When a toddler won't put their coat on on a cold day, it can easily become a battle royale. So what can you do?
Guide them to learn to attune to their bodies. There is a fabulous natural consequence to help teach this lesson. They will get cold and then want their coat. (Make sure you have their coat with you!l The lesson isn't about them listening to you, the lesson is about them learning to listen to their own body.
Good luck out there people.
P.S. if your child is out in the cold and not able to feel the cold but you can tell they are being affected by it, they may be struggling with interception (or the ability to read their bodies cues) which is a signal there may be some neurodivergent wiring such as autism or ADHD and an evaluation with a psychologist could be a helpful next step.
Parenting can be hard. You want to do everything you can to make your kid feel worthy, but sometimes it feels like you're just not sure what to do. Luckily, dogs offer some great advice!
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The video suggests using playfulness as a powerful tool when dealing with toddler refusal and that it is more effective than threats, punishment, or intimidation as it guides, influences, and builds trust while keeping you calm to prevent triggering more resistance.
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Learn how to regulate your emotions and offer calm and compassionate support to your child when they are upset, even if you experienced childhood trauma or lack of emotional support from your parents, in this insightful video that emphasizes the importance of parking your inner child in a safe place, attending to their needs, and returning to being the parent your child needs.
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