So I went to a seminar through work yesterday called Conscious Discipline. I was hoping to find some new strategies to use with Eva and I did take away some things that I will use. Remember though I am in no way an expert on this method so if you want a more detailed description please click on the link.

Is was a little difficult for me to “buy in” to everything they were saying but overall I think it is a good concept.  First they described children’s behavior in context of brain activity.

The brain stem, is the pat that tells you when you are in danger.  So when your child is screaming, hitting, and throwing a tantrum really what they are saying is “Am I safe?” This is where you convince your child that they are safe by getting down on their level and talking in a calm but assertive voice.  “You are mad that Sally took your toy away.  You wanted to play with that toy.”  You can encourage your child to take a deep breath to relieve tension.  This makes them feel safe because you are modeling self-control and helping them to get control of themselves.

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My title is a little bit sarcastic today.  This is more me just venting.  Toddlers are an interesting dichotomy of opposites.  They can be cute and loving one minute and obnoxious and defiant the next.  Evangeline has just recently entered the testing stage and man can she test mommy’s patience.  On a typical day she will wake up sweet and loving, just full of smiles and hugs and kisses.  She is easy and agreeable.  I say, “do you want milk?” and she nods happily and is content.  A few hours later she is demanding, and cries and screams if I get up to do anything.  Throw’s a tantrum if she can’t have something she wants.  Is defiant. This morning she threw her milk on the floor when she was done eating (her daily ritual).  When she got down I asked her to pick it up and put it on the table, which she normally does just fine.  Nope not today she sat there and stared at it and didn’t move. 

I am just sitting here this morning thinking… “how long does this time last for?”  She is only 18 months old, do I really have another 12-18 months of this?  When she is being cute and adorable I find myself loving this age and never wanting it to end.  But 2 seconds later she is throwing a tantrum and I am wondering, “when will it end?”