Medically reviewed to ensure accuracy.
Where did all this negativity come from?
Here’s why your toddler loves that two-letter word and how to deal with her constantly saying it.
Why toddlers say no
Yes, your child can hear you; she’s just not listening.
Beneath this burst of negativity are the seeds of self-expression.
When she shouts “no!”
it can be tempting to shout back “yes!”
But getting riled up will only fuel her fire (and raise your blood pressure).
(But don’t give in during atemper tantrum that will only encourage future meltdowns.)
offer a choice: “Do you want green beans or peas?”
For example, saying “How about if we go to the doctor today?”
is likely to spawn a mini-mutiny.
(“Today we’re going to the doctor.")
Bypass bossy behavior
Nobody enjoys being ordered around least of all aheadstrong toddler.
Instead, take a stab at make your child a partner in tackling tasks.
What do we do next?”
That way, she’ll focus on your shared goal and (just maybe) skip the power struggle.
“No touching Mommy’s phone.”
“No cookies.”
This will make off-limits activities (a little) less tempting.
“Don’t climb on the bookcase; it could tip over on top of you.”
After all, if you react so strongly, whatever it is must be worth touching.
(“Thanks for putting your shoes on, buddy.")
A quick pat on the back will motivate her to cooperate in the future.
And by the way, that works with grown-ups too.
