Monday, May 14, 2012

My Toddler this week: 18 Month old Ryder: Managing meltdowns


Since I'm always at home ( still on maternity leave) I rarely witnessed a tantrum from Mason. But if he does like to throw one like the back-arching-screaming-at-the-top-of-his-lungs messy diaper change, or when making himself go-limp-and-become-dead-weight the second you pick him up from the tub when he is enjoying himself taking a bath.

I read that tantrums are an expression of frustration over something a toddler can't do, either physically or because it's not allowed. Mix in fatigue or hunger, and kaboom!

As much as I wish I could soothe the savage beastie right away, there's no magic formula. A tantrum usually burns itself out faster if I act neutral or even ignore it instead of responding with a sympathetic cluck or rational explanation.So what I try to do is wait for him to calm down, offer him a chance to regroup or try a distraction.

But don't get me wrong Mason is very loving, sweet and funny, and to prove that here are the pictures to show.






My Toddler this week: 17 Month old Ryder: Acting like a Baby


Is it normal that mason is acting like a baby?


From time to time, I notice that Mason is acting like a baby again. like, wanting to be carried or held all the time, asking for a pacifier when he sees one in his baby brothers mouth or asking for a lot of attention.


But I guess it's normal, I mean his world is expanding pretty quickly and sometimes he may need to go back in time to grab a little of security. So I guess I have to stay calm and be supportive, knowing that Mason will bounce back to his previous level of development as soon as he feels secure again.