Explore how to navigate difficult morning transitions with a three-year-old, building respectful connections with strong-willed children, and approaching parent-child struggles with empathy and connection. Discover strategies for addressing daily dressing challenges with understanding and respect.
16:34
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Quick takeaways
Approach transitions with respect and connection, viewing them as a joint task rather than a power struggle.
Emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding, focusing on building a strong relationship with the child.
Deep dives
Parent's Struggle with Morning Transitions
A parent seeks advice on dealing with her three-year-old daughter's resistance to getting dressed and transitioning in the morning for preschool. Despite trying various strategies like removing toys and offering incentives, the child still struggles, leading to crying and resistance. The podcast host emphasizes the importance of approaching the situation with respect and connection, viewing it as a joint task rather than a power struggle. Understanding the child's perspective and providing support through transitions is highlighted as key in addressing such challenges.
Understanding Child's Behavior During Transitions
The podcast delves into the common difficulty young children face during transitions, highlighting the relatable nature of these challenges. Acknowledging that transitions can be tough even for adults, the host stresses the significance of respecting a child's autonomy and emotions throughout the process. By reframing the approach from a power struggle to a collaborative effort, parents can effectively navigate transitions while maintaining a positive connection with their children.
Empathy and Connection in Parenting
The importance of empathy and connection in parenting is underscored, emphasizing the need to address children's behaviors with understanding and support rather than coercion. The podcast suggests approaching challenges such as morning routines with a positive and empathetic attitude, focusing on building a strong relationship with the child. By adopting a respectful and collaborative mindset, parents can navigate transitions more smoothly and foster a nurturing environment for their children.
Janet answers an email from a parent whose 3-year-old is having difficulty with transitions, especially getting dressed in the morning for pre-school. She’s tried several different approaches, but without success, and every morning ends in a struggle. She writes: “I feel like we are stuck in this weekday morning drama and don’t know what to do differently. Please help!” For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (https://adbl.co/2OBVztZ). Also available for download, her audio series "Sessions" -- recorded consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (SessionsAudio.com).
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