Comments on: Tips to a Better Toddler: Expect It.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:47:34 +0000

Summary: teach your children how to behave or they won’t know.

By: Jes

Jes — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:16:59 +0000

I love the looks you get in public when you are trying to be consistent. Yesterday we had to make a quick trip to Target and let me tell you.. it was stressful. Lexi screamed for the majority of it, she didn’t want to be in the cart, but that is how we do things. If we don’t she runs off where we can’t see her and touches everything. When we’re in a hurry she goes in the cart. Anyway, we were returning something and she was throwing a fit, so the lady at the customer service desk tried to bribe her to be happy by giving her a sticker. it worked, BUT she wouldn’t tell her thank you. and in my house if you don’t say thank you, you don’t get a reward. So I took the sticker away. which resulted in more screaming. and dirty looks from the cashier who was just trying to make her be quiet.

I was very polite and sweet talking with Lexi while I told her “if you say thank you to the nice lady, you can have the sticker, but if you are rude and don’t say thanks, then you don’t get a special treat for it.” she refused so the sticker went away and we walked away while she screamed, and I felt the lasers from the ladies eyes drilling a hole in the back of my head… what a horrible mom I am.

She eventually decided she wanted to say thank you, but since that lady was long gone I had her tell me. and she got her sticker. and stopped screaming for about 5 minutes until there was something new to scream about.

but at least I was consistent and expected good behavior right? ha.

By: Stephanie - Green SAHM

Stephanie - Green SAHM — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:32:06 +0000

Consistency has always worked well for us too. My kids can be pretty feisty, but we got through toddlerhood on the older two quite well. Heading toward that with #3 and I already suspect that she will have a pretty solid stubborn streak as well as an adventurous side. Going to be fun!

By: Kacie

Kacie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:38:11 +0000

I’m going to file this away for later (but soon!). My little dude is getting so big.

By: GMOM00

GMOM00 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:56:35 +0000

Now how did I do that? Two posts, I mean.

By: GMOM00

GMOM00 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:55:55 +0000

You are doing a great job, Beth! Does it make you wonder how Mrs. Duggar has managed with 18 kids? Three were enough for me…Love you!

By: GMOM00

GMOM00 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:55:14 +0000

You are doing a great job, Beth! Does it make you wonder how Mrs. Duggar as managed with 18 kids? Three were enough for me…Love you!

By: Becky Miller

Becky Miller — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:32:58 +0000

Joshua is almost one, and I’m going to be getting to this stage soon, I can see it coming. Great advice: “It teaches him I expect good behavior from his sister, but not from him.”

By: Holly

Holly — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:10:15 +0000

Boy am I going through this right now with a 3 year old & 2 yr old twins. You are so right about this! Consistency is the key. Persevere now, and you’ll reap the rewards later with well behaved children.

I totally agree that the hardest part is in public. Being 100% consistent at home helps alot with that though because they know that mama always means business. Not that i am always 100% consistent…is that possible?:)

Great post!

Holly