Do you have a child who whinges to be picked up?
Want to learn exactly how I have helped families get their little ones happily using their walking feet?
The research advice is -get them outside to help with meltdowns and release all that energy.
But what if your little one just clings to you to be picked up the whole time.
This is a frequent challenge parents mention to me during my consultations.
It can be very frustrating, as soon as you get home they are climbing and running everywhere. But whinged the whole time to be carried.
It may have become a pattern for your child every time you go out for a walk they are asking to be carried. We want to try and break this habit.
1 Have a clear rule when out and about. Do not feel bad if you have to say
" I can't carry you at the moment. I know this is hard for you."
2 Be confident with your decision as little one will feed off this and pick up on your confidence. If you are not clear they will see this as an opportunity to push the boundary more.
3 Get down to their level and give eye contact (its the window to their soul)Say their name and place a hand on their body as this touch can provide some connection. What they may be seeking.
4 Let them know you understand.
" I understand you want to be carried."
" We are using our walking feet at the moment."
5 Give them something to think about to prevent them moving to their emotional brain.
" Shall we stomp like a dinosaur or sing incy-wincy spider?"
" Would you like to hold your teddy whilst we walk?"
6 Try and create a bit of fun, they can use their walking feet until they get to the red car, then you will carry them until the next blue car.
7 If little one is getting upset, you could try offering a big bear hug.
" I understand you want daddy to carry you, let us have a big hug and then we can use our clever boy walking feet.”
Offer a hug without picking them up.
"Daddy could use a BIG hug now too”.
Sometimes little ones just need to release that emotion first
and then they can continue.
Try counting the steps as you walk together.
Love to know if you give any a go.
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Sue x