8. "Bad" Behavior

Jamie doesn’t believe kids are capable of “bad” behavior in the traditional sense—most toddlers aren’t mentally developed enough to act truly maliciously. But when you mix complex feelings, a near-complete inability to verbally communicate those feelings, and few if any inhibitions, and your little one can turn into a little shit really quickly. The trick is figuring out what feelings motivate acting out and what tools we can use to help them express those feelings in a healthier (and quieter) way.   In this episode, Jamie discusses the three major ways your little one can act up, as well as some helpful techniques you can use to expand your kid’s emotional vocabulary and keep them from going overboard. The Finer Details of This Episode:   Don’t trust anyone who claims they can eradicate your kid’s unruly behavior. Acting out: when our kids put into action what they’re unable to communicate. Limit-testing: how our little ones figure out what they can get away with.   Tantrum: the emotional explosion that happens when stimuli get to be too much.   Why firmer boundaries will inhibit limit-testing. Nearly every tantrum can prevented if your little one is getting the sleep they need. Don’t go all out for an overly stimulating birthday party your toddler’s never gonna remember. Teaching your kids the basic language that will allow them to express their new and strange feelings. The “tetherball” approach to pushing back against limit-testing. Figuring out which tantrums are preventable and which ones you’ll just have to accept. The “Will I Cave?” method for determining the right times to say yes or no.   Quotes: “Remember, they’re so new—2, 3 years old. They don’t have all the words!” “Children are allowed to have bad days, and I think we all forget that.” “The tricky thing about boundaries is that kids will keep moving them.” “If it’s gonna wack your kid out and result in tantrums and bad behavior, say no.” “Your job is to be a pole in cement, in the ground, that they can totally kick off of.”   Links: Jamie’s homepage - http://www.jamieglowacki.com/ Oh Crap! Potty Training - https://www.amazon.com/Crap-Potty-Training-Everything-Parenting-ebook/dp/B00V3L8YSU Oh Crap! I Have A Toddler [Pre-order my new book] - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Oh-Crap!-I-Have-a-Toddler/Jamie-Glowacki/Oh-Crap-Parenting/9781982109738 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices