Since my daughter Jessica often didn't want to stop one activity to begin another, I gave her choices that helped her transition into a new activity. This also helped with her decision making.
When it was time to stop playing outside and eat lunch, I would ask, "Would you rather help me make grilled cheese sandwiches or chicken strips for lunch?" Following a 10-minute countdown to bedtime, I would say, "After you put on your pajamas, would you rather hear Where Does the Brown Bear Go? or Goodnight Moon?"
Decision making may be overwhelming for a toddler. By offering just two options, only a few times a day, I gave Jessica the opportunity to make choices that both she and I could live with.
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2010 issue of Thriving Family magazine. Copyright © 2010 by Katrina Cassel. Used by permission. ThrivingFamily.com.