I’m not going to sugar coat this for you. I struggled horribly with my 2-year-old not listening. As a mom who researches things like how to make kids listen and how to be a positive parent to a strong willed child, the twos about did me in.
Yes, really. (That’s why I started researching why parents yell…)
But here’s the real shocker…
I spent eight years working as a critical care nurse, where my career was built around surviving high intensity situations.
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I used to code patients, do CPR, push drugs, shock people, and simultaneously run multiple medications and machines while never breaking one bead of sweat.
Then I had a 2-year-old not listening.
And I learned something profound. Parenting a strong willed toddler was far harder than my hardest day in the ICU.
The twos are hard for a reason.
Just to be clear, a two-year-old not listening is not because a two-year-old is terrible. Teaching a two-year-old to listen is hard because children are experiencing the greatest brain development of their life.
Simply put, from age birth to three, your child’s brain produces 700 new neural connections every second.
I’ll let that digest for a moment. Because when I first read that I about sprayed coffee all over my laptop.
With 700 new neural connections every second, is it really a wonder why teaching toddlers to listen is such a common struggle among parents?
There is something to help.
I used to get in all these non-sensical arguments with my 2-year old, and it would go something like this…
Him: I want toast.
Me: Sure buddy (gives toast)
Him: I don’t want toast (falls to the floor)
Me: What? Why? What’s wrong with the toast?
And right there is where I had it all wrong.
I was asking logical questions with the mindset that my 2-year-old’s thoughts were logical, when in fact, they were not.
When you have a 2-year-old not listening, a large part (like 90 percent) is because their behavior is driven by the emotional brain, not the logical brain.
Which means, your 2-year-old is having illogical and impulsive thoughts driven by emotion–all day long.
This is normal and expected because–woah–700 new neurons a second.
Here’s a simple solution.
Instead asking questions, meet your child exactly where they are in that moment. Girl scout’s honor. For real. Skip the questions. Toddlers don’t understand WHY they feel the way they do. They just feel it, and they gotta get it all out there.
This is why when you ask 2-year-olds “What’s wrong?” or “Why did you do that?” or “Why are you crying?”, they respond with crying, silence, repeating what they just told you, yelling or some other random response.
Your 2-year-old does not know the answer because his actions are based on emotional impulses, not logic.
He doesn’t know why he doesn’t want toast anymore.
He doesn’t know what’s wrong about the toast.
All he knows is that there is an overwhelming impulse inside of his brain telling him to, “Say no to toast!”
Instead…acknowledge.
No matter how illogical or impulsive your child is acting, acknowledge what they are thinking, doing and feeling.
Stay calm. Embrace it. Meet your child right there at the emotion.
“Ahhh…You don’t want the toast. I see.”
Then, wait. This is referred to by teachers as “wait time.” Or as I like to call it “the great parenting pause.”
This is where you pause for a good 3-7 seconds (or much longer) while your child has a chance to process.
Related: 7 Things That Will Change How You Try to Stop a Temper Tantrum
This is where the magic happens.
I quit fighting with him about the toast, and instead, I put my energy to good use and drank some coffee.
(I also started using these printable routine cards and they helped a TON with cooperation.)
Each time he said something, I acknowledged what he was thinking and calmly let him know about my boundary.
“You really don’t want that toast. I see. You can have the toast for breakfast or you can eat later at snack time.”
Then I paused and took a sip of coffee (Okay…several large gulps).
Low and behold….
Exactly 7 minutes later, he came back and decided he was ready to eat the toast.
It was a toast and a toddler listening miracle!
Not only did I save myself a 7-minute dogfight over toast, he ate the toast.
If you are struggling with a 2-year-old not listening, remember this: When 700 new neurons are growing each second, do not hesitate to avoid questions and embrace acknowledgement. Because all your child wants is for you to know that he doesn’t want toast in that moment. Who knew.
Print this free toddler listening checklist.
This post comes with a free printable checklist to help with toddler listening. I always have the hardest time remembering these phrases. This printable simplifies it!
Here is a sneak preview…
Download Your Free Printable
- Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 37,000+ parents who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!
- Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.
- Place it on your refrigerator. Check things off as you go and don’t forget a thing!
Want more posts on parenting?
- How to Handle Back Talk and Disrespect Like a Parenting Warrior
- 3-Year-Old Not Listening? Use This Simple Strategy
- Dear Moms of Wild Toddlers
- The Real Reason Why Kids Never Want to Sleep
- 2 Year-Old Sleep Schedule That Helps Everyone Get More Sleep
- 10 Empowering Ways to Improve Toddler Listening
I've created a free email series just for you! If you are struggling with teaching your child to listen, this series will help transform your parenting. Yes, really. I've seen my proven strategies work time and time again for parents. I know it can work for you too.
After taking my free email series, you will:
- Learn simple, yet highly effective listening strategies
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Marwa Hashem
What do I do when I tell my 2 year old to stop doing what she’s doing (throwing, hitting, jumping) yet she doesnt listen? I end up yelling at her, then she listens. Is there any way to do it without yelling?
carlyn cox
Whats the best way to potty train?pull ups or underware?he will be 3 in January.Thank you
Lauren Tamm
This is the method we used Caryln, Potty Train in a Weekend (http://amzn.to/2wcRJhp)
Kadence
I taught my 2 year old nephew to use the potty by him wearing a pull up and then putting underwear on top of It I would usually say remember to keep them clean and go to the potty and when he did he got a sticker to put on the potty seat.
Natalie
Lauren,
I’ve been reading several of your posts, they are incredibly insightful and applicable to my situatipn. It is very encouraging for me to know there is a health(ier) way to parent a strong willed child.
My 2 year old has a speech delay, so her lack of communication adds to the frustration. Validating her emotions will be very comforting to her, it will make her feel understood.
Thank you for offering your tips and sharing your parenting experience. I really appreciate it.
Lauren Tamm
You are so welcome!
Sara
Hi Lauren,
Your posts are going right on target without beating around the bush. That’s great for a stressed working mom like me! I read 4 of your post in the same time I usually read one! And got really inspired too! Definitely will try all of your advice on my 2.5 year old girl. By the way – she’s determined to NEVER give up breastfeeding for comfort and sleepy times. She was born underweight so I was told never to refuse her wanting to latch on. Now she declares WAR every time I try to refuse her some milk Got any advice for that?
Jayne
I am so glad I came across your blog post, this has really opened my eyes as to why my nearly 2 year old son will not listen. I was really reaching my limit with him not listening and the techniques you share here are exactly what I need. I could feel myself letting the stress get the better of me with 2 under 2 and a third baby on the way. Cannot wait to give them a try, thank you so much!
Stephanie, One Caring Mom
I love the idea of a parenting pause! What an awesome trick to just take a breath instead of arguing…which I’ve done entirely too many times but to no avail. It never works and I understand this, but sometimes it can be so frustrating. Having somewhere else to put that energy like into taking a drink of coffee will be really helpful. Thank you!
Katie
Your website is wonderful in content, layout, and style! I read one article and find five others I want to read. Your stories are so relateable – yep my son does that – did that too. Your writing style is hilarious – love it. I find myself chuckling and sharing your stories with my husband. We both have found your tips helpful. I especially love how you get to the root of the behavior in order to address it and this makes perfect sense to me and was transformative for my parenting. I find myself no longer easily frustrated with my son and I can respond in a more positive way. Thank you so much!