Comments on: Setting Limits for Toddlers

By: BARIZA SCIENCE

BARIZA SCIENCE — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 08:39:36 +0000

This is the make of advise I recoup helpful.

By: Leigh Ann

Leigh Ann — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 16:34:39 +0000

It helps me to realize that opportunities for frustration are GOOD because they now have the chance to figure it out and work through it (with your support) rather than be overcome by it. Think about how many adults don’t have that skill. Allow everything to stay smoothly wonderful all the time, and when they inevitably reach a time when it isn’t, they don’t know how to deal with those moments. They haven’t developed grit and resiliency. I’d much rather let them have frustrating moments while they’re younger and under my umbrella than I would to send them out in the world not knowing how to cope with hard feelings and moments.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 16:32:13 +0000

I cannot begin to tell you how much this resonates with me. It’s good advice for all ages, I think. My husband and I were childless, by choice, when we realized two years ago that my 5 yo niece was going to need a good permanent home. Her parents were no longer able to care for her and she had been living with my dad and his wife. Well, as good as they were with her, my dad was turning 70 that year and the reality was… they weren’t the best long term solution for her. So we decided to be her permanent parents. She moved in with us last July. We’ve been through quite the learning journey and exactly what you wrote here is completely relevant to my experience becoming a mom. I understand why she gets upset. I completely get it. I want her to have all the experiences and how to I limit that?! How do I teach her limits and boundaries when I want her to have it all! I also am an empathetic person and it is so so hard to help her through her emotions AND hold her to the boundaries.

Thank you for putting into words exactly what I’ve been struggling with.

By: Laura Novak

Laura Novak — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 08:29:35 +0000

I learned a technique that has been helpful for everything.

You say, “James, WHEN your toys are picked up, THEN, we will go outside.” Key is to use “when” and “then”. Works like a charm.

By: Carly

Carly — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 15:46:02 +0000

We have had the dreaded car seat battles! A month ago my husband was traveling, I was taking our 18 month old to daycare and she would not get in the seat. Even when I tried to get her down myself. She was screaming and crying, I was crying, it took me an hour but we got there! Its so hard to remain calm when they are melting down. I’ve found giving her a distraction even before I open the car door helps…

By: Denise Blust

Denise Blust — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 15:39:53 +0000

You’re thoughtful and empathetic – you’re doing a great job! It can be frustrating in the middle of a problem, but like the car seat issue, you figured it out. I have two suggestions. I love the pots and pans cabinet and had it for my two. However, make sure they help you pick them up too. No wreaking havoc on the downstairs without the responsibility of picking up! My second suggestion is when he’s a little older and able to speak and understand. Institute “House Rules”. I had a very testy little three year old girl who didn’t want me telling her what to do. I read somewhere about house rules, where you just shrug and say “that’s the house rules” like you have no control over it. It takes the responsibility and pressure off of you and puts them on the house. Who makes these rules? I don’t know either! We just have to follow them. Amazing how well that worked with my little terror (we called her the Rachinator!).

By: Melinda

Melinda — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 14:31:30 +0000

When I had my first child I read somewhere that you should not constantly use the word ‘No’, I can’t for the life of me remember why. Something to do with the word losing meaning, I don’t know lol. I spent a couple months using alternatives then realized it was a little nutty. Anyway, I read a book called ‘Kids Are Worth It’ by Barbara Coloroso This completely changed my view on my parenting. She talks about different types of parenting and boundaries I highly recommend this read!

By: Stefanie

Stefanie — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 14:06:57 +0000

It’s so hard! I’m also very sensitive to my 2 year old’s emotions like you, especially at bedtime. I have such scars from sleep training (even though he took to it real fast and objectively it wasn’t that bad) that I still have anxiety when he cries after going in his crib. But it’s always better if we’re firm. With other day-to-day situations, sometimes I’m just tired and don’t want to fight so I give in. Trying to be better about it though. You are doing a great job!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 12:59:15 +0000

It’s Just about finding balance. You’ll get there.

Someone once said to me you need to set some boundaries or rules for your child or someone else would do it for me down the line. It made me think. If you think of it not as setting him boundaries and more as guiding him to be safe and the best he can be, you might find it easier . Xx

P.S. I hope you’ll write another cookbook, love your first.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 03:51:25 +0000

We are basically living the same life from the sounds of it haha! I have no advice but loved your perspective and hope you write more because I am missing the baby stage as we navigate this new terrain!