by Tracy Wilson

Created on: September 08, 2010

Toddlers go through a variety of phases.  Whether it is the phase of trying to run away from you the minute he is out of the house, or whether it is a phase of ignoring you, take heart in the knowledge that this is simply a phase that he is going through which will pass. 

At some point, usually at the onset of the terrible twos, you child will start trying to assert his independence.  He will try this in a number of ways, such as refusing certain foods, saying he does not like you or simply ignoring you.  This is not your child’s attempts at driving you insane, it is purely his way of testing the boundaries that are being set, and seeing how far he can push you as a parent.  It is what children do, and what they must do in order to realise how much scope they have in their role as your child.

Toddlers are naturally much more free-spirited than adults and if they do not feel like doing something, they will see no reason why they should.  This is a perfectly normal stage of their development. 

Ignoring behaviour has three categories. 

*  The toddler ignores you because he is genuinely distracted with something else.

*  The toddler ignores you to test his boundaries, to get attention and to see what Mummy will do next.

*  The toddler ignores you because he really feels no need to follow your instructions or engage in a conversation with you.

In the case of your child being genuinely distracted, it is often suggested that you try to engage your child before you say what it is you want to say.  Get down to his level, perhaps gently touch him to keep his attention, ask him to look at you, and then talk to him.   However, not all ignoring behaviour is based on the toddler being too distracted with something else.  In my experience, once your toddler realises that if he ignores you, you will get down on your knees in order to gain his attention, chances are he will ignore you more and more in order to push the boundaries and see how far Mommy will go.  This is a good game for your toddler.  At this point it is best to take different steps or you might end on your knees everytime your child feels like being entertained.

In cases where the ignoring behaviour is being used as a tool to get your attention, make sure that your child is getting enough positive attention from you in general.  Set time aside everyday to spend time together doing something your child enjoys, and

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>