While some parents are lucky to have toddlers who take to water like a duck, for others, bath time often spells crying fits, temper tantrums and a traumatic time for all. Even if you are a parent with a child who loves playing in the bath, often the process of getting your autonomous child into the bath can present a challenge. Toddlers are learning lots of new things everyday and are often in a world of their own. Getting them to take a bath right this instant isn't quite as simple as saying, "Hayley, come take your bath now."
Until your toddler can respond to such requests willingly, here are some creative ways to get your toddler to take a bath. It might be worth noting that not all methods work all the time and sometimes a combination of approaches and some modifications are necessary. With a little trial and error, they should at least help to minimise the number of times that taking a bath ends up becoming a battle of wills.
1. Creative Suggestions
It's all in the marketing... Even little children respond well to creative marketing. Sometimes the way you phrase "bath time" can make all the difference between a toddler rushing to take a bath and one who steadfastly refuses to be "told what to do".
Here is an example: A toddler who enjoys Thomas and Friends might respond more eagerly to the phrase "let's go to the wash down so we can be a clean and shiny engine like James". Just in case you aren't familiar with Thomas and Friends, James is one of the engines who loves going to the wash down (the place where all the engines are cleaned), and he is also very proud of being shiny and clean.
Alternatively, rather than say "take a bath", you can talk about "playing with water" or even "playing with bubbles" because both suggest engaging in a fun activity that appeals to some toddlers.
2. Let's Play with Bubbles
All children love bubbles. Sometimes the mere suggestion of playing with bubbles is enough to bring a toddler running. If you can, try to entice your toddler with a bubble bath first. If that doesn't work, you will still have the leeway to increase the ante with more bubble fun.
For instance those bubble solutions where you can blow bubbles with a special looped stick might just do the trick.
Alternatively, you can invest in a bubble gun that shoots high speed bubbles with a minimum of effort on your part. Your toddler, who hasn't quite learned how to blow bubbles will also find the bubble gun more interesting since it is easier for a child to press a trigger than to learn how to blow bubbles. The ability to make their own bubbles can be more appealing to toddlers who enjoy exerting their independence.
3. Bath Toys and Water Games
Special bath toys like rubber ducks or boats can add an extra dimension of fun to bath time. These days, there are a myriad of bath toys you can purchase to engage little ones in the bath. You can also buy bath books and interesting, colour-changing toys.
Returning to our earlier example with Thomas and Friends and the trains, one example of a water game would be to get your toddler to "take his engines to the wash down for cleaning". While your toddler is busy cleaning his engines, you can bathe him.
Alternatively, there are plenty of water durable objects around the house that you can introduce into the bath. A fun and educational activity is to offer your child cups and small bowls in the bath to practice pouring water from one receptacle to another. This serves to fulfill your toddler's desire to learn how to pour liquids in a suitable environment that doesn't require you to clean up after.
Another activity that some toddlers might enjoy is getting into the bath with a t-shirt on and later "washing" the shirt in the bath. One mother whose daughter hated bath time found that the only way she could get her daughter into the bath was to put her in fully clothed and slowly remove her clothes after she was in the bath.
4. Pictures in the Bath
Sticking plastic stickers onto the walls of the shower cubicle or onto the bath tiles, especially of characters that your child likes, can also be another way to entice your toddler to take a bath more willingly. If you don't have or can't get stickers, you can laminate pictures cut out from magazines, toy catalogues, CD covers, etc. Tell your toddler to "wash" his friends to keep him occupied while you get busy with soaping and rinsing your toddler.
5. Sweet Rewards
Rewards usually work better with older toddlers that understand the nature of a reward. Some effective rewards are stickers, small toys, and sweet treats, especially the normally forbidden ones. Sometimes the promise of being able to do a special activity after the bath can be quite effective, too. For instance, "After your bath, you can watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse."
Initially, when you are introducing the concept of a reward, you might have to offer a treat as a "taste test" then promise another one after the bath. When you toddler gets a hang of the idea, you can reserve all treats for after the bath.
6. Giving Options
Sometimes the objection to taking a bath is not necessarily the activity itself but the feeling of being imposed upon. This is especially important to a toddler who is learning to express autonomy over self. By offering an option and letting your toddler make a choice, you can still achieve an amicable end result.
Here is an example of offering an option for taking a bath: "Do you want to take a bath with the yellow bubbles or the blue bubbles?"
