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What do you need to know as a mom to a toddler? How can you set yourself up for success and have the right expectations? Today we are sharing helpful ways to be a Brave Mom in the early years when you have a toddler. Share this episode with the moms of toddlers in your life.
IN THIS EPISODE:
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Extra sleep is still needed because your toddlers will have lots of energy.
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Play games with them that have them using up their energy (run around the table 10 times)…
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Be consistent with what you require from them and discipline
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If they get away with something more than once you will have to work way harder later on to undo it
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Remember that discipline is love. “Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.” Prob 13:24
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Keep having them take naps and if they stop napping turn it into quiet time in their rooms so that you continue to get the break and rest you need.
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Have expectations for them that are on their level. Don’t expect too much or too little
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Teach them how to act BEFORE you go places. Practice at home and remind them in the car on the way there.
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Their “why” questions may drive you crazy but answer them when they are not questioning your discipline. Kids need to know the reason why and you are educating them with moral reasons why that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. Why don’t we run in the store? Because someone might come around the corner and we could run into them hurting them and that would not be nice.
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Give them choices with rewards for good decisions and consequences for bad decisions.
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Your strong-willed toddler will change the world one day. Equip them to make good choices and be self-disciplined.
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Start teaching them now to pray and to wait and listen to hear God’s voice.
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Play with them and make memories but you are not allowed to feel guilty when you need to do the laundry and they want to play. Doing the laundry is for them too and it helps them learn there is a time to play and a time to work. It also helps them to learn to entertain themselves which is a valuable skill as they grow.
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Start teaching them about how special their bodies are and that no one should be touching them inappropriately. Tell them what to do if that happens and repeat this every so often.
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Make date night a priority. Keep working on your marriage. Keep taking good care of yourself.
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Keep doing the things that light you up inside.
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Remember this is a season and it will end and a new season is around the corner.
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