My Favorite Toddler Books

My toddler is energetic, rambunctious, kind, loving, crazy, tantrum filled, giggly, goofy, cuddly, and funny. His emotions can change at the drop of a hat. His highs are super high and his lows are super low. 

Starting at 18months tantrums were a regular. 

Because he is so spirited and smart he had a lot of emotions and things he wanted to do that he just couldn't express, which lead to major meltdowns and tantrums. 

I'm happy to say we moved past those....they still happen....but they are few and far between. Or we BOTH handle them much differently now. 

I knew I needed help on how to understand him and get these tantrums under control. I didn't want to be to rigid with him and cause shame, but I also didn't want HIM to rule the house. He needed healthy boundaries but he also needed help learning to express emotion and I needed to be the one to guide him. 

As every mother (new or seasoned) knows...you are always needing help! Every child, experience, situation is different!  I've been asked by a couple friends what I do to discipline, set boundaries, etc with Mason and so I thought I would share my go to books with you! 

( If you have any books you love I would love to hear your suggestions as well! )

So here they are: 

1. The Happiest Toddler on The Block 

by: Harvy Karp

 This book is awesome!!! It totally helped me communicate with Mason on his level, it also helped teach me to LISTEN to his feelings first, acknowledge them, and then do the "but"- Mason it's time to go. 

LOVE love this book. (this book helped me almost get rid of the tantrums :) 

2.  Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child

by: John Gottman

This is an amazing book for children at any age!!! ( That included teenagers! Cause they are kind of like toddlers!) 

This one doesn't deal as much with how to handle "tantrums, etc" but it helps you to teach your children how to handle/understand and recognize their emotions, how to build confidence, how to express feelings and feel validated, And  help them learn how to solve problems or deal with upsetting situations. 

One of Sam's professors helped contribute some of the research for this book and I was able to attend a short class with him where he taught the spouses of the students about emotional intelligence, and how important it is in our lives, in our overall health and well being, and how well we can communicate and succeed in this world. He really stressed that every parent should read this book and practice emotional intelligence with our children. 

I hope these may help some of you. I know how challenging parenting is and I only have a 2 year old for crying out loud. But we are the ones who mold and shape these little souls so why not take any advice you can get?! Happy Parenting y'all! And any advice I would love to hear it!