Sometimes negative options can work more effectively than offering a reward. For instance, "Do you want to take a bath now and watch Mickey Mouse after, or do you want to play for another ten minutes and have lights out after your bath?" Most toddlers don't like the thought of having to go to sleep and will try to avoid it almost as much - if not more so - than taking a bath.
7. Cleaning Up After Getting Dirty
Some toddlers have a natural predisposition to dislike getting dirty, although that fact itself may not stop them from engaging in fun activities that require them to get dirty. Allowing them to engage in these activities prior to bath time can be extremely effective in getting them to hop straight into the bath right after. For instance, finger painting is a fun and dirty activity that most toddlers enjoy, and washing up afterward usually brings a cooperative toddler to the bath, especially one that doesn't like to stay dirty.
With toddlers who dislike getting dirty, sometimes merely taking them to the mirror and pointing out food stains on their mouths or t-shirts can work as well.
Summary
There are many other ways to be creative about bath time and get a toddler's full cooperation. These suggestions and ideas might even help you think of other, more creative ways that suit your toddler's interests and temperament.
Although there may be times when it seems nothing you do can convince your willful toddler to take a bath without a tantrum, using tactics like these will help to prevent the majority of meltdowns.
Shen-Li is a stay-at-home-mum dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in parenting. She has a formal educational background and former work experience in healthcare. If you enjoyed this article, visit her blog Babylicious at figur8.net/baby and follow her as she learns how to raise a happy, confident and successful person.
How To Handle Your Toddler's Tantrums In The Best Way?
Most of the parents have absolutely no idea how to handle their toddler's tantrums, so their natural reaction is just ask the child to calm down, yell at him or any other way they think will make him stop screaming and crying on the floor! Well, it can work from time to time but in the long run it's just not really effective. This way your child will not stop until he is old enough. So I want to share few tips with you about what is the right thing to do as a parent when you see another tantrum! Let's start!
Distraction works excellent in these cases. When your child wants something and you can't give it to him from some reason – he throws a temper tantrum again! Well, you can always get his attention with something else he also likes and it's available right now! Important to say that it doesn't work with every kid…
If it's at home then the best method is just to let your child calm down because he probably will after 5 or 10 minutes! Just ignore him and let it pass on its own! This will teach him than he doesn't get any attention that way. After it passes don't punish the child – just treat him a little coldly for a few minutes so he will feel the consequences a little!
It's very important to stay calm during it and not to show any emotional reaction! It will take some time until it will stop completely, but just be a little patient! I hope I helped you and good luck!
By: Jackie Jhonson
Don't know how to handle your toddler's tantrums? Are sick of feeling embarrassed every time it happens and people look at you? Click here to discover the best method to stop toddler's tantrums once for all!
Distraction works excellent in these cases. When your child wants something and you can't give it to him from some reason – he throws a temper tantrum again! Well, you can always get his attention with something else he also likes and it's available right now! Important to say that it doesn't work with every kid…
If it's at home then the best method is just to let your child calm down because he probably will after 5 or 10 minutes! Just ignore him and let it pass on its own! This will teach him than he doesn't get any attention that way. After it passes don't punish the child – just treat him a little coldly for a few minutes so he will feel the consequences a little!
It's very important to stay calm during it and not to show any emotional reaction! It will take some time until it will stop completely, but just be a little patient! I hope I helped you and good luck!
By: Jackie Jhonson
Don't know how to handle your toddler's tantrums? Are sick of feeling embarrassed every time it happens and people look at you? Click here to discover the best method to stop toddler's tantrums once for all!
My Baby Won’t Sleep At Night, Top Tips To Help Babies Sleep
All the experts tell you that your baby should start sleeping through the night at about 3 months. But my baby won’t sleep at night, I hear you say. Babies are curious little creatures. They are like little sponges learning and observing all the time. As they get used to a routine, and things become more familiar, your baby could soon start to associate sleep time with time that mommy isn’t there. It’s called separation anxiety and it’s a normal part of development for many babies. But it can be especially trying for parents, as babies can be particularly strong-willed, especially about bedtime! The last thing you want is for baby to wake up regularly at night crying for you so often that it becomes routine.
You may be introducing some new baby foods around now, and this can help your baby feel sleepy as their bodies adjust to digesting food instead of just milk. Remember to introduce new patterns gently and slowly. If the baby isn’t going to sleep or keeps waking up and crying for you, then it’s time to teach yourself baby sleep techniques that you can use to break this habit and help baby sleep at night again. This also results in more sleep for you too!
