Ways to De-Stress Your Toddler

Toddlers are just as prone to stress as adults, but the younger the child is, the less they are going to understand what is going on. Which will probably make them even more stressed out, and that is just the beginning of a very long day for everyone.

As a parent, it can sometimes be hard to know what to do in this instance because your child cannot communicate what they feel or what would make them feel better. So it is up to us moms and dads to try and fix it! *superhero pose*

Many different things work for many different kids, but here are some things that work for my toddler and me:

Taking a Nap

Children can get very easily stressed out when they are tired, so sometimes all they will need is a nap. There are also different things you can try to get them relaxed enough to fall asleep. A dark, quiet room can usually do the trick, but if this doesn’t work, don’t sweat it! You can try laying down with them, playing some soothing music, or even taking them for a relaxing drive in the car.

Movie Time

If your toddler no longer takes naps or is not tired enough for one, try having movie time with them. Turn off as many lights as you are comfortable with; the more light and sound that is happening, the more riled up your child is bound to get. So try to make the room dark and turn on one of their favorite movies. Then make a snack and cuddle up on the couch! This works great for relaxing the child, as well as just getting in some quality time.

Dance Party

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Grab your little one, turn up some music that they like, and get down! Show them how you used to dance when you were a kid, try out their dance moves, and sing along to their favorite songs. It is sure to be a great time for all of you!

Going Outside

Getting outside in the sun is a great way to burn up all of that stressed out energy within your toddler. You can try going for a relaxing walk in a stroller or hand in hand with your little one. Maybe have some quiet time or even ask them what they see while they are outside and what they like about it.

If your child is into sports, try going outside to play their favorite sport. My daughter is very into soccer right now, so whenever she is having a rough time we will go to the backyard and kick the ball around for a while. Ball or no ball, playing outside is a great way to brighten a child’s mood and get in their daily exercise.

Bath Time

Adults do it all the time; a warm relaxing bath at the end of a long day. So why wouldn’t this also work for a toddler? If your little one is into the quiet and relaxing baths, try putting on some slow music and letting them sit in the warm water. If your child likes to play in the bath, that’s fine too! Throw some toys in there and let them just have a blast. Relaxing and getting clean, it’s a win-win!

Massage

Yes, children can get massages too. Maybe not by a professional, but a massage given by mom or dad can have great benefits. Massages are a great way to just breathe and relax. It feels good and has health benefits as well for both toddler and mom.

Sensory Objects

Giving your toddler something else to focus on can be a good way to help them forget about how they are feeling. Try making a sensory board or table, and you can even use things around your house. Find things with different textures for them to play with, something soft, rough, wet, or sticky. The kids love it! Blowing bubbles is another great sensory game for toddlers to play.

Creativity

Creating something usually makes people feel good about themselves and what they have accomplished. You can set out paper and crayons or markers. If you are prepared for it, paint can be fun for them too. Finding things that they can glue down onto their paper is also fun and you can use some sensory objects as well!

When children are creating something, there are some important things for parents to remember. You must let go of your ideal creative time and let the toddler just have fun and use their imagination. It might get a little messy, but giving your child the confidence to be creative and happy is worth it!

The most important thing to remember when you have a stressed-out toddler is for yourself to stay as stress-free as possible. Take some deep breathes yourself and get to work! Having fun with your kids while simultaneously helping them is one of the greatest parts of parenthood, enjoy it!

Photo Cred: Amy Hatch - She Knows