100 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY PARENT

12. HELP TODDLERS IMMENSELY ENJOY TESTING THEIR BOUNDARIES IN THEIR NEW WORLD BY TEACHING THEM GENTLY My bouncing beautiful heartwarming toddlers kept me abundantly loved throughout their ever testing “no’s” and enthusiastic energy from their ages two-four. These ages are filled with ever exciting , innovative magical wanderings. This is the area of childhood I seem to feel the most comfortable with. I like the flamboyantly imaginative meanderings of play and wild talk. Michael surprised me with a made up word; “Mommy you’re so ugliful!” He continued, “That’s called spiticilous!” (When he spit in a puddle.) His uniqueness persisted “But you are my little balodian,” he delighted. His originality electrified the mundane day. It felt like a new bubblegum pink striking though a magenta sunset urging my undivided attention. I was enchanted. These toddlers are so taken by the finger painted sky, rumbling trucks, ragged tailed squirrels, and mommy’s always redefined face. Being with them is a walk in a story book aglow with ornate ribbons on rosy faced girls in princess dresses. There are birthday parties on silky grass fields shadowed by towering rock walls and rickety bounce houses. Taste buds salivate upon first bite of the Spiderman Cake. Children seem so alive at this time I enjoy only gently correcting them if I need to. If they even make a mistake about anything. After all at this age they are just being adventurous and boundary testing. When it is time to correct these little treasures of innovation, I may gently remind them to “Let’s do it this way.” If a child spills something I may state, “I know your hand is tiny and the glass is bigger, next time can we use two hands?” Or “Can we clean this up together?” Other mistakes can be handled like this, “Crayons can be used on paper only, not on the walls.” Keep it positive. “When we come home from the park and go inside we are to use inside voices.” “We speak to adults with respect.” “Please work out a better way to play fair with your sister.” “If someone bullies you tell the nearest adult.” “If there are no adults steer clear of the trouble.” If you are a parent remember that at this age the child is experimenting with boundaries and needs your acceptance of this. Allow your child some freedom to learn from her own consequences. And if you’re that concerned about the mistakes that a child will make give him lessons on how to behave around the house. That might help to minimize some small disasters. 13. GIVE ALL YOU HAVE EMOTIONALLY You'd be surprised. Many people want to just acknowledge children the bare minimum. I say give children your undivided attention. I often wondered just how much attention is the correct amount. It does at times seem endless. However I received my answer when I experimented with my kids in countless interactions. I concluded that what is appropriate is what is honest. To be extraordinary is to be available emotionally. And to be alert when your child is speaking to you. It is the full spectrum and the thorough balance of owning who you are so that you can be available to them. Big order. Doable.