Parenting Tips for Your 17-18 Month Old Toddler

There are many positive ways parents can tell children what they need to do. Guiding children in a respectful and positive way is a win-win solution for parents and children.

• Tell, don’t ask. If you want your child to act in a certain way, tell him what you want; don’t ask him. If you need to take him to the doctor say, “Now we are going to the doctor” not “Do you want to go to the doctor now?” If it’s time to put toys away say, “Let’s put the toys away now,” not “Do you want to put your toys away?”

• Help your little one want to do what he needs to do. If you want him to pick up his toys, make it a game that you play with him. If he doesn’t want to take a bath, tell him a story in the bath to make it more fun.

• Offer other solutions. When your little one is doing something you don’t want him to do, suggest something else that he might enjoy. “You can pour water in this sink not on the kitchen floor.” “You can throw the ball outside, not in the house.”

• Give choices. Sometimes you can help your toddler try out his independence and get cooperation at the same time by giving him a choice. “Will you put your toys away in the basket or in the box?” or “Are you going to wear your sweater or your jacket when you go out to play?”

• If you find yourself getting angry at your child, take time out. Put your toddler in a safe supervised place; tell him you are upset and that you need to be quiet for a few minutes. Then try to relax. After this, it will be easier for you to guide him calmly and sensitively. If you must discipline your child, have your little one spend 2 minutes alone in his room and take “time out.”

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