How to Tame a Toddler with a Strong Personality
So, when I used to work at a hotel and resort while I was pregnant, this kind woman came up to me at the desk and asked me if I was having a girl. After shockingly telling her that I was expecting a girl, she told me that my daughter already had a strong personality in the womb! Of course, I couldn’t experience it and know for sure until she was born. Omg, when I tell you that this girl is so strong willed, you will think that that woman was some type of psychic. She could have been someone sent from God to be honest though…who knows. Here are some tips on how to tame a feisty toddler.
Reduce Physical Aggression
Spanking, popping, or whatever term you use, is not always good. When you pop a child too much, they can eventually start hitting you back and becoming even more difficult to handle. Think about if you were constantly popped. It’s only human to get angry and want to snap back.
Operant Learning
Okay, so let’s go back to Psychology class! Hooray! Lol! I loved this as my major. No, your child is not an animal or maybe wait…we all are considered mammals, so technically we are all animals. So…operant learning is useful in training pets but also works for us during the period of learning rights and wrongs to grow up and become mature adults just as animals are tamed with this. Take away things temporarily to correct the challenging behavior but reward them for good behavior as well. This works so much better, trust me.
Reduce Yelling
I know it can be frustrating when a child doesn’t listen. Trust me, I completely understand. Yelling may scare them at times, but it is not as effective as you may think it is. For instance, my child will sometimes just look at me and continue doing what she is doing wrong no matter how loud I yell at her. In a way, this can make them rebel against you.
Give Them Attention
Believe it or not, some kids will try to make you mad just to get attention. At times, some parents may be so consumed into themselves that they do not realize the lack of attention they are giving to their children. The child gets really bothered by this. They need sociability just like we do. Being constantly sent off to their room is damaging to a child.
Don’t Give In Too Much
You simply cannot give in to every request your child makes. This can create a monster as a result. It is okay to spoil every now and then but not every single day. They will be expecting it daily and even have numerous temper tantrums until they get what they want from you. The tantrums themselves are monsters to handle. If this happens, start acting on it immediately before you lose complete control of your child.
Talk To Them About Their Behavior
They are extremely young and may not understand every word you tell them, but realize that they eventually will understand. Drill it into their head that their bad behavior is not acceptable and will get them in a lot of trouble if they do not stop it, and put action behind this to back up your words.
Give Them Ultimatums
It is perfectly fine to tell your child that they cannot have what they want until they stop having a temper tantrum or ask for it nicely. Keep in mind, they are learning their emotions and rights from wrongs. You will be surprised when you see them calm down and change their behavior immediately, especially if you say it to them calmly.
Don’t Destroy It
Some of you may look at this tip and wonder why. Well look at it this way….does this personality of your child have some purpose? I’m not perfect and do not claim to be. I actually had to be told this to look at it this way too. Your child could have useful qualities from that strong personality as he/she gets older. He/she could be destined to be an activist or maybe do acting and really excel at it! Your child’s fate could depend on that personality. So, make them feel special as often as you can. When you go about it this way, your child will start developing more confidence about a lot of things, which can then result in better behavior.
Develop Patience
I really did not realize I lacked patience until I had a child. This is the only way to achieve the other tips I have given. When you do not have this, you can be doomed at having a child who will run completely over you. Fake it until you actually develop it. Patience can definitely be learned.
Be Happy
Eliciting positive emotions can also help your child elicit positive ones in return. Create positivity to produce positivity. The more happiness you put in your child’s life, the less likely they will give off negative emotions.
Come To Realization
A lot of times, people have children unplanned. You may not have been ready for a child, but the time is here. At this time, it is important to realize that you are creating a human being to go out into this tough world on his/her own. You have to change your mind and self for the better in order to create a strong minded individual within your child.
Word Of Advice
It is so important to be grateful to have your child, because they are a blessing. Not all people can have children. Enjoy your child to the fullest. This moment is not forever. It should be truly cherished. Your child has to leave you one day, and he/she will not be under your protection then like he/she is now. When it comes to the strong personality, it may very well likely prevent your child from letting others run over him/her in this cruel world…that is what you want for your child, right?
