm? (in whatever it is you originally said ?no? to).
- Food
They must at least try everything before they are allowed to reject it
They are allowed to choose what they eat from their plate
Don?t offer an alternative
Expect them to stay at the table until others have finished
Don?t offer pudding if they have left most of the main course
- TV to be restricted to 1 hour a day - THEY ARE SO MUCH HAPPIER WITHOUT IT. REMEMBER THIS!