Toddlers’ behavior is so unpredictable because attaining the capacity to control one’s emotions and actions depends on a mix of the child’s brain development and her body’s state at any given moment.
In other words, its complex! So, the next time you’re at wit’s end over something your toddler did, remember that your child’s abilities are still emerging. Being inconsistent is to be expected.One day your son might handle a disappointment or limit calmly, but the next day (or hour) the very same challenge will trigger a tantrum. It’s all part of the way we develop as human beings.
So, what can you do as a parent when your toddler acts unpredictably and you’re not sure how to react?
- Ask yourself if the child’s ability to control his behavior is fully developed yet. If your child is younger than 4 years old, this ability will be inconsistent, so it’s important to meet the behavior with compassion and loving limits.
- The best way to help an out-of-control toddler is for us to stay calm. This process of assisting a child in calming down by sharing our own calmness is known as emotional co-regulation.
- In order to give toddlers what they need, we need to take care of ourselves. That way, we’re more likely to have the energy and presence to support our children successfully.
Remember, children feel growing pains only in more than just their bones and muscles. These discomforts also emerge from the way small human beings reconcile living in an unpredictable world. By understanding that toddlers naturally have uneven coping abilities, we can narrow the expectation gap, and reduce our children’s stress – and our own. In the process, we’ll strengthen our precious, lifelong relationships with our children.
Originally published HERE.