Don’t change your nighttime sleep routine for your baby. You can still start out with a warm bath, a good feed, and a bedtime story. Rocking and snuggling, singing or reading – these are all important bonding times for mother and baby, and can help baby sleep at night. If baby doesn’t fall asleep right away, try putting her in her crib with the rocker or glider right next to the crib, singing or reading to her. You can sit by the crib and rub or pat her back.
In a week or two, move your chair a short distance away from the crib, so the baby can still see you, but you are starting to edge towards the door. You should continue to talk or read or sing. If she cries for more than 10 or 15 minutes, then get up and comfort her, but put her back down in the crib and go back to your chair.
In another week or two, move your chair even closer towards the door. Even these small changes could be upsetting for your baby, so be patient and be prepared to take a small step back towards the crib for a day or two before edging towards the door again. This is a time that can be spent productively. You can fold her laundry and put it away, sort out bath towels, or pair the families socks together, talking to her all the time, so she’s aware of your presence, but your attention isn’t focused totally on her. This way she can get used to the idea of separation gradually.
If you find these tips helpful, and they work for you, then great! Well done you! But if you find this advice is not working, or just seems to be taking too long to accomplish, then there are many more techniques you can learn for making baby sleep through the night.
By: Sophie Bright
If you find your baby still wakes at night, teach yourself baby sleep techniques that worked for me on my son. Click Here! Or read more of my tips here: Sleep Routines For Babies Wishing you a good night's sleep, Sophie x
You may be introducing some new baby foods around now, and this can help your baby feel sleepy as their bodies adjust to digesting food instead of just milk. Remember to introduce new patterns gently and slowly. If the baby isn’t going to sleep or keeps waking up and crying for you, then it’s time to teach yourself baby sleep techniques that you can use to break this habit and help baby sleep at night again. This also results in more sleep for you too!
Don’t change your nighttime sleep routine for your baby. You can still start out with a warm bath, a good feed, and a bedtime story. Rocking and snuggling, singing or reading – these are all important bonding times for mother and baby, and can help baby sleep at night. If baby doesn’t fall asleep right away, try putting her in her crib with the rocker or glider right next to the crib, singing or reading to her. You can sit by the crib and rub or pat her back.
In a week or two, move your chair a short distance away from the crib, so the baby can still see you, but you are starting to edge towards the door. You should continue to talk or read or sing. If she cries for more than 10 or 15 minutes, then get up and comfort her, but put her back down in the crib and go back to your chair.
In another week or two, move your chair even closer towards the door. Even these small changes could be upsetting for your baby, so be patient and be prepared to take a small step back towards the crib for a day or two before edging towards the door again. This is a time that can be spent productively. You can fold her laundry and put it away, sort out bath towels, or pair the families socks together, talking to her all the time, so she’s aware of your presence, but your attention isn’t focused totally on her. This way she can get used to the idea of separation gradually.
If you find these tips helpful, and they work for you, then great! Well done you! But if you find this advice is not working, or just seems to be taking too long to accomplish, then there are many more techniques you can learn for making baby sleep through the night.
By: Sophie Bright
If you find your baby still wakes at night, teach yourself baby sleep techniques that worked for me on my son. Click Here! Or read more of my tips here: Sleep Routines For Babies Wishing you a good night's sleep, Sophie x
10 Cheap Family Activities For Every Parent
If you're looking for family activities to do with your children, and don't want them to cost a fortune, then why not consider some of these exciting things you can do.
1. Just spending time with your children playing board games, or dressing up, or reading with them, will be very rewarding. Perhaps you don't get the chance to spend as much time with your children as you'd like to, so why not do something they like doing?
2. Going for walks can be great exercise for all the family, as well as fun and educational. Why not go to the countryside and see what wildlife you can see, or find out more about the area where you live, or put on your wellies and go out in the rain, and jump in some puddles or find some mud to play in!
3. Maybe your children love going to the park, so why not take them more often? You could take a football or a frisby, as well as playing on the slide and swings. Letting your children run around with others their age is a great way for them to make new friends, and also to let off steam.
4. Your children might benefit from going to museums and art galleries, especially if they're studying something specific in history or art at school. You could help them learn more about a certain period of time, or artist, and help them with their schoolwork at the same time. You might enjoy visiting a museum or gallery you haven't been to in a while too.
