Playtime
You’re shopping, your kid spots something and falls in love with it, but you don’t buy it and they start to throw a tantrum—sound familiar? Here are two tips to handle this. First, when shopping, tell your child that you like the item too but won’t buy it because you don’t need it. Hearing you resist treats helps them learn that we don’t always get what we want.
Second, offer to take a photo of the toy so you can remember it when birthdays or holidays come around. (Kids tend to forget anyway!)
Up High
Trim their toenails while they’re safely seated in the high chair.
Layers
If your little one sometimes wets the bed, invest in two waterproof mattress protectors and layer them. When accidents happen at night, just remove the top one—no need to change the whole bed.
Basic Tricks
When your child is crying, ask what color their shirt is or pose another simple question like their favorite toy. This little distraction often helps stop the tantrum.
Double Up
If your child falls in love with a toy, buy a second one and swap them out so they wear out evenly. I learned this the hard way when my kid lost their favorite stuffed bunny on the bus and mourned it for weeks. Now, their Ikea panda is their everything, and I’m glad we have a backup—one got dropped in a puddle, and the other was left at grandma’s house.
Competitive Spirit
We turn everything into a friendly competition between siblings: who can get dressed fastest? Whoever gets to the car first wins! I bet I can tie my shoes faster than you! This still works after years.
Battery Low
If you want to avoid noisy toys, just say the battery is dead—even if it’s not battery-operated. (Once my husband jokingly told our son that dad was "out of battery".)
Buffet Style
When I’m short on time or energy to cook, I grab a muffin tin and fill its 12 cups with different foods: deli meats, cheese, cucumber, baby carrots, and a small bowl of cream cheese or spreadable cheese. The kids get a slice of bread and create their own sandwiches buffet-style. It’s no problem if they don’t eat the bread—they dip veggies and pick at the fillings. I also add fruit like grapes and apple slices. The kids love it!
The Room
Instead of telling your child to go play in their room, ask them to bring something there. For example, “I found this Lego in the living room—could you take it to your room?” Most of the time, they stay there to play.
The Power of Choice
Kids don’t like being told what to do, but giving them choices gives them control. Instead of saying, “Go to bed,” ask who they want to read a story at bedtime—mom or dad? Or say, “It’s bedtime, but you can choose to watch a short story or pick one from a book.” This also works when they resist getting dressed. Don’t say, “Put on your sweater,” but ask, “Which sweater do you want to wear, the blue one or the red one?”
