Any parent with a 1- or a 2-year-old will tell you that it’s hard work, and you spend most of the time saying, “No” and wondering what you’re doing wrong. How did you land up with such a naughty toddler, and what can you do to fix it? The good (or maybe bad) news is that you’re not alone, and your child is not naughty. In fact, he’s completely normal and a tough first three years are part and parcel of the task of parenting.
“A child under the age of 3 is seldom ‘naughty’, which is a word that I don’t even like to use - on purpose,” says Cape Town based social worker in private practice Anne Cawood, who is also the author of. “And you really need to have realistic expectations when it comes to disciplining your toddler,” Anne explains. “They are tiny people. They are still learning and developing, and their intent is seldom malicious. The sooner you realise this and figure out how to manage your toddler, the better it will be for everyone.”
