So, your sweet little one is turning two!
You have been through the ringer with feeding and crawling and learning to walk…and CONGRATS! You have a sweet two year old. Everyone says, “terrible two’s,” and many parents can dread this stage, but I think it is an amazing time of growth, excitement, sweetness, and fun!
So, what do you need to know about your two year old to make this stage easier?
- Your child thinks you are the sun and the moon. And if you have a great caregiver, your child thinks that person is the sun and the moon, too! And you cannot have too many people lovin’ on your two year old! Your child may openly prefer you, and that is normal. Don’t force your child to hug and say hi to people he or she doesn’t know. If you are friendly, that will rub off on your child! Give it time.
- Your child wants to do everything you are doing! Usually, the two year old will begin to say, “I DO IT!” “I HELP!” This is wonderful and wonderfully frustrating time for a parent. It is exciting and cute to watch your little one learn and try new things, but it also chews up time and patience. HUGE will power, SMALL skill level. There aren’t any parenting techniques for this. Really. Just use some common sense to handle this stage. Don’t start projects with two year old when you are pressed for time. Yes, he will scream when you move him along. Yes, she will throw herself on the ground. Keep moving, stay supportive, positive, and quiet. And when there is time, sweep the floor, tear the lettuce, make the cookies.
- And while we are on the topic, the number one technique that works with a three year old is DISTRACT, DISTRACT, DISTRACT! Notice something colorful. Look at the birds. Point out the changing leaves. Sing a favorite song. Jump like a frog. The attention span of a two year is old is so very short, so this will be tiring for you. Don’t worry too much, it will pass. Promise.
- Because this is a physically and emotionally draining time, get support. Mother’s Helpers, mother’s groups, church groups, gyms with childcare, babysitters, family, and friends. Do whatever it takes to get you the help you deserve and need. We were never meant to do this work alone, so don’t.
- My most important parenting tool…the number one thing you need to do is: KEEP A SENSE OF HUMOR. You will need to laugh (watch this to keep perspective) to keep yourself sane, you will need to laugh to stop from crying or screaming, and you will need to laugh to keep your relationship with your partner strong. The sense of humor will help you through this wonderful phase and bring you right into the three’s!
For more support, contact me at positivelyparenting.com, Twitter, and Facebook!