1.
If you are anything like me, you don't mind discussing the world with your children, UNTIL they start circling you with a WHY TORNADO.
Child: Why?
Parent: Answer.
Child: Why?
Parent: Answer
Child: Why?
Parent: 😫
This tornado habit usually happens only for a short period during a child's development (typically when they are between 2.5-4.5 years old), but it can feel overwhelming as a parent and frustrating and lead you to shutting your child down or responding with annoyance to their curiosity.
They seem to have an endless WHY question and you do not have an endless amount of patience for it.
Here is a magical connection focused re-direct...turn it into a time of imagination. Instead of focusing on giving them an answer, focus on teaching them how to wonder about something and theorize about it and tolerate the unknown and uncertainty of something they are curious about.
They will feel connected and you will feel the tornado die down. Two very good things.
Discover how to avoid power struggles and teach your toddler to attune to their bodies by using a natural consequence when they won't put on their coat on a cold day in this helpful video that emphasizes the importance of letting them feel the cold and learn from the experience, and seeking an evaluation with a psychologist if they struggle with interoception due to neurodivergent wiring such as autism or ADHD.
Learn how to teach your kids the difference between insults and feedback, empowering them to take accountability for their actions and establish boundaries with bullies in this insightful video.
Discover why responding attentively to your young children won't make them weak, self-centered and dependent adults, as research shows that emotional attunement and responsiveness from caregivers helps children feel safe and develop better awareness and focus in relationships, whereas ignoring their emotional needs leads to heightened fear states that make it hard for them to learn the nuances of relationships - check out the recommended studies to learn more and trust your instincts for care.