Trying Toddler-ese

"Grown-up people do very little and say a great deal.... Toddlers say very little and do a great deal.... With a toddler you cannot explain, you have to show. You cannot send, you have to take." -Penelope Leach

Just on a whim, I bought a copy of The Happiest Toddler on the Block on Monday at a thrift store.   I never read the version for babies, but had used some of the techniques in the book with a reasonable amount of success, and every parent of toddlers can use a little practical advice, especially us first-timers.

So the author of HTOTB says the best way to deal with toddlers when they're having a tantrum or are upset is to speak "toddler-ese", which means to show your child you know how they feel by repeating back to them what they are saying.  I admit it sounds slightly psychobabble, but on the other hand I can see how it would be annoying to be upset and always have people telling you "It's okay" when it certainly doesn't seem okay to you.

I gave it a shot yesterday during one of the dreaded diaper changes.  When she got upset as per usual, I said back to her in her same whiny tone "You don't LIIIIKE it!  You don't LIIIKE it!" and she immediately quieted down.  It could have been the sheer novelty of me sounding like her, but I got her attention, and then I said "I know you don't like it, but we're almost done" in a very calm tone.  I was impressed with how quickly she responded, and also how it kept me from escalating the cycle by getting mad at her. 

So I'll try this method for awhile, even though it makes me feel a little silly.  But what part of raising kids involves dignity?  Haven't found one yet...

I wanna wear ALL the necklaces!!!