When babies (toddlers) have a bad day..........

When my little ones ( one-two year olds) have a bad