In a Nutshell - 16: Pearls of Parenting Wisdom and Humor

• The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe. (Lawrence Kutner)
• Parents are not perfect. There are going to be times when you overreact and times when things don’t work out the way you’d planned. It’s at these times that the lesson is learned by the parent rather than the child. (Lori, mother of five)
• Many of the battles you see happening between toddlers and parents could be avoided with a bit of calmness, common sense, and compromise. Remember, the battle you win today could mark the beginning of a long and unhappy war. (Joyce, mother of two)
• Sign in a store: Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy.
• Behavior Modification sounds worse than it really is. It is basically a way of teaching or re-teaching cause and effect. (Joe Sky-Tucker)
• If Nicholas is hitting Jonathan with a toy, I take that toy away. That becomes the punishment. It’s directly related to what was happening. (Catherine, mother of four)
• The “terrible two’s” is really a cognitive exercise. It’s a toddler’s way of exploring cause and effect, with her parents as the guinea pigs. (Andrew Meltzoff)
• The move from babyhood to toddlerhood is difficult from a social perspective. Babies are welcome almost anywhere. Everyone wants to see and hold them. Toddlers, on the other hand, are sometimes seen as a nuisance. (Joan, mother of five)
• Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again? A: When the kids are in college.
• My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night. (Clare, age 6)