Why aren’t the IG tips working in real life?! 😭
hello ◡̈
I’ll be the first to admit this stage (2.5) of parenting has humbled me so damn much. Like every stage, I don’t think I could have been truly prepared for this phase of motherhood. He’s so smart, honestly, sometimes too smart for his own good. Which gets us in a lot of trouble. He’s 2.5 right now and I SWEAR I’ve tried all the Instagram tips and tricks… and for a while, I kept wondering what I was doing wrong. Turns out, I just have a very strong willed toddler. And what works for him isn’t “getting down on his level” or “offering him a hug” 😭😅
I’ll be so real… I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve been raising my voice. And I freaking loathe it. Especially because it doesn’t work either. It just heightens everything and makes us both feel worse.
So what DO I do? Honestly, most of the time… I do nothing. I survive it. I watch it unfold and make sure we’re both safe. Then I do nothing. So we’re dealing with a snotty nose meltdown because I won’t let him draw on the walls with crayons? Okay, the crayons are put away for now. Once he’s finished, we move on to something else. And yes, that’s it. Some days, especially the all day ones, I’ll step outside for a minute. My nervous system needs a break too.
This is the truth for soo many people. And they might not share it because, tbh, it’s not pretty. It’s overwhelming and it’s so hard. But just like anything else, this is a season. There will come a time when my toddler can use the regulation skills I’ve been teaching him. Eventually, he’ll grow out of these loud, screaming tantrums.
As someone who has journeyed through the challenging toddler years, I completely relate to the frustration of trying every Instagram parenting tip and still facing daily meltdowns. From my experience, the key is understanding that each child is unique; what works for one may not work for another, especially if your toddler is particularly strong-willed. I've found that the concept of 'surviving the season' truly resonates. Some days, no matter how many calming strategies or reasoning attempts you make, the tantrums simply aren't going to disappear instantly. Instead of constantly feeling pressured to fix the behavior immediately, focusing on safety and emotional support during outbursts helps both parent and child feel less overwhelmed. Allowing yourself to step away briefly, when safe, can rejuvenate your own nervous system, making it easier to handle the next wave of toddler energy. Sometimes, setting simple boundaries like removing crayons from the walls, then calmly redirecting attention helps minimize destructive behaviors without escalating tensions. It’s also important to remember that these turbulent moments are part of your toddler’s neurological and emotional development. Their nervous system is often louder than their ability to reason, so patience and consistency over time will eventually support their growth towards self-regulation. No parent should feel like they’re failing because their child isn’t responding to popular advice. Real-life parenting isn’t a highlight reel; it’s messy, exhausting, and full of learning curves. Sharing your honest experiences, acknowledging the difficulties, and finding personalized coping strategies create a healthier mindset and foster resilience—for both you and your toddler.
Girl I am so with you and feel this!!! You know my boys are basically the same age hahaha it’s so hard but I agree surviving and yes raising your voice sometimes is all you can do. I will say my boys are two months away from three and I’ve seen A MAJOR difference in just the last few months!! We’ll get through this!! 🥰 I’m just going to wipe it from my memory afterwards 😂😭