5. Are your children too young to appreciate your favourite sports? Why not see if they'd like to go to a football or rugby match, or maybe they've been inspired by watching tennis or motor racing on TV.
6. Does your gym have children's classes? Remember that if you don't take your health seriously, and watch what you eat, you can't be surprised if you're children are unhealthy. Instead of watching TV, or spending time on the computer, why not suggest going for a bike ride, or swimming?
7. Getting your children interested in cooking from an early age, can promote healthy eating, and ensure that they understand the importance of eating good quality fresh produce, and get their five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If you eat a lot of fast food, or unhealthy snacks, your children are likely to want to as well.
8. Don't forget to encourage your children to spend time with their friends. Maybe your children could invite a couple of friends round for tea, or to play. Why not see if you can become friendly with their parents, and they might repay the favour?
9. An afternoon doing arts and crafts is a great way to spend time with your children. Why not encourage them to be creative and artistic? Perhaps they'll enjoy colouring pictures, or making collages, or following instructions to make a model, or create something useful and practical.
10. Gardening can be fun for all the family, so if you've got green fingers, why not let your children help you with your gardening ideas and plans? They could have their own area of the garden, or plant pots, and grow their own seeds, and see how they do.
Now you know what sort of things you can doe with your children, and that they don't have to be expensive, what other family activities can you think of?
Discover a wide range of Family Activities you can do with your children, and amazing seasonal Gardening Ideas to make the most of your garden. If you're a parent, then you'll love Candis magazine. Find out more at Candis.co.uk today, and subscribe online. You'll be glad you did.
1. Just spending time with your children playing board games, or dressing up, or reading with them, will be very rewarding. Perhaps you don't get the chance to spend as much time with your children as you'd like to, so why not do something they like doing?
2. Going for walks can be great exercise for all the family, as well as fun and educational. Why not go to the countryside and see what wildlife you can see, or find out more about the area where you live, or put on your wellies and go out in the rain, and jump in some puddles or find some mud to play in!
3. Maybe your children love going to the park, so why not take them more often? You could take a football or a frisby, as well as playing on the slide and swings. Letting your children run around with others their age is a great way for them to make new friends, and also to let off steam.
4. Your children might benefit from going to museums and art galleries, especially if they're studying something specific in history or art at school. You could help them learn more about a certain period of time, or artist, and help them with their schoolwork at the same time. You might enjoy visiting a museum or gallery you haven't been to in a while too.
5. Are your children too young to appreciate your favourite sports? Why not see if they'd like to go to a football or rugby match, or maybe they've been inspired by watching tennis or motor racing on TV.
6. Does your gym have children's classes? Remember that if you don't take your health seriously, and watch what you eat, you can't be surprised if you're children are unhealthy. Instead of watching TV, or spending time on the computer, why not suggest going for a bike ride, or swimming?
7. Getting your children interested in cooking from an early age, can promote healthy eating, and ensure that they understand the importance of eating good quality fresh produce, and get their five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If you eat a lot of fast food, or unhealthy snacks, your children are likely to want to as well.
8. Don't forget to encourage your children to spend time with their friends. Maybe your children could invite a couple of friends round for tea, or to play. Why not see if you can become friendly with their parents, and they might repay the favour?
9. An afternoon doing arts and crafts is a great way to spend time with your children. Why not encourage them to be creative and artistic? Perhaps they'll enjoy colouring pictures, or making collages, or following instructions to make a model, or create something useful and practical.
10. Gardening can be fun for all the family, so if you've got green fingers, why not let your children help you with your gardening ideas and plans? They could have their own area of the garden, or plant pots, and grow their own seeds, and see how they do.
Now you know what sort of things you can doe with your children, and that they don't have to be expensive, what other family activities can you think of?
Discover a wide range of Family Activities you can do with your children, and amazing seasonal Gardening Ideas to make the most of your garden. If you're a parent, then you'll love Candis magazine. Find out more at Candis.co.uk today, and subscribe online. You'll be glad you did.
Parenting Solutions - 3 Easy Steps in Dealing With an Oppositional Child
Are you a parent with a defiant child? Are you pulling your hair out from opposition caused by your child? If you are a parent who is tired of being tired, screaming at your kids, putting them in time-out, etc., then this article may be just what you are looking for.
