Getting little ones to listen can drive parents to their wits' end! However, there are productive, practical, and pleasant ways of persuading kids to play along without bribing or bullying them.

Dealing with fussy eating habits is one of the more challenging aspects of raising a toddler. It can be frustrating or sometimes stressful when your toddler refuses to eat the nourishing meal that you have lovingly spent time preparing. 

Toddlers have a short attention span and buzz quickly from one activity to the next. They tend to use the potty much the same, so they sometimes don't sit there as long as they should.

Does thinking of introducing your toddler to their new sibling stress you out? If so, the solution may be much simpler than you surmised.

Unrealistic expectations start early. Would you believe that most moms magnify what their toddlers can manage?

Would it surprise you to learn that pooping problems often prevail during the potty training process? 

Toddlers love routines and rituals, so changing them could upset your child and cause problems.

Did you know that setting limits for your little ones will let them know they are looked after and loved?

Most parents find it easy to love their kids and ensure they are happy and self-confident. Yet many struggle with setting and holding boundaries. 

In this episode, I explain how to create an environment that reflects your child’s interest and how to encourage them to play there. I also dive into how long you can realistically expect your child to remain content playing on their own and habits to avoid that might discourage independent play.  

Did you know toddlers do not typically try to hurt the person they hit? 

Your toddler is not a bad kid if they smack someone. Nor does it mean you are no good as a parent or indicate that there may be problems down the road. They are simply acting their age.

Did you know toddlers do not typically try to hurt the person they hit? 

Your toddler is not a bad kid if they smack someone. Nor does it mean you are no good as a parent or indicate that there may be problems down the road. They are simply acting their age.

Spitting is a pretty common toddler problem. It may seem gross to us as parents, but toddlers find it funny and love to watch their parents freaking out! That does not make them bad kids. They just enjoy feeling powerful. 

Some kids are just naturally more intense, passionate, and emotional than others. Two-year-olds have limited self-control. So even though toddlers with big, exuberant personalities are delightful, their extreme enthusiasm can sometimes cause problems.

Is your toddler’s desire to delay dozing off driving you to distraction?

Bedtime fears usually start at around two years and may last several years. They happen very commonly because children spend their days in imaginative play, and it is tough for them to turn that off at bedtime. 

Did you know that you can reduce troublesome tantrums by tapping into what’s causing them? 

Toddlers’ tantrums can be wild, irrational, and confusing. So it helps to understand that tantrums are a normal part of a toddler’s development because their brains are still developing.

Did you know that treating siblings as equals fuels friction and fighting?  

Sibling relationships are complex. Observational studies have shown that some siblings fight as often as eight times an hour!

Do you dread the despair of difficult daily drop-offs?

The woeful look on a toddler’s face when parting makes it hard for parents to walk away without feeling heartbroken and guilty. 

Did you know that toddlers cannot comprehend the concept of sharing?

Snatching toys and shouting “mine” is not a sign of selfishness in toddlers. It only happens because they have no idea what sharing is.

Are your toddler’s picky eating patterns perturbing you? 

Fussy eating habits and mealtime conflicts can be very frustrating! Food battles can cause a great deal of stress and may even lead us to encourage habitual behavior we later regret.

Are time-outs truly the best way to tackle your toddlers’ tantrums?

Time-outs have been the go-to method for dealing with children’s undesirable behavior since the 1950s. 

From the age of two, most parents start considering what works and what does not. Many parents tend to worry about being too hard or too soft on their children, getting them to listen, or even messing them up. 

Has your toddler been telling tall tales? 

If so, don’t panic! All kids stretch the truth at times, and lying is a perfectly normal part of a toddler’s development.

Even though it can be perplexing to hear your toddler tell unlikely stories, it is neither a reflection of bad character nor a sign of moral weakness! Lying is a complex skill. So, when two-year-olds do it, it is considered a sign of advanced cognitive capabilities and shows that they have an active imagination.

Toddlers suck their thumb when bored, falling asleep, upset, and watching tv. It creates a yummy feeling, like a day at the spa. Over time, kids develop other calming skills and typically give the habit up. 

No one wants their kids flinging toys/objects across the room. I’m not talking about a friendly game of catch. I’m talking about when the remote control goes flying because you said, “No, sweetheart, you can’t have cake for breakfast.” In this episode, Dr. Cathryn helps us understand why kids throw things and how to end this habit in ways that protect a child’s dignity, curiosity, and self-esteem. 

Kids whine for many reasons, but driving you crazy isn’t actually one of them. Toddlers lack sophistication… and moaning and groaning is their way of saying, “I need you. Please take care of me.” Instead of viewing whining as a toddler trying to manipulate you, remember that whining is a toddler's attempt at trying to be seen and heard. They just lack the tools to do this.