TulipGirl

More mommy-inspiration to share — this time focused on the toddler years. One of the things that has helped me most with my toddlers and preschoolers is understanding child development. These links are ones that have encouraged me as well as helped me understand my little disciples.

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Problem Children / You’ve Got to be Kidding!: Practical ideas for encouraging strong sibling bonds, especially when a new baby is coming.

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Zero to Three: This site focuses on child development through the first three years, especially brain development. When I understood brain myelination, it made sense why sometimes my bright toddlers could respond quickly to my instructions and other times were slower to respond. It wasn’t an issue of “obedience” but rather the way their developing brains could sometimes quickly convey messages and other times be slow.

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Parenting Freedom – Attachment Through the Years: “We believe the parent/child attachment is parallel to God’s relationship with us. Does it make sense that the more time we spend in prayer, in study of the Scriptures, and in fellowship with God’s family, the easier it is to do what is “right”? The closer the bond, the less room for sin. The parent/child relationship is more important than all the parenting skills in the world.”

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Restoring Gently and Carrying Burdens: “What does “restoring gently” look like? Luther explains, “when they see that those persons are sorrowful for their offenses, they should begin to raise them up again, to comfort them, and to mitigate their faults as much as they can—yet through mercy only, which they must set against sin, lest those who have fallen are swallowed up with depression.” And “. . .gently, and not in the zeal of severe justice.””

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Discipline Ideas for Toddlers: Some practical ideas for the nitty-gritty situations we and our toddlers face.

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Recommended Reading: A review of books that many mothers find helpful. Read with discernment.

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Potty Training: Rebecca writes one of the most common-sensical articles about potty-training. Mine were all past that stage when I read this, but it’s realistic and low-key — which is what we need when we have toddlers who are ready for big boy skivvies!

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This post is part of the Ezzo Week(end) 2008 series, raising awareness about the concerns with the parenting “philosophy” promoted by Gary Ezzo.