Help! My Toddler Came Without Instructions

Raising children is a serious business, especially in this era of two working parents with jam-packed schedules. A helping hand can make all the difference. Just think of your life without marker on the wall and food being thrown at the worst possible moments. Nationally known parenting expert Blythe Lipman is on a mission to help parents, offering hundreds of practical tips with a dash of humor. Go from stressed-out, overwhelmed and exhausted to meltdown free and mellow! Help! My Toddler Came Without Instructions provides parents with quick solutions to help with those hair-raising toddler issues. When some new "toddler troubles" arise, grab the book, and you’ll soon be back in control and ready for whatever else your toddler might throw at you. 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Blythe to pick her brain a little about this book and her tips for parenting. Enjoy the interview below.

 

1.   Why do you think you are the perfect person to write this book?

I have had over 35 years of experience taking care of over 1000 babies, toddlers and their parents. I have used every tip in my books to help with those everyday issues that arise those first few years. And I am also a mom, so I truly understand parenting  on a personal level as well.

2.   What is your best tip for parents of toddlers?

Consistency, Consistency, Consistency. Those toddler years can be a little trying while your little bundle of joy is trying out his/her wings of independence. It’s our job as parents, to set boundaries and rules during this stage of life that not only allow our toddlers to learn about the world, but to also keep them safe. Here’s an example: If you don’t allow your toddler to walk around eating a snack and food is only eaten at the table, consistently stick to this rule even when you’re tired. Once you waiver, it’s tough to reinforce. Toddlers are really smart and have great memories!

3.   What was the biggest lesson you learned from writing this book?

Self-discipline and goal setting is the name of the game when you’re an author. When it’s time to concentrate and write, no cell phone, no home phone, no checking emails or getting a snack. When it’s time to work on a chapter, that’s the only thing that should be happening. I am a morning person and my favorite time to write is 6am-10am! So if I don’t answer the phone, please understand!

4.   What is your favorite chapter? Why?

This is such a tough question as I love all the chapters and happy that they will help so many parents.

My chapter “Toddlers Gone Wild,” comes from the same questions I’ve heard over and over. What do I do when my toddler is having a tantrum? This chapter has so many tips to help parents get things under control, tantrums shouldn’t be a problem anymore.

 “Funny Stories” just had me cracking up! And I was so grateful to the many parents who shared them.

And I love “Take Your Finger Our of Your Nose”. Toddlers are so uninhibited. While learning about the world, their antics are so innocent but hysterical. Maybe not at the time, but looking back when raising my own children, I have more than a few that we still laugh about!

Blythe Lipman is the president of Baby Instructions. She is passionate about babies, toddlers and their parents. After working in the field for over thirty-five years, she wrote her fourth award-winning book, HELP! MYTODDLER CAME WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS, now available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Audible.com and all major bookstores. You can hear Blythe's weekly radio show, Baby and Toddler Instructions each Wednesday, 11am EST @ www.toginet.com. Become her Fan on Facebook and Twitter and visit her website: http://www.babyinstructions.com.