Toddlers exist in a world all their own. They are just learning about themselves and the power of their bodies and words. Toddlers are also learning that they have a will of their own and want things all their own way. This clash can make the household a battleground.

Toddlers are curious critters. As they move from babyhood to true toddler status, they discover the world from a whole different perspective. They’re on the move, able to walk on their own, and investigate every little thing in the house. Everything in this world is brand new to them. And of course, so many of these new things are dangerous. Most parents believe they can either yell or spank to control their toddler. Parents yell “no” to the point where the word means absolutely nothing to a child. The endless cycle of “no” and damaged household items continues on and on.

It is up to parents to set behavioral limits for children. They certainly are not equipped to do it themselves. Quite frankly, it’s rather unfair for any parent to expect model behavior from a child who’s only been on this earth for a year. We must teach them limits, establish boundaries of behavior, and help our toddlers learn to be themselves. The only way to combat bad behavior is to teach your child what you expect from him on a daily basis.

Make Your House Toddler Proof

Parents must make a safe environment for their children. Simply stated, this means you need to put everything dangerous away. Cover outlets, close doors, install cabinets locks (including powder rooms and bathrooms), put medicines and household cleaners in a safe place, put pens and markers away. Children cannot be expected to know about dangerous and destructive items. It’s fairly safe to predict that your house will need to be locked up tight until your child reaches age 7. Get used to it; it is your job as a parent to make their home safe. By child proofing the house, parents are removing a main ingredient causing misbehavior in children

Children need a place to play. This place needs to be free of breakable things. Your pretty, cut-crystal vase will mesmerize a child. And of course, they are absolutely certain that they can carry it across the room. Save your sanity and put it away. Give your toddler a place where they can roam free. If necessary, use gates to block off rooms that contain your special mementos.

Discipline Options for Toddlers

One Finger. Yes, that’s right. One finger. Kids are curious and want to touch everything. Let them do it under close supervision but ask them to use one finger. This little act let’s a toddler investigate anything without damaging it. This works like a total charm. “One finger” lets them feel the texture of something new and also emboldens them to continue investigating their world. Plus, “one finger” completely takes ‘No” out of the equation and allows you to use the word as it should be used, sparingly.

Time Out. There are going to be times when parents needs to discipline their little ones. Most toddlers won’t be able to sit still for a very long period of time but using time out on occasion will slowly teach them who is boss in the house. Make their timeout spot exactly the same every time and stay with the child the entire time. Try the bottom step or set a child’s-size chair facing the wall since obviously, time out isn’t supposed to be fun. Don’t expect your toddler to last through 30 minutes of punishment. Time out for a toddler really can’t extend longer than a minute. Quite frankly, they’ll just wiggle and squirm, get bored, and get up to move on to something else. After their 30 seconds in time out, make absolutely sure that you completely spell out why they were punished. Consistency is the key to making time out work.

Distraction. Toddlers are thankfully blessed with extremely short attention spans. So it’s very easy for parents to just grab whatever the child has that is inappropriate, and switch it out for something safer. There is no point in expending energy on trying to reason with a toddler. However, they will forget whatever they originally intended to do if you provide them choices for safer activities or better yet, something much more fun involving their favorite people, Mom and Dad.

Remove the Child from the Scene. Toddlers are just discovering their emotions and frankly, they haven’t got the slightest bit of control of them. They’ve got great big egos and tender feelings that need to be protected. If your child acts up at the grocery, tell him calmly to stop or you will leave the store. Follow through. It’s important that children learn cause and effect. It’s how we shape their behavior. It’s also important that toddlers understand who has the authority in the family.

Temper Tantrums

It’s very simple. Ignore them. Completely. Do it every time and the tantrums will cease. All kids do things to get a reaction from their parents. Toddlers are no different. In their world, their own emotions are paramount and they need to express them. However, the hollering, kicking and punching gets old really fast. Parents must teach their kids other options for expressing themselves. Toddlers are dealing with an influx of emotions that they have never used before. Parents must not react to the tantrum or it will be repeated again and again for the high drama that it is. Be patient. The tantrums can sometimes last quite a while. Your consistency in ignoring the tantrum will pay off quickly. As the tantrums lessen, praise your child every step of the way. Most likely, they will be a thing of the past after just a few weeks of chaos.

Manners

Pointing and grunting their demands is typical behavior for a toddler. Immediacy is everything to them. While they are not able to voice their wants and needs, it’s important for parents to begin very early with “please” and “thank you.” Manners teach children behavioral boundaries. Toddlers love to please people especially their parents. Teaching your toddler to understand that asking nicely for whatever they want is a key ingredient to a well-behaved child.

And finally, Mommy and Daddy Behavior

Consistency is an absolute must with a toddler. Mom and Dad must be consistent in their own behavior too. If your child is resistant to discipline, try putting yourself in time out. Sometimes just a little “something different” will jog your toddler’s mind into understanding what is acceptable behavior. And you’ll get a much needed break too.

It’s up to parents to shape their child’s behavior. By providing appropriate limits for your toddler, you are allowing a safe and structured environment for your child to grow and learn. Establishing boundaries and a clear-cut set of rules for your toddler will allow them to develop and grown in a safe environment. And it will allow you witness the wonderful blossoming of their very individual personality.