Households that are confusing (overactive) cause more confusion. Young children do not know how to react to parents who come home from work tired and in need of peace and quiet - or how to deal with a household of siblings who also want and need attention. Therefore, negative attention, to a young child, is better than none at all.
Understanding your child's need for attention is the first step a parent must consider. It is perfectly natural for a child to make demands. From the confines of the crib, a child learns to cry for attention. We have all heard about the "terrible twos". This often is the result of a toddler being curious and wanting to explore. The parent tells him "No", but it's not satisfactory to him. His curiosity is overwhelming and he just has to know what is behind the closed cabinet.
Likewise, the curious and defiant child wants to 'do it his way' and make the rules that pertain to him. "I don't want to go to bed" or "I don't want to eat this food" is a sign of independence at a very early age. So, how does a parent cope with such a strong willed and stubborn kid?
The first step is to keep calm. Raising one's voice is frightening and overbearing to a young child who will then cry and become obstinate. This, in turn, causes the parent to react negatively with words or actions. The cycle is repeated until one or the other gives in and/or collapses from exhaustion.
The second step for a parent is to remain consistent in his or her expectations of their child. Children will never learn what is expected of them if the parent does not show consistency in that regard. I think back to my own childhood and sitting in school. My teachers expected certain things from their students; and they made it abundantly clear on the first day of class what those expectations were.
The third step is for parents to send a clear message to the child in language they can understand. Be firm, but friendly. Have your child repeat what the message is. Have them explain it back to you in their own words. Never argue with a defiant child. It will do no one any good; not you, not your child. Years ago there was an old saying, "Children should be seen and not heard." Although I do not adhere to that advice, I do have a tidbit of other advice for you:
Pretend to be invisible to your defiant child. Pretend to be deaf. Sooner or later, he will get the message that his defiance brings no self-satisfying results. In the meantime, right now, go give him or her a big hug and let them know you love them. They are but little just once.
Gail Gupton is a grandmother of twelve. She has developed a quick, easy, and humane way to change Out-Of-Control children to kids who behave properly, guaranteed. If you have a child who back-talks, who's sarcastic, unruly, disrespectful, or disobedient, help is available at http://www.TheBehaviorSolution.com.
Households that are confusing (overactive) cause more confusion. Young children do not know how to react to parents who come home from work tired and in need of peace and quiet - or how to deal with a household of siblings who also want and need attention. Therefore, negative attention, to a young child, is better than none at all.
Understanding your child's need for attention is the first step a parent must consider. It is perfectly natural for a child to make demands. From the confines of the crib, a child learns to cry for attention. We have all heard about the "terrible twos". This often is the result of a toddler being curious and wanting to explore. The parent tells him "No", but it's not satisfactory to him. His curiosity is overwhelming and he just has to know what is behind the closed cabinet.
Likewise, the curious and defiant child wants to 'do it his way' and make the rules that pertain to him. "I don't want to go to bed" or "I don't want to eat this food" is a sign of independence at a very early age. So, how does a parent cope with such a strong willed and stubborn kid?
The first step is to keep calm. Raising one's voice is frightening and overbearing to a young child who will then cry and become obstinate. This, in turn, causes the parent to react negatively with words or actions. The cycle is repeated until one or the other gives in and/or collapses from exhaustion.
The second step for a parent is to remain consistent in his or her expectations of their child. Children will never learn what is expected of them if the parent does not show consistency in that regard. I think back to my own childhood and sitting in school. My teachers expected certain things from their students; and they made it abundantly clear on the first day of class what those expectations were.
The third step is for parents to send a clear message to the child in language they can understand. Be firm, but friendly. Have your child repeat what the message is. Have them explain it back to you in their own words. Never argue with a defiant child. It will do no one any good; not you, not your child. Years ago there was an old saying, "Children should be seen and not heard." Although I do not adhere to that advice, I do have a tidbit of other advice for you:
Pretend to be invisible to your defiant child. Pretend to be deaf. Sooner or later, he will get the message that his defiance brings no self-satisfying results. In the meantime, right now, go give him or her a big hug and let them know you love them. They are but little just once.
Gail Gupton is a grandmother of twelve. She has developed a quick, easy, and humane way to change Out-Of-Control children to kids who behave properly, guaranteed. If you have a child who back-talks, who's sarcastic, unruly, disrespectful, or disobedient, help is available at http://www.TheBehaviorSolution.com.
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