When Your 2-Year-Old is Struggling for Control with Namasha S.

Namasha isn't thrilled with the way she's handling her 2.5-year-old daughter's small acts of defiance. Timeouts don't work, and while negotiating sometimes does, it's not what Namasha wants to continue to do. If you're finding yourself telling your child that if they eat three more bites of broccoli,  they'll get a sweet treat, then this episode is for you. Today, Namasha and I talk about what's behind her daughter's sudden rebellion. I point out that her daughter has just discovered that she has control in a few areas of her life--namely: food, potty training, and naps--and that it's an exciting discovery. I note that when you let your child feel like she has control in some areas, she'll stop trying so hard to gain it in other places. We talk about how Namasha can replace negotiations with consistent, non-judgmental consequences to actions, whether positive or negative. I share tips for keeping your patience when your young child is struggling to communicate, and I point out the power of hugs. "If you can find things where it positions it as if she really does have the control, then I think a lot of those little things will go away. Because she needs control." - Sue Groner This week on The Parenting Mentor: What's behind a 2-year-old's rebellion Tips for communicating and clarifying rules Reframing and redefining negotiations The three control areas of small children Meet the Parenting Mentor If you want to reduce the everyday stress and anxiety that inevitably come with parenting and learn to be a happier and more relaxed parent, then this is the place for you. Here, you can listen in on real sessions with parents who open up about the specific challenges they face with children from 2 to 22. Listen along and gain perspectives and strategies to help you parent with sanity and joy. Visit theparentingmentor.com for notes on this show, more episodes, and all the ways to subscribe, and don't forget to pick up my book, Parenting with Sanity and Joy: 101 Simple Strategies, which includes my Nine Golden Rules of Parenting. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts! Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts