Toddler or Tornado? 10 Tips To Surviving Toddlers

Do you have a toddler? Do you often ask yourself “how am I ever going to survive this?” I know that I have wondered this myself. I am hear to tell you that that no parent is perfect, no toddler is perfect and we are all in this together.

Pick Your Battles – This is the biggest and most valuable tip I can give you! Believe me there will be a TON of battles…some will be worth the fight and some well let’s face it, just give in and move on. I am a pretty stubborn mom myself. I want to show my kids who’s boss and how to properly behave. I never wanted to be that mom that had a screaming toddler in the grocery store or who was known for the “tantrum toddler”. When it comes to which cart your child rides in when you get to the grocery store – let them win that one…so when they decide the MUST have that super sugary cereal you refuse to buy you can say NO and not already be frustrated and overwhelmed by a previous unnecessary battle.

Tantrums will happen, Deal With It – Unfortunately no matter how amazing of a parent you are, tantrums are bound to happen. Some parents will have to deal with more than others…not because of their parenting style per say but because of their child’s God given personality. Just know that no one is judging you if you have to pick up your screaming child and leave your grocery cart in the aisle to take your child to the car until they calm down. Or if you have to cut a playdate short because they refuse to share, listen or behave.

Stick To Your Word, Or Else – I have advice you that the worse thing you can do with your toddler when it comes to training them up to be obedient kids, is to go back on your word. If you tell your toddler that the next time they scream you will pack them up and go home…you better be prepared to leave. Or if you say that they won’t get the dessert after dinner when everyone else will if they don’t finish their meal….you better bet there will be tears when others are eating in front of them. But if you give in and give them even just a bite of that dessert, you have only taught them that next time they don’t have to eat their dinner – you will still let them have that treat anyways.

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk – Through the course of raising 4 kids (so far) and assisting in raising many more I can tell you that the saying “don’t cry over spilled milk” has been one of my most favorite and most helpful sayings. Not because I am going to cry over the spilled milk or because my kids cry over the spilled milk…but because it’s just spilled milk (water, juice, soup, yogurt…). Why get frustrated over something so simple to clean up and deal with. Believe me there will be bigger and way more frustrating messes to come.

Plan Your Time Wisely – This can be very difficult. Toddlers move SLOW. They always find something to distract them from doing what they are supposed to be doing. They always find a way to lose their socks, shoes, jacket, favorite toy or whatever else on the way out of the door. So this is how I deal with this…I always plan almost double the amount of time needed for me to get out the door when I am working on getting my toddler out the door with me. If I have to leave for church by 9:45 am – first I tell myself I really need to leave by 9:30 am. Secondly, if I usually only take 1 hour to get myself ready to leave…I plan 2 hours to get ready with my toddler.

Don’t Take It Personal – Toddlers have an amazing ability to be just like teenagers. They know exactly what to say and how to act to make you feel like your a horrible parent. They may scream mean words during a tantrum or do something incredibly embarrassing right in the middle of a large gathering. No matter what they say or do, remember not to take it personal. They do not mean it…not even a tiny bit!

Hide Your Stuff – Oh Lord! Let me tell you I learned this one the hard way. No matter how high you have your stuff…toddlers have the uncanny ability to find it, climb to it and snatch it up! So make sure to hide your stuff behind lock and key (toddler safety locks work too). If you have something your toddler will be interested in don’t let them see where you “hide” it or put it up. They WILL find a way to get it. After 4 kids I have finally learned the value of toddler door knob locks. Remember if you leave your purse out at their level…it’s YOUR fault. They are going to get into it…because that is what they are designed to do…explore, learn and make messes.

Expect The Unexpected –  Toddlers are great at surprising you. They can hide in the most unpredictable of places, they can say the most inappropriate things, they literally are the masters of the unexpected! Be prepared for the unexpected. Take it with a grain of salt…and if their is a possibility you can laugh back on it in the future take a picture, video or record it. Believe me I have TOTALLY done this…when my 3rd child was about 1 years old I heard her calling for me in her crib. I walked in her room expecting to cuddle my sweet little girl after her nap…instead I find her covered head to toe in POOP! The wall is covered in a pretty little art piece and OMG it was nasty! I remembered I mom telling me once to take a picture when something like this happens…so I did! I now have a picture that makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Messes Will Happen – Accept It – We are a very neat family, so when it comes to messes we have had to learn to let it go. Ok I am not seeing to the tone of Frozen YET but I swear that have been moments I have walked into my kids play room and I needed to belt out in song “Let It Go – Let It Go” followed up by the tune of “Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody do their share, Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody everywhere”. But honestly, toddlers are by nature explorers, so they make messes. I have had to face the fact that pouring out a bin of toys to find that one special one is going to happen…as long as when we start singing the clean up song he is willing to help I am good. (PS. singing or putting clean up music on – is the best tool in the world to getting kids to clean up on task).

Your Not Alone – Finally remember you are not alone. All parents have had to deal with the toddler woes. The tantrums, messes, fears, screaming, poopy messes and so on. We can all relate…and no matter what you think no body is judging you. (And if they are judging you, who cares! It’s not their place!)

Please feel free to share your thought, ideas and especially your toddler stories! We all love hearing a good toddler story!