Parenting can be an emotional rollercoaster, especially during the toddler years when your little one is discovering their independence and testing boundaries. Staying calm in the face of tantrums, messes, and endless energy might feel impossible at times, but we have you covered!
10 Ways to Stay Calm During the Troublesome Threes
The following guide provides practical tips on how to maintain a semblance of peace while navigating this challenging phase. These 10 tips should get you through the troublesome threes.
1. Breathe and Relax
When you feel overwhelmed, take deep breaths and count to ten. This simple technique allows your body to relax, helping you better handle your child’s more difficult moments. Also, practice mindfulness or meditation regularly, as it can help keep stress levels in check.
2. Set Realistic Expectations
Understand that toddlers aren’t perfect and should not be expected to act like grown-ups. You need to accept their limitations and adjust your expectations by acknowledging developmental stages. Remember that they won’t stay this small forever, so enjoy it while it lasts.
3. Establish Routines
Creating consistent daily routines can give you some semblance of control over challenging toddler behavior. Try to maintain regular meal times, sleep schedules, and play sessions, as predictability can make toddlers more manageable. Don’t forget to schedule some free time!
4. Practice Self-Care
Eating healthy, exercising, and taking care of yourself in other ways will greatly impact how equipped you are to handle trying situations with an unruly tot. And if you need an additional way to calm your nerves, check out Hometown Hero’s edible selection if you’re in a legal state.
5. Use Humor
A good laugh can work wonders when dealing with a challenging toddler situation. Find creative ways to introduce humor during difficult moments, like by making funny faces or singing silly songs. Get your toddler in on your goof sessions by encouraging them to tell jokes.
6. Time-Out for Parents
Remember that it’s okay for moms to take breaks! We call them parental time-outs, but instead of being punished, you can spend time working on your own needs. If possible, hire a babysitter or get a family member to help you watch the kids while you step out for a moment of solitude.
7. Be More Empathetic
Try seeing things from your toddler’s perspective because understanding their struggles can help maintain your patience during tough times. Their world used to be very small, and they’re noticing how much bigger it can be. That can be scary and stressful for any child to experience.
8. Seek Support
Parenting during these years is tough. Consider joining local parenting groups or lean on friends with similar experiences for advice and reassurance. It can also help to make friends with other parents who’ve been through the toddler years, as they can be a source of information.
9. Use Distractions Techniques
Toddlers have short attention spans. If you quickly change their focus to something fun, you could divert a tantrum before they start. While you shouldn’t give in to their demands every single time, it’s okay to give them their favorite toy when you need a second to relax.
10. Celebrate the Wins
Focus on positive moments with your child. Make a point to celebrate their milestones and good behavior rather than dwelling on tough times. And when things get bad, remember why you love them. This will help keep your spirits high during the waves of toddlerhood.
In Conclusion…
Maintaining your calm during the toddler years is a monumental challenge, but with the right mindset and some strategies, you can successfully navigate this intense period. Remember that no parent is perfect, and it’s essential to have patience both with yourself and your little one.