Keeping Up with your Toddler: Why It Matters

OK, I admit it. My 17 month old has a million times more energy than his pregnant and often tired mom. There are usually at least 3 times during the day when I look at the clock and wish that nap or bed was just a little closer. There are games to play, books to read, meals to prepare, feed and clean up, potty times to manage, a house to keep up, and rules to enforce. Walking sure makes that last one a lot more time consuming!

Oh, but it is worth it to stay on top of the rules! Consistency in discipline is where a parent's power lies. If Junior gets away with playing with the dishwasher knobs just once because you're too tired to walk over there and enforce the "no" you just issued, your "no" just became weaker. You don't want that. A child who obeys Mom's verbal direction is a child who can be a joy. There are lots of years before this child is going to be out on his own.

I find myself sometimes being tempted to slip on this one. It would be so much easier to let him just fiddle with the knob. The dishwasher isn't on right now. But what about when it is and he messes it up next time? Or what about when you're out in public or at Grandma's house and he doesn't think Mom's "no" holds any water? Then you have to pay for taking the easy road earlier.

Now it's not that you have to say "no" to your dishwasher knobs. That's not the important part. Every parent will choose different rules. It is wise to think about how allowing or prohibiting something is going to play out when Junior is a little bigger and smarter, but what you choose to allow or prohibit really isn't the main thing. The main thing is that when you say "no," you follow through. For us that means a smack on the hand if the thing is touched anyway and being removed from the temptation for a minute or so if it's touched again. The punishment could be different for you. Again, the main thing is that you consistently apply the rule. Junior shouldn't haven any surprises.

Oh, you know this already, don't you? But it's hard! That kid's got so much energy and is so curious about everything (especially the off-limits stuff!). But keep up! You'll be so glad later when you have a child who obeys. I have seen just wonderful children in grocery stores who are helping and obeying. I know it's possible, but I also know it's not natural. Those Moms have worked hard to train their children.

Now, I know this sounds kind of cold. "Discipline." "Train." "Get them to obey." But it is actually a really kind thing for a parent to do. The Bible says "the Lord disciplines those he loves" (Proverbs 3:12). Toddlerwise reminds us that teaching obedience and order is training the "habits of the heart." The child who is accustomed to trusting Mom and Dad's word and complying will be a child whose heart is ready for obedience to the Lord. A selfish, self-willed person will have no end of trouble in life. A person who can obey and consider others will excel and enjoy life much more easily. Teaching our children obedience is giving them a wonderful gift.

Photo originally uploaded by juhansonin
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