If you’re the parent of a toddler I’m sure at some point you have experienced the above named syndrome, and if you haven’t beware… It’s bound to crop up in the not too distant future.

The first thing you should know is that your toddler is experiencing a very normal part of development. Even the most reasonable of toddlers will not want to share their precious things at some point.

As embarrassing or difficult as this can be don’t get too discouraged by their behavior and certainly don’t blame yourself or your parenting skills. Take comfort in knowing that this is simply part of your toddler’s development and is helping her prepare for her next stage of life.

The good news is you can gently deter this situation even before it starts. Here are a few tips:

Distraction Technique – Distract your child with another toy or ask her to come and join you to play on the swings, etc. without making a big deal about sharing. This will often work as toddlers get bored quickly and she’ll probably appreciate the distraction.

Nip it in the Bud – Anytime two toddlers are playing together it’s best to keep a close eye on things. As soon as you see a potential situation about to erupt, dive in there and break it up. Tempt your child with a more interesting toy or show them a fun new game.

If your child is playing nicely and another child is trying to take her things then distract that child. Find something similar or a close replacement to what your child has and offer it to them. Tell them how great it is, of course, don’t overdo it or then you’ll have two toddlers fighting over this new and wonderful toy you’re talking about.

Walk Away – If things get really bad and your child refuses to give back a toy to their crying owner then it’s time to take action. Gently pick up your child and walk away. They may kick and scream but remember YOU are in charge. Take him to a quite corner or space and wait for him to calm down. Then give him a hug and explain that you know he really wanted that toy but that it belongs to someone else.

Chances are your child isn’t going to understand or accept the meaning of this but you’ve now diffused the situation and can continue to play happily.

The Aftermath – After the fact it’s great to talk things over with your child and explain why it’s important to share, but be realistic. Most toddlers won’t understand the concept of sharing or why they should do it and all the talking in the world isn’t going to change things.

As your child starts to mature that’s the time when it’s more appropriate to try and reason with them since they will start to have an understanding of actions and consequences. During the toddler years that understanding isn’t there.

The best way is often to avoid and / or distract your toddler. This will help diffuse
a lot of incidents before they even start.

Juggling all the aspects of your life can sometime seem like things have gotten out of control, and it’s all crashing down on you at once. You begin to wonder if you’re doing this, that, or anything at all, right. When your self-confidence wavers, try some of these quick tips to shore it up again, and give yourself a break.

1. Stop setting the bar so high – You’re not Super Mom. Nobody is. Sit down and list all of your current commitments. Must you do them all? Prioritize them to better manage your time and feel less stressed, and drop the ones you don’t have the time for.
2. Set time aside for yourself – Remember that along with your financial, spousal, and maternal duties, you have one more: to yourself! Budget your time so there is some left over for you. Get a babysitter if necessary, so that you have a regular evening off/out. Do whatever you feel like doing. Take a class in something that interests you, or just relax with a book in the tub. You’ll come back to your other obligations refreshed, and better able to deal with them.
3. Dress for success. Whether that’s at the office, or a meeting with your children’s teachers, wear the things that make you feel good. Choose colors that please you, in styles that are appropriate to wherever you may wear them. Get a new haircut, facial, or make-up consultation. Let the real you shine!

Every parent waits for the day their child gives them the exciting news that a grandchild is on the way. This is a chance to relive their parenting days without the need to parent. They are now free to simply enjoy all the wonderful moments they many have missed or forgotten while raising their family.

Empty nesters go through a dilemma when their children suddenly are gone. Even if the transition has taken many years to complete, suddenly they are alone. It’s time to redefine their life and who they are now. Maybe take up new hobbies they never had time for; reconnect with old friends or even make that big decision to move to a smaller house.

Whatever they are doing and however they are resolving the internal issues, it always comes back to family. Your mind is free to wonder and suddenly you are back in your child’s soccer years; or those hours spent at the ballet studio; or the hours you spent chauffeuring them to all the different activities, or the times you couldn’t make specific events because you had to work..

Then the questions start popping up; did you do enough; were you too busy; did they know how much you loved them back then? And then suddenly, after all the self doubting, living through memories you did not want to relive, you find you are going to become grandparent! Ah…this is why you have had all the memories. It’s time to pass them on to the next generation.

Now is the perfect time to tell your stories to your new grandchild. Search on the Internet, cruise your local book store and invest in a journal that best suits your needs. You’ll find hardbound, quilted, paperback and even software applications you can use on your computer. Some are made especially for recording grandparent memories.

Now all you have to worry about is how much you can fit into the journal before you decide it’s too much. Why not make the decision to create a keepsake journal for each grandchild that arrives so they each have their own grandparent journal? This way, they’ll all know how special they are and how giving you are to have shared your thoughts, feelings and your life stories with them.

New mothers often feel inadequate as a parent. They question their instincts because it’s strange and new to have these feelings. An important thing to remember is that your instincts are real. Every woman has intuition. As a mother, your intuitive instincts will grow even more. Here are a few points to help you as you learn to listen to your instincts.

Trust Yourself
What is your inner voice telling you? Be still and quiet and you will hear it. Let’s suppose your baby is crying and running fever but has no other symptoms. Your instincts tell you that she has an ear infection, even though you haven’t noticed her pulling at her ears. Do you trust yourself enough to take your baby to the doctor, or wait?

Don’t Second-Guess Yourself
You know your strengths and weaknesses. Are you naturally jumpy, or nervous? Do you overreact to minor situations? Do you rely on other people’s instincts or advice instead of following after what your own intuition tells you? Never second-guess yourself. If you think your baby needs medical attention, even though a “veteran” parent says that you’re overreacting, what would you do?

Know that You are Capable
One of the greatest fears of a new mother is that you will fail your child. Be assured that you know what is best for your child. You are able to provide for his needs. You are the best person for the job!

The terrible twos… Even the most dignified parent has been left red-faced and wanting to be swallowed into the ground while their toddler is having a public meltdown.

Here are a few easy ideas for avoiding toddler tantrums:

Don’t Let Them Get Over Tired – Don’t let your toddler become too tired. Set a regular nap routine and try to stick to it, and make sure he goes to bed at a reasonable time and gets enough sleep during the night. Tiredness is often the first reason for a tantrum.

Keep Sugar Levels Stable – Don’t let your toddler’s blood sugar levels dip too low. This will make him irritable and tired, the tantrum will soon follow. Make sure he has plenty of small nutritious snacks throughout the day to provide him with a steady source of energy to avoid blood sugar dips.

Give Them Time – Allow enough time for activities like getting dressed, brushing their hair and getting in and out of the car. Your toddler will want to do a lot of these things on his own and rushing him is a sure way to start a tantrum. Give him a little extra time and let him try to be independent by allowing him to do certain things for himself.

Put it Away – Is there a certain item that always causes your toddler to have a tantrum? A food that’s only for after dinner or an item he shouldn’t have. Then put it where he can’t see it. Out of sight, out of mind, is a great way of avoiding tantrums.

Ignore It – This is easier said than done and of course it depends where your child is having his tantrum. If you’re in the middle of the supermarket you can’t just walk away or ignore your child especially if they’re grabbing or breaking things. In this instance it may be best to gently pick up your child and take him outside or to an area away from people and noise. Give him a few minutes to calm down and a big hug.

If your child is having a tantrum in a safe place like at home, then it’s best to walk away until he calms down. Make sure he can’t hurt himself or anything or anyone else and just walk away. Once he’s finished give him a hug and talk about what he’s feeling.

Give Him a Hug – Many times your child just needs to be held and needs you to help him control his emotions. If he’s in the middle of a tantrum try gently hugging him and just hold him. A lot of the times this will completely diffuse the tantrum. Be sensitive to his reactions and if you see your hug is only making him more upset then give him a little space instead or try a different approach.