Parenting toddlers and preschoolers is a challenging job. Kids this age are growing fast, learning rapidly, and testing boundaries. Mindful parenting can help you stay grounded and respond to your child positively, even in difficult moments. Here are some tips for bringing mindfulness to your parenting.
1. Understand Your Child’s Development
Toddlers and preschoolers are in an intense period of brain development. They are learning to communicate, control impulses, understand and express emotions, and make sense of their world. Knowing what behaviours and challenges are normal for this stage helps you have realistic expectations.
“There’s no such thing as a perfect parent. But there are a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill
Mindful parenting starts with seeking to understand your child’s developmental stage. When you know what your child is going through cognitively and emotionally, you can respond with more patience, empathy, and effective guidance.
The inner critic says: Your child should know better by now! You must be doing something wrong.
Response to the inner critic: Toddler and preschooler behaviour is a product of brain development, not a reflection of your parenting. Your child is acting their age and will learn with your consistent loving guidance over time.
2. Take Care of Yourself
Parenting is stressful, especially in the demanding toddler/preschooler years. If you are constantly feeling overwhelmed, reactive, or emotionally drained, it is hard to be a calm, mindful parent. Make time for self-care, even if just a few minutes a day. Meditate, exercise, pursue a hobby, connect with a friend, or do something else restorative for you.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Mindful parenting requires being mindful of your own needs too.
Interesting fact: Parents get less than 30 minutes of “me time” per day on average. Small self-care breaks really add up!
The inner critic says: Self-care is selfish. A good parent sacrifices everything for their child.
Response to the inner critic: Taking care of yourself IS taking care of your child. You can best meet your child’s needs when your own cup is full. It’s not selfish, it’s responsible.
When you prioritize self-care, you model healthy emotional habits and are more capable of being the patient, positive parent you want to be.
3. Manage Your Reactions
Toddlers and preschoolers have an uncanny ability to push buttons. They have meltdowns over seemingly small things, struggle to control impulses, and challenge rules and authority. Mindful parenting means regulating your own emotional reactions so you can respond to your child calmly and constructively.
Your reactions to difficult behaviour are constantly teaching your child how to handle stress, conflict, and big feelings. When you stay composed, you help your child feel safe and show them how to manage emotions. You can’t control your child’s behavior but you can control your response to it.
Practical tip: When you feel triggered by your child’s behaviour, take a few deep breaths. Remind yourself that your child is acting their age and isn’t trying to manipulate you. Respond with firm but loving guidance.
The inner critic says: If you don’t clamp down hard on misbehaviour, your child will never learn and will walk all over you.
Response to the inner critic: Responding to your child harshly is likely to escalate situations and damage your relationship. Children learn best when they feel safe and understood. You can be kind and firm at the same time.
4. Be Fully Present
Young children need quality time with you each day. Put away distractions and give them your full attention, even for just a few minutes at a time. Get down on their level, look them in the eye, play with them, and really listen to what they have to say.
Mindful parenting means being fully present with your child in daily moments, big and small. Your focused positive attention tells your child that they matter. It strengthens your bond, boosts their confidence, and encourages cooperation and good behaviour.
The inner critic says: You don’t have time to play or just hang out! You have so much to do!
Response to the inner critic: Time connecting with your child is never wasted. It’s an investment that pays off in a stronger relationship, better behaviour, and positive memories. The dishes can wait a few minutes.
5. Help Your Child with Emotions
Toddlers and preschoolers feel emotions intensely but don’t yet have the brain development to control their reactions consistently. They need your help navigating the big feelings of early childhood. Teach emotional words, demonstrate calming techniques, comfort them through meltdowns, and empower them to solve problems.
Mindful parenting includes acting as a guide and role model for emotional intelligence. When you help your child work through feelings constructively, you’re building coping skills they will use throughout life.
Practical tip: Get on your child’s level and say “I’m here, I love you” when they are upset. Once the wave of emotion passes, calmly talk about their feelings and brainstorm positive solutions together.
The inner critic says: Letting your child express big emotions is coddling them. They need to toughen up.
Response to the inner critic: Experiencing and expressing emotions is healthy. Acknowledging your child’s feelings doesn’t mean condoning bad behaviour. You can empathize with and support your child while still upholding boundaries and rules.
Need more guidance? Book a private online mindful parenting coaching session tailored to your unique child and family. Get personalized tips and techniques to stay calm, present, and emotionally supportive even in the toughest moments.
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