Opinion – With regards to our children, our love knows no bounds, yet parenting is far from devoid of its challenges. When anticipating or expecting a child, the narrative often excludes the moments when your young child persistently cries throughout the night until their demands are met. Nor does it prepare you for instances like your other child deciding that their bowl of porridge belongs on their head, or their belief that exiting a shopping mall involves kicking and screaming all the way to the car.
Parenting transcends infancy and introduces a whole new set of complexities once the baby phase is surpassed. This transition can be unexpectedly arduous, catching many off guard.
Fortunately, parenting expert Gen Muir steps up to support parents grappling with toddler tantrums and infantile breakdowns in her latest book, Little People, Big Feelings.
The title resonates deeply, mirroring the sentiments many parents hold towards their own children.
In my nearly four-year journey as a mother to two spirited youngsters, I’ve delved into numerous baby manuals, perused countless parenting guides, scoured endless websites, and even enrolled in various online parenting courses. However, none have left a lasting impact or proven effective—until now.
Muir’s writing style creates an immersive experience, akin to having a companion in the trenches, offering both solace and practical advice. The incorporation of humorous and candid personal anecdotes from her own parenting mishaps adds a relatable touch to the narrative.
This book serves as a beacon, guiding parents through the labyrinth of intense emotions and challenging behaviors, addressing topics ranging from setting boundaries and fostering resilience to managing meltdowns and tantrums.
Muir’s dedication at the outset, “This book is dedicated to Owen, Liam, Tom, and Harry for being the most patient and loving teachers as I worked out how to be your mum,” strikes a poignant chord, underscoring the emotional depth of the journey.
A glance at the table of contents reveals a treasure trove of solutions encapsulated in chapters such as “My child won’t listen!,” “How to make ‘no’ mean ‘no’,” and “Meltdowns and tantrums.” Muir doesn’t shy away from addressing the fear of parental missteps or when situations escalate beyond control.
Drawing insights from Muir’s book, I implemented the following strategies with my three-and-a-half-year-old son:
- Children struggle with multitasking, hence altering communication methods can yield better results.
- Establishing connections through touch and empathy is pivotal in effective communication.
- Engage children through humor, creativity, and play to foster understanding.
- Enforcing boundaries becomes more manageable once a strong connection is established.
- Introducing concepts of “first” and “then” can help navigate through intense emotions.
Putting these principles into action, I defused a potential tantrum scenario with my son, redirecting his focus and diffusing the tension effectively.
While not every situation may allow for such detailed interventions, having these tools at hand provides a sense of empowerment for weary parents.