“Raising toddlers is so easy!” said no one ever.

Seriously, helping these little humans is not a job for the weary! Although I’m sure parents of toddlers are weary often…anyway, the point is: parenting is a job that takes a lot of effort, especially in these first few years of a kiddo’s life.

That being said, here are 10 tips for raising or working with toddlers that can make your life a lot smoother.

1. Know that your toddler’s heart is good.

Although it can be hard to see sometimes (WHY did they dump out your potted plant?!), it’s helpful to remember that your toddler is not doing things to hurt you or cause you grief. So much of their behavior at this stage is simply exploring their world, especially seeing where boundaries are.

2.  Keep a regular schedule.

Some parents reject keeping a regular schedule but remember, toddlers thrive with consistency. Helping them know what to expect each day can help reduce tantrums and confusion. Plus, it helps you not have to devote precious brain-power to figuring out what to do each hour of the day. We dive more into how to actually achieve this in our Parenting With Peace course.

3. Turn your no into a yes.

Does this mean when your toddler asks to jump off the roof that you say yes? Of course not. What difference do you notice between these two responses?

Child: Can we get pizza?

Parent A: No, we can’t get pizza.

Parent B: Yes, we can get pizza tomorrow. I’ve already made dinner for tonight, so pizza sounds perfect for Friday night.

4. Actually do what you say. And only say what you will actually do.

One of the best things you can do for your kids is to be consistent. Not only is this less effort and stress for you as a parent, but it also helps give your kids the evidence that they can trust you. This might mean not saying things when you want to give out threats, and allowing delayed consequences. We go more depth about discipline in our Parenting With Peace course.

5. Find a healthy balance between rest and play.

If you spend too long resting, your kids may start bouncing off the walls and not sleep well at night. However, if you spend too long playing, your kids may be more sensitive and prone to meltdowns. You are the expert on your kid! So you can find that sweet spot with a mix of play and rest that will be best for you and your child.

6. Allow them to make decisions about their body.

Allowing your child to make decisions about their body gives them autonomy and helps prepare them for adulthood. One way you can help your child make good decisions regarding their body is by allowing them to choose what they wear.

You can help them in other areas too. Letting them choose who and when they will hug/kiss (with the other person’s permission of course) is a helpful way to allow them to make decisions regarding their body.

This also applies to how much and in what order they will eat food. You can control when the kitchen is open and what is on the menu but your toddler can choose what he or she puts into his or her mouth.

7. Let them make mistakes.

This can be a hard one for many parents. We love our kiddos! So of course we don’t want to see them hurt or sad. But it’s also important to remember that mistakes are one of the best ways to learn. Letting them make small mistakes when they’re little can help them learn important principles that will benefit them when they are big.

8. Have fun together.

These early years can be challenging but they sure do set a foundation for the next years. Your relationship with them can provide a buffering protection against today’s difficulties and give them a healthy foundation for them to grow on. Having fun together can be a bonding, joyful experience.

9. Limit screen time. 

There are tons of studies about this, but unlimited screen time isn’t good for anyone. And it’s especially unhelpful for little ones who are still developing. Having a healthy boundary with screen time will help your kids function better and also give them more opportunities for face-to-face interactions, playing outside, and other great things.

10. Read, read, and read some more. 

There aren’t enough pages here to list the incredible benefits of regular reading to your child. But to name a few: a better relationship, improved reading and comprehension skills, broader perspectives, greater resilience, increased vocabulary, and more. One of our favorite quotes is “There is no app to replace your lap.” And it’s true!

Do you agree? Have you tried any of these? Let us know in the comments!