early years Q&Awith Jo Frost Jo Frost, global parenting Step back. This allows us to look at the expert, New York Times best- whole picture – not just the child making noise and selling author, and star of popular not just the pandemonium happening around us. TV programs such as Supernanny, Actually step back so we can physically create Jo Frost: Family Matters, and some space between ourselves and the situation. Family SOS chats to Tots to Teens Carlson David Credit: bserve. Look at both sides of the coin. O then make sure there is plenty of time left over for early about some of the best ways to This allows us to listen and see, to observe the whole learning and developmental skills, as well as imaginative navigate through the toddler years. jigsaw puzzle, rather like what a first responder would and creative play. do in an emergency. It keeps us calmer as a parent It is important to remember that not everything should be and stops us from becoming emotionally entangled structured and that we also ask our children what they 1. In terms of picking your battles with in the ‘eye of the storm’, ie, the drama. Only then can would like to do. Children need time to potter around, toddlers, what do you believe are the we move to the next step … daydream … and stick sellotape around erasers and call non-negotiables? them ‘presents’ if they want to! I believe any behaviour that shows a lack of respect for Step back in. Do this with decisive action others, animals, belongings, other people’s belongings, our that teaches our children how to resolve such 4. What are your main words of environment and anything in it, are non-negotiable. So too circumstances in a healthy manner. is accepting a situation that could potentially put your child advice to parents struggling through in harm’s way. As parents who set good examples and are the toddler years? positive role models in our children’s lives, it is vital that we Everybody has moments when they feel lost. They don’t When you get really good at practising this, you can actually teach our children such standards and values. When we have the answers, they want to do right by their kid, and mentally detach yourself from the drama, because you have know that with conviction, it becomes very easy to pick they are fearful that they might screw them up somehow. I more composure and confidence. your battles. say, read people’s opinions, collect information, observe your own child. Whatever you do: make a decision. If it’s the wrong one, learn from it and don’t repeat it. 2. Can you describe your SOS 3. How can parents plan their toddler’s strategy and in what circumstances day to ensure they are getting the right No one is perfect but that’s why our children love us unconditionally – because imperfection is perfection. it should be used? balance of stimulation and relaxation? Shrug off the bad days with some adult humour, don’t take The SOS strategy is a method I have used for many, many The most effective way to plan a toddler’s day is by things so seriously that you can’t breathe. Let your hair years. I felt compelled to teach parents this technique so establishing a routine. When we have filled in the down, have fun with your kids, and be as silly as you can they could be more disciplined in their approach, eliminating cornerstones, such as lunch and nap times, we are able to because you can’t go back in time, and time creates all confusion and feelings of helplessness when they find look at our toddler’s biological rhythm (their body clock). moments that they will remember and cherish when they themselves in a situation that they find highly emotional. Based on their wake times and their overall mood, we can are adults. early years Q&Awith Jo Frost they could be more disciplined in their approach, eliminating look at our toddler’s biological rhythm (their body clock). Jo Frost, global parenting all confusion and feelings of helplessness when they find Based on their wake times and their overall mood, we can expert, New York Times best- themselves in a situation that they find highly emotional. then make sure there is plenty of time left over for early learning and developmental skills, as well as imaginative selling author, and star of popular and creative play. TV programs such as Supernanny, S - Step back. This allows us to look at the It is important to remember that not everything should be Jo Frost: Family Matters, and whole picture - not just the child making noise and structured and that we also ask our children what they not just the pandemonium happening around us. would like to do. Children need time to potter around, Family SOS chats to Tots to Teens Actually step back so we can physically create daydream … and stick sellotape around erasers and call about some of the best ways to some space between ourselves and the situation. them ‘presents’ if they want to! navigate through the toddler years. O - Observe. Look at both sides of the coin. 4: What are your main words of This allows us to listen and see, to observe the whole jigsaw puzzle, rather like what a first responder would advice to parents struggling through 1: In terms of picking your battles with do in an emergency. It keeps us calmer as a parent the toddler years? toddlers, what do you believe are the and stops us from becoming emotionally entangled Everybody has moments when they feel lost. They don’t non-negotiables in terms of certain in the ‘eye of the storm’, ie, the drama. Only then can have the answers, they want to do right by their kid, and we move to the next step … they are fearful that they might screw them up somehow. I behaviours you believe parents should say, read people’s opinions, collect information, observe never accept? your own child. Whatever you do: make a decision. If it’s the S - Step back in. Do this with decisive action wrong one, learn from it and don’t repeat it. I believe any behaviour that shows a lack of respect for that teaches our children how to resolve such others, animals, belongings, other people’s belongings, our circumstances in a healthy manner. No one is perfect but that’s why our children love us environment and anything in it, are non-negotiable. So too unconditionally - because imperfection is perfection. Shrug is accepting a situation that could potentially put your child off the bad days with some adult humour, don’t take things in harm’s way. As parents who set good examples and are so seriously that you can’t breathe. Let your hair down, have When you get really good at practising this, you can actually positive role models in our children’s lives, it is vital that we fun with your kids, and be as silly as you can because you mentally detach yourself from the drama, because you have teach our children such standards and values. When we can’t go back in time, and time creates moments that they know that with conviction, it becomes very easy to pick more composure and confidence. will remember and cherish when they are adults. your battles. 3: How can parents plan their toddler’s 2: Can you describe your SOS day to ensure they are getting the right strategy and in what circumstances balance of stimulation and relaxation? * Jo Frost is a worldwide parenting expert etc etc etc (to it should be used? The most effective way to plan a toddler’s day is by come). The SOS strategy is a method I have used for many, many establishing a routine. When we have filled in the @jo_Frost years. I felt compelled to teach parents this technique so cornerstones, such as lunch and nap times, we are able to www.jofrost.com.