| Parenting a toddler can truly restore you because of | | | | During the explanations of airplane safety procedures, |
| the playful nature and share wonder of the child. But at | | | | they always insist that you put your own oxygen |
| the very same time it can be one of the most trying | | | | mask on first, and then put the oxygen mask on your |
| responsibilities that you will ever face. It is not always a | | | | child. This is a striking example, and a perfect |
| pleasant task raising children so with that in mind I have | | | | metaphor for what I am suggesting about parenting a |
| compiled some less-obvious parenting principles | | | | toddler, or any age child for that matter. |
| geared to help you raise a perceptive, secure and | | | | You cannot help your child if you are incapacitated or |
| happy child. Specifically, these suggestions are to help | | | | functioning at a subpar level. Kids learn by watching |
| you find sensible ways to handle your toddlers | | | | and doing. Always keep this in mind. Look within and |
| unhappy moods. Here is what I believe to be some | | | | see if you are feeling uncomfortable. Slow down. Take |
| helpful advice: | | | | some breaths. Even in the most chaotic of times you |
| When your child becomes upset and starts screaming | | | | must always focus on being calm and in control of |
| you must first, and you'll be surprised to read this, be | | | | your emotions. |
| sure that you remain calm before you do anything. Put | | | | Shift your attention inward. Parenting a toddler is not |
| your focus on yourself. At least try it and see what | | | | easy, but you must find some centeredness despite |
| happens. Let me explain. | | | | the chaos. Be willing to try. Put yourself in the child's |
| You obviously want to comfort your child and sooth | | | | shoes and know that they look to you for everything. |
| them in any manner possible. But in order to be the | | | | Your kids will pick up on things that you have no idea |
| most effective at doing this, you must feel better | | | | that they even notice. These are the very things that |
| yourself. You cannot help anyone else if you cannot | | | | make parenting a toddler so incredibly important. |
| help yourself, and parenting a toddler is certainly no | | | | You may think that putting your own emotions first is |
| exception. | | | | somehow selfish but if you truly understand what I've |
| Kids will pick up on your emotions and an instance, | | | | been trying to say you realize that it is anything but. It |
| especially the negative ones. You do not have to | | | | means that you put your child to first and truly love |
| believe in any New Age garbage to be able to "feel | | | | them. You must open your heart first, and this will |
| the mood in the air." The manner in which to move and | | | | subliminally teach your child to do the same. Parenting |
| speak are easily picked up by even the youngest of | | | | a toddler is all about doing what is best for the child |
| children. Kids are anything but dumb, and I'm sure you | | | | and in many cases that means doing what is best for |
| already know that. | | | | you. |