The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block 2-Book Bundle pdfdrive com

message. “ ‘No, no, no!’ You say, ‘No car, Mommy. No,
no, no!!’ ” She would vigorously wave one arm, wag her
finger and say, “You hate it, hate it! You say, ‘No, no,
no!’ ”
When you find yourself in this situation, repeatedly echo your child’s
feelings and aim for his sweet spot. It may not stop his crying, but it will
make him feel understood and respected, and it will help him recover
faster once you get home. (Wait until a quiet time, much later, to give
your lecture about the dangers of cars and why car seats are smart to
use.)
Win-Win Compromise.
Offer a win-win compromise to show
respect and gain cooperation.
Three-year-old Baron often complained that his car seat
was “too tight.” But his dad used his love of music to find
a compromise. “I’m so sorry, Baron, but Daddy has to put
you in the seat. I know you really, really hate it, very
much! But wait, wait! I have a very important question.

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much! But wait, wait! I have a very important question.
Do you want me to put on your Silly Songs music before
you sit in the seat or after?”
Gossip.
After you get back home, let your child overhear you
gossiping about his struggles and successes.
“Psst! Hey, Elmo! Moses didn’t like his car seat at first
and started to cry. But then we started to sing the Happy
Birthday song and he got happy and became a super-
duper car-seat sitter! I’m gonna tell Daddy what a good
job he did!”
Defiant-Behavior Example: Picky Eating
“Dr. Karp, I swear he lives on air. He eats one cracker
and that’s it for the day!”
—Shana, mom of two-year-old Danny
Feeding, feeding, feeding has been your big job for a long, long time. We
all feel like good parents when our kids clean their plates.
Yet many toddlers tenaciously refuse any food other than crackers,
macaroni and cheese, and buttered bread. Don’t take this fussiness
personally; it’s just a normal part of the rigidity so common to the
toddler years. Take some time to read a book or check with your doctor
to learn the amount of nutrients your child really needs, and track his
food intake over a week or two to see if he is getting enough. Most kids
require less than we think.