Parenting Tips: The Terrible Twos

Your toddler has started having frequent temper tantrums, His mood swings are as predictable as yours were when you were pregnant with him. The most frequent thing uttered by his sweet lips is 'NO'. Welcome to the Terrible Twos.

The terrible twos can start anytime after your child's first birthday. During this time your toddler struggles to gain as much independence as he can. Here are a few tips to help you get through the terrible twos.

• Have a Routine
During the terrible twos your child needs consistency. Have regular scheduled meal times, nap times, bedtime and stick to the schedule daily. The fewer changes you have in your toddler's daily routine during the terrible twos, the better behaved he will be.

• Limit Choices
During the terrible twos your toddler wants to be independent. When you don't allow your toddler to make a choice, he is more likely to have a tantrum. Limiting choices to a handful of choices that you approve of decreases the likelihood your toddler will have a temper tantrum. The terrible twos is a time of learning for both you and your toddler. He is learning his boundaries. You are learning his likes and dislikes.

• Be Firm
The terrible twos is not a time to give in to your toddler's whims. Once you have set a routine and you have given your child limited choices, be firm. Being firm isn't the same as being mean. Your toddler needs to learn you are serious when you tell him something. The terrible twos isn't a time to let your child run the show. Don't be surprised when your toddler tests your limits.

• Don't Give in to Tantrums
I can't stress enough that parents should never give in to a temper tantrum. Temper tantrums for your toddler are like quarters in a slot machine in Vegas, the more likely it is going to payoff the more it will be played. Toddlers who get what they want by throwing a tantrum are much more likely to throw more tantrums. The terrible twos will last much longer if you are going to give in to your temper tantrum throwing toddler.