My Baby and More
Parent Coaching and Educational Services
Because Kids don't come with Instructions!
You are at home, rushing around, with only five minutes left if you are going to make it to the last half of play
group. You still have to help the kids get their shoes on, get them in their car seats, and drive across town.
Hastily you call to your toddler that it is time to go. What do you hear? “No Mommy, I don’t want to go! I want
to stay home!”  If you finally manage to get out of the house, you will most likely find yourself suiting up for
the same battle an hour later, when its time to go back home for lunch.

As any parent of a toddler knows, transitions are one of the most challenging, yet unavoidable, parts of the
day. Soon after our cute little babies master the essential skills it takes to walk and talk, an irresistible urge to
make their own choices begins to surface. Although this is an exciting time, we run into trouble when our
toddlers realize that the only way to make decisions of their own is to first disagree with everything that you
have to say. Now whenever you ask them to do something, even if it’s eat ice cream, it’s highly likely they will
refuse!

Creativity is an essential parenting skill. We can help guide our children through a peaceful, productive, and
non confrontational day by using some of the "tricks" below:

  • Sing a song - Singing to initiate, and through a transition, is especially helpful for toddlers. By being
    consistent and using the same song for the chosen activity your child will learn that these songs are
    clues to what comes next. We all know the “Clean Up” song; how about “This is the way we put on our
    shoes”, or “If you’re ready and you know it, stand by the door”?

  • Offer choices - Toddlers are much more willing to cooperate if they feel like they have some control
    over the process. Bring two pairs of shoes over to your toddler and say: “It’s time to put your shoes on.
    Would you like to wear your sneakers or your sandals?  I wonder which ones you are going to
    choose.” (Keep choices to two.)

  • Use Humor and/or a little reverse psychology - If your child initially refuses to put on her shoes,
    put them on your hands and walk, dance, or run them past him. Use a silly voice and say “You can’t
    catch me! I don’t want to go on your feet! No! No! NO!” You will definitely have his attention and he will
    most likely playfully snatch them off your hands and quickly put them on her feet.  

Good Luck and remember to enjoy this special time with your child because it goes by way too fast. If all else
fails, play group can always wait until next week!

Mom, Parent Educator, and Author, Colleen Newman has her degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology and is a Certified
Happiest Baby Educator.  Colleen’s love for children prompted her to start her business My Baby and More Parent Coaching and
Educational Services. My Baby and More provides parents across the country education and support on positive parenting and natural
parenting methods such as breastfeeding, babywearing, and attachment parenting through one-on-one phone, email, in-home, and office
consultations, seminars, and classes. Colleen loves spending time with her best friend and husband, John, while they have fun raising
their two children.    © Copyright 2005 My Baby and More All Rights Reserved.
Transition Tricks:
Going Smoothly from Point A to B
By: Colleen Newman
Disclaimer:  All material provided at MyBabyandMore.com is intended for educational purposes only.   
Please consult with your Healthcare Provider if you have any questions and before applying any recommendations found on this site.  
© Copyright 2006 My Baby and More. All Rights Reserved.