When you become a parent, your level of patience is tested in a really different way. It’s so easy to give love and joy to our kids, but it is without a doubt the hardest to discipline. Why? Because of our patience. Raising a toddler is definitely a roller coaster ride! Most of the time it’s giggles, smiles, and hugs. Then there’s times where you pose the question “is there light at the end of this tunnel?” I never really thought the term “terrible two’s” existed, and I keep denying it exists with my toddler. He just turned 2 this past September, but even before 2 years old he had his share of tantrum attacks. Now that he’s talking more, and learned the word “NO”, it seems as if the tantrums are more frequent. Especially, before naps and bed time and lately during meal times too. I’ve been reading the book “The Happiest Toddler on the Block” by Harvey Karp M.D. (which I will  review when I’m done with it), and I practice the teachings of the book as I read along. Some days it works, some days it doesn’t. Does it depend on my son’s daily temperament, or mine?

I give him plenty of attention, which some say that I “spoil” him too much. I try my best not to yell and talk in a more calm, but firm manner. Yet, when the tantrums tend too be “too much”, I tend to “lose my cool” in return. I break down inside and I get anxiety feeling like a failure because I don’t know how to calm my toddler. Let me just get it straight and be honest with you: When I lose my cool, I don’t resort to violence such as hitting or spanking, but I tend to raise my voice, and most of the time my phrases consists of “DON’T DO THAT” or “NO!”. Many say that raising your voice doesn’t work, and it’s true. It doesn’t.

Therefore, my questions for are: what do you do, or how do you deal with things when you’re about to lose your cool? How do you deal with your child’s temperament? How do you stretch out your patience?  Do you storm out, do you hide in the bathroom, or do you just release the anger and yell? Not just with your kids, but with others, as well?

Throughout the following weeks I am going to start a series called “Patient Parenting”. I did not want to post a very long and monotonous post about how to deal or cope with our children. Let’s face it, we’ve seen many posts like that. However, I wanted to create a series so that we can work on one task at a time together little by little each week.

To break it down, this is what Patient Parenting will cover:

1. Giving yourself a TIMEOUT.

2. Avoiding harsh or yelling tone.

3. Avoiding negative statements.

4. Picking battles.

5. Apologizing.

This entire parenting process is still new to me. I am learning as I go, and I wanted to create these posts as a daily reminder for myself, and to help out those who are undergoing the same. I want to start this early while my son is only 2, because who knows how he will be like as a teen or a young adult. I do not want to be remembered as the parent who always yells, or the parent who he can never run to for a problem or even a question.

I am open to suggestions and tips from other parents! I would love to include what you have to say and how you deal with stress and your toddler’s temperament. Please leave me a comment below or shoot me an e-mail momdanica@gmail.com

Looking forward to starting this series with you!

Have a beautiful weekend,