time … energy … wrinkles … and gray hairs.
Toddler-ese May Seem Hard … but You’re
Already an Expert!
I know Toddler-ese can feel odd at first. But would you believe that
you
already use Toddler-ese all the time? Almost all parents
automatically use “Toddler-ese” when their child is … happy!
Imagine you’re in the park and your three-year-old bravely climbs
to the top of the slide … for the very first time. Beaming a huge
grin,
she shouts, “Look, Mommy!
Look! ”
Which of these two responses would feel more natural for you to
make to her?
To flatly say, “Very good, mother is proud.”
To applaud and chirp in your best cheerleader voice, “Yea!
You
did it!
Good climbing!
Wow! ”
For most parents the first is too stiff,
but the second feels pretty
normal. Well, that’s Toddler-ese! Amazingly, we instinctively
automatically speak Toddler-ese when our kid does something to
make us proud and happy! Too often, however, when she gets
scared, mad, or sad, we suddenly become serious and stiff. Our
voices get flat and ultracalm and we
sound like emotional zombies,
because we think that acting calm will calm our child. But this often
backfires, because if we display no emotion when our child is really
upset, she may feel misunderstood and alone just when she needs a
friend.
It can take a little time and practice to get the hang of Toddler-
ese. So, if you’re just learning and still
feel self-conscious talking
like that, no worries—just start out slowly. Use it first for the little
ups and downs. Once you get more comfortable with it, gradually
start using it for more turbulent upsets. I guarantee that you will