I had braced myself for the terrible two's - I'd seen enough of Supernanny to know it could be a rough ride when little ones reach this milestone. But to be honest in our household we were rather smug. The terrible Two's for Miss G being actually not that terrible! This had to be because we were such wonderful parents with a thoroughly effective approach to behaviour management? or that all those years immersing myself in parenting books, manuals and magazines had not been a waste of time (and money) but had helped me raise a serene two year old? Oh it would be nice to delude myself! But of course not!
Miss G had perhaps bided her time, gaining knowledge of her world and of her parents weaknesses lulling us into a false state of smugness until finally reaching the age of three. Then, oh dear, our behaviour management perhaps required a few major tweeks to deal with the sudden change of our happy go lucky toddler to a miniature 'Kevin the teenager'. This continues to be hard work and I have been keen to research and try out positive methods of dealing with Miss G's behaviour - to avoid conflicts and to try and keep things as fun and lighthearted as we possibly can!
During my research I stumbled upon an intriguing CD 'Tunes for toddler tantrums'.
www.tunes4toddlertantrums.co.uk
On the back of the CD it reads "Each song includes a game to help draw the toddler in and turn those temper tantrums into fun and giggles whilst parents enjoy a stress free day" - this was exactly the approach I was looking for! Having the 'naughty step' battle was not fun , I wanted to avoid the tantrum rather than learn to deal with it! I listened to the CD by myself before introducing it to my brood, and instantly could pick out a handful of songs that would relate to aspects of our daily life that could lead to tantrums - such as tidying up, eating dinner, and for Baby E getting her nappy changed!
It certainly meets its claim, turning activities which my kids tend to rebel against into a game, to give you an example after two listens together of the tidy up song, later that morning I played the song again when it was time to tidy away the toys and Miss G sang the song together with me and happily tidied up - telling me to hurry up and help her before the count of 10 (within the song). This was a revelation!! And this was also I am very pleased to report not a one off, she has continued to respond well to the tidy up song, last week there was a day when I felt she was becoming immune to its happy tidy up powers, however I let her be in charge of turning on the CD and once again we continue to have cooperative and tantrum free times when having to stop play to tidy up.
My 11month old, Baby E is also responding well to the songs, we have had particular success with the 'Nappy Time' song, were she has to pretend to be a wiggly beetle on her changing mat - lots of giggling, tickling and fun replaces the old experience of desperately trying to contain her on the mat until nappy is changed.
Although the songs are clearly effective and very well thought out (the composer Victoria Arlidge, has composed for childrens tv programmes and has had BAFTA and EMMY nominated tv credits to her name - very impressive stuff!) what has struck me most about the CD is its effect on my behaviour management. It helps you to remember that bringing up little ones has to be lighthearted and fun, which in turn helps to avoid those challenging tantrum filled conflicts! To have a song to fall back on when you see a little one ready to 'start' is such a nice way of calming everyone (mum included) rather than that awful tense experience of watching it all erupt! From this point of view I do think the CD works absolute wonders and is a lovely tool to add in to everyday behaviour management with little ones.
For more information about 'Tunes for toddler tantrums' visit the website www.tunes4toddlertantrums.co.uk , in my opinion well worth having a look!
Best wishes x
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