by JW83 18 Replies latest social family
Hi, does anyone have tips on how to get a 2yo to dress herself or let me dress her in the morning when I am in a hurry & her dad has left her shoes at her grandmother's, and we are late, and my thesis is due in 3 days, without completely losing it?!!
failure
2 years old is too young, to expect them to dress themselves.
Many 3 and 4 year olds are too young.
Gotta make them watch Elmo first
Nope! You're just going to have to manage, as has every parent of toddlers in times past...
hah you sound like me, only im not working on a thesis at the moment. Mine is 16 months, but she is growing more independant by the day. Im am going to school now as well, and yes it is very hard. Thats why im taking the summer off, I need some down time before the hectic days really start. I try to keep mine on a tight routine in the morning...that way she knows...she wakes up, has breakfast, I set her clothes out the night before, we change and get ready to get out the door.....Of course it doesnt help when she is running around the house screaming at the top of her lungs..which Im sure you have experienced also
crappy advice, I know but its all I could come up with on short notice. Plus, she is throwing a tantrum right now because it is bedtime! lol
LOL @ Melba Toast! Thanks.
The thing is, she dresses herself every morning & is usually really good - but spent the weekend at her grandmother's, so I think she just wanted to relax with me this morning. Also, she was watching Elmo! I put it on while I got ready & then she flipped when I turned it off! She wouldn't let me dress her & it took us ages - then I lost it ... I smacked & screamed & stormed off - that's why I was writing here, because I feel really ashamed, & my husband is at work so I can't talk to him. I just feel really bad because she is such a good girl, & I love her so much.
Two years old is too young to dress themselves. They don't have the coordination to be able to handle such a big job. At that age they are just experimenting on trying to put clothes on, but don't know how to do it yet.
This is what I did to dress my kids. When you wake them up in the morning, before they even really wake up, start dressing them. They will be half asleep still and just lay there as you dress them. By the time you're done dressing them, they will be woke up enough to get up and go to the breakfast table.
Wow- I just read your post that's amazing that she can dress herself, you have one smart cookie!
JW83,
she dresses herself every morning & is usually really good - but spent the weekend at her grandmother's, so I think she just wanted to relax with me this morning. Also, she was watching Elmo! I put it on while I got ready & then she flipped when I turned it off! She wouldn't let me dress her & it took us ages - then I lost it ... I smacked & screamed & stormed off - that's why I was writing here,
Poor baby - and poor mommy!
When my son got into a Gifted & Talented class when he was about 10, his teacher taught me a valuable principle: when you really need obedience, don't give your child a choice. Even a direct order leaves a choice - that of sitting there like a bump on a log and being punished.
I would have (if I thought fast enough!) picked the little darling up, tucked her clothes into a bag, and taken her off to day care (or wherever) in her pajamas. Smiling all the way, of course, and with a tender goodbye kiss.
Actually, I like loves11's solution even better.
gently feral
Thanks guys! She was already awake this morning - her dad drove her home from grandma's at about 7am. I like your solution, gently feral. Next time, if I am stressed out, I will do that. thank you she is a smart cookie. she can count to 12, sing her abc's, she walked before she was 9 months, she always dresses herself, is toilet trained, & is really wise. I said to her this morning, I am so sorry and she kept saying, 'me too'. I don't deserve such a beautiful girl.
I said to her this morning, I am so sorry and she kept saying, 'me too'. I don't deserve such a beautiful girl.
I dunno - you sound like a bloody good Mum to me!
