The Forum » Under 3

All • Birthing & Babies • Under 3 • 3 to 6 • 7 to 12

    

March 15th, 2012  

Dad: Key Member of the Parenting Team

by Val Mullally

The young dad, standing on the street corner is greeted with loud ʻHow ya doin?ʼ and friendly jostling by a group of his peers, all holding the pose of ʻSingle Manʼ except this man who is toting a toddler in a push chair. The little one seems overwhelmed by the sudden flurry and begins to whimper.
ʻWhatʼs up with ya then?ʼ and Dad lifts him out of the pushchair and onto the ground. The toddler takes takes a few hesitant steps then starts to cry. Dadʼs caught between wanting to chat with his friends and his responsibility for the little one.
ʻAll right then.ʼ He picks him up and puts him back in the pushchair. The child struggles and wails. ʻAll right, ya want your mam!ʼ says Dad. He takes his mobile phone out of his pocket and gives it to the child. The child stops crying and puts the phone to his ear. Heʼs hoping to hear his motherʼs voice but - nothing.
The child roars and flings the phone. ʻLook what ya did! Ya broke my phone!ʼ
The child is now wailing, nothing is stopping his tears. ʻYa wonʼt get the best of me!ʼ exclaims the Dad. Whatʼs needed for Dadʼs to step into effective parenting and meet the toddlerʼs needs?

read more...

no comments.

Tags: challenging behaviour • co-parenting • dad and toddler • divorced parents • fatherhood • frustrated parent • need dads support • new dad • parent contradicts • separated parents

June 11th, 2011  

Toddler Upset: Essential Reasons for Responsive Parenting

by Val Mullally

When you see an upset toddler it’s helpful to remember that her brain and nervous system are still ‘under construction’. She is reliant on a carer to calm and regulate her young body. The young child is not out to make your life difficult, she’s doing the best she can. Her crying is trying to communicate to you that she’s needing some extra support here.

read more...

no comments.

Tags: calming upset toddler • crying toddler • toddler brain • toddler meltdown • toddler tantrums • toddler upset • trying to reason with toddler