The “Terrible Twos” Reconsidered: Practical Tips for Meeting the Challenges and Discovering the Joys of Your Terrific Toddler

It can be difficult to think toddlers are terrific when they are throwing a tantrum at the grocery store, rejecting the fancy new potty chair you bought or shouting “No!” in response to nearly every request you make. But the toddler period really is a time of extraordinary learning and development, and even the most annoying behaviors signal some of those exciting changes.   Judy Schumacher is a family educator, mom, grandma and author of “Terrific Toddlers!” She joins Marti for a rich discussion of how to understand the behavior of toddlers and guide them to use all that energy and newfound independence in more constructive ways.   Why do you think tantrums and negativism are so common in toddlers? What is the developmental meaning of those behaviors? What practical tips or helpful principles did you get from this Mom Enough discussion?   Related Resources: Toddlers & Tantrums tip sheet by Dr. Marti Erickson