How To Take The Stress Out Of Your Toddler's Day
Posted on: 8 July 2015
Many people assume that stress is an adult problem, but the pressure can get to toddlers, too. If you want to make sure your son or daughter isn't feeling stressed out, here are some things to consider:
They watch your every move.
You might not think your kids are paying attention when you've had to ask them ten times to find their shoes, but they really do pick up on the little things. One study showed that 12 to 14 month old babies exhibited elevated heart rates after their moms had to deal with a stressful situation, which illustrates just how contagious stress is.
To ease your kids' worries, try to forget about whatever is bothering you when you're focusing on them. That might sound easier said than done when you have a ton of work to do or problems with your boss, so start by promising yourself 15 minutes in the morning, the afternoon, and the evening to devote all of your energy to your children. You can work up to longer increments of time later.
During those 15 minute periods, your kids will see you smiling and laughing, and they'll feel a lot happier, too.
Kids like routines.
Doing things the same way each morning and each night can really help your household become more efficient. Packing the lunches, getting breakfast ready, changing clothes . . . everything becomes a little easier if there's only one way to get it done.
Sure, it can get a little boring, but you can live a little more spontaneously when your kids are old enough to tie their shoes. For now, sticking to the routine can help your kids run on autopilot and not worry about what's coming next.
Take advantage of the pros.
Sending your kids to daycare can not only free up your time to work, but it can also make your lives a little less stressful. At a high-quality daycare, professional staff members are trained to do what they do best - nurture and care for children. In this type of controlled and child-centered environment, toddlers can feel confident in themselves.
Just like how your kids watch your behavior, they also watch that of their daycare providers, who are paid to focus on providing the best care possible for your child. And just like how toddlers love routines at home, they also thrive when they're employed at a daycare facility like Miss Barbara's Day Care. At almost all daycares, routines are an essential part of the day, so kids don't have to feel any anxiety about what's happening later.
You can try to use some of the techniques they use at daycare in your own home. For instance, having clear behavioral expectations, setting up an organized play area, and eating and sleeping at the same time each day (even on weekends) can make things so much more carefree for your household.
Many parents are often amazed when they're told that their kids are angels at school. At home, it can be a different story. If that's the situation you find yourself in, it might be stress that's creeping into your lives, and following the advice above should help you and your kids out.
Share