"There's no doubt that your 2-year-old is testing you, but it's not in
the way you think. At this age, children are grappling with standards of
behavior and trying to grasp the rules of the family. They're stuck
between needing you to make them comply and "owning" a rule so that they
follow it even when you're not around. Combine this slowly emerging
ability to follow directives with a 2-year-old's natural
self-centeredness, though, and it's easy to see that the road to
obedience won't be smooth.
First, 2-year-olds want what they want when they want it. They sometimes see giving in to you as a real loss. Second, they want to know just how rules are defined. (If I sit this close to the edge of the step, will they tell me to move back? How about this close?) Third, they really do need lots of coaching from you.
So remind yourself that this testing is healthy rather than manipulative. The question, then, is what to expect from your child. Probably not too much. Rather than being dismayed by her disobedience, adopt a different mindset. Try to make your home a place where the number of no's isn't overwhelming. And don't leave it all up to her; make compliance a cooperative effort. If you don't want her to play with your crystal collection, for instance, make sure the china cabinet is locked and keep other valuables out of her reach. If you collect rare books, stow them on the top shelf instead of constantly reminding your child that she can't take these special books out to look at. Learn to pick your battles — it'll help you along the long road of parenting, especially when adolescence hits. And remember to have a sense of humor. After all, 2-year-olds can be pretty funny and ingenious when they're pushing the limits."
First, 2-year-olds want what they want when they want it. They sometimes see giving in to you as a real loss. Second, they want to know just how rules are defined. (If I sit this close to the edge of the step, will they tell me to move back? How about this close?) Third, they really do need lots of coaching from you.
So remind yourself that this testing is healthy rather than manipulative. The question, then, is what to expect from your child. Probably not too much. Rather than being dismayed by her disobedience, adopt a different mindset. Try to make your home a place where the number of no's isn't overwhelming. And don't leave it all up to her; make compliance a cooperative effort. If you don't want her to play with your crystal collection, for instance, make sure the china cabinet is locked and keep other valuables out of her reach. If you collect rare books, stow them on the top shelf instead of constantly reminding your child that she can't take these special books out to look at. Learn to pick your battles — it'll help you along the long road of parenting, especially when adolescence hits. And remember to have a sense of humor. After all, 2-year-olds can be pretty funny and ingenious when they're pushing the limits."
P/s: i am in love with baby center.
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