Get Your Toddler to Cooperate!

An Excerpt

By Elizabeth Pantley

Preschoolers require more finesse to gain their cooperation, because they have not yet reached the age at which they can see and understand the whole picture. Robert Scotellaro is quoted in The Funny Side of Parenthood as saying, "Reasoning with a 2-year-old is about as productive as changing seats on the Titanic." (He must have had a 2-year-old at the time.)

You can get around this frustrating state of affairs by changing your approach. Let's look at two situations -- first the typical (Titanic) way:

Parent: David! Time to change your diaper.

David: (As he runs off) No!

Parent: Come on honey. It's time to leave, I need to change you.

David: (Giggles and hides behind sofa.)

Parent: David, this isn't funny. It's getting late. Come here.

David: (Doesn't hear a word. Sits down to do a puzzle.)

Parent: Come here! (Gets up and approaches David.)

David: (Giggles and runs.)

Parent: (Picking up David) Now lie here. Stop squirming! Lie still. Will you stop this! (As parent turns to pick up a new diaper, a little bare bottom is running away.)

I'm sure you've all been there. By the way, David is my son. Like you, I got very tired of this. And then I discovered a better way:

Parent: (Picking up diaper and holding it like a puppet, making it talk in a silly, squeaky voice) Hi David! I'm Dilly Diaper! Come here and play with me!

David: (Running over to Diaper) Hi Dilly!

Parent as Diaper: You're such a nice boy. Will you give me a kiss?

David: Yes. (Gives diaper a kiss)

Parent as Diaper: How 'bout a nice hug?

David: (Giggles and hugs Diaper.)

Want to see more?

• Stop That Whining!
• Toilet Training Without Tears
• Arguing and Back-Talk