When Kyle was turning one I started reading toddler books.\u00a0 I knew\u00a0that Toddler behaviour will probably be a challenge for us since a) John and I were both a hand-full\u00a0when we were young and b) Kyle had that “wild”, rambunctious attitude about him as a baby.\u00a0 One of my favourite books was called Toddler ABC Guide to Discipline <\/em>by Michelle Smith with Rita Chandler.<\/a>\u00a0 I\u00a0liked the advice (actual actionable\u00a0steps), and the writing, but mostly,\u00a0I liked\u00a0that it was a VERY short book and a quick read.\u00a0 Too many advice books, although helpful and full of information, are\u00a0not great\u00a0as reference books, for when you really need to\u00a0look up advice based on the situation at hand.<\/p>\n

One of the best things that I’ve implemented from that book is\u00a0something we refer to in our house as “it’s sleeping”.\u00a0 I started this with Kyle almost\u00a0immediately after reading about it.\u00a0 When we were at the park, and had to go home, I said “the Park is going to sleep, time to go home”.\u00a0 Yes, I know this sounds SILLY, but IT WORKS!!\u00a0 Kyle never questioned it.<\/p>\n

According to the book (Chapter Four: promoting Positive Behaviour), it states that using the term “sleeping” is a<\/p>\n

“Terrific transitions to avoid dragging a kicking, screeching kid away…Use this when child must change activities or leave a place they like…Children like a simple reason as to why things have to stop or go away – and this helps.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>Since it worked so well, we’ve used\u00a0the “sleeping” strategy\u00a0for many things since.\u00a0 For example, Kyle is obsessed with\u00a0bubbles during his bath time.\u00a0\u00a0Even if he’s distracted and playing with his other\u00a0bath toys, he insists (signing “more”) that we keep blowing bubbles.\u00a0 To stop this, we started saying “the bubbles are going to sleep now.” And guess what? It worked!\u00a0 He never\u00a0fusses or gets upset, he just puts his hands on the side of his head to sign “bed \/ sleep” and we nod, and say “yes, bubbles are going to sleep”.\u00a0 And that’s that!<\/p>\n

Kyle’s latest obsession is the hot dog song from the Mickey Mouse Club House show.\u00a0 Specifically, he loves watching this YouTube video of the song on repeat on the iPad:<\/p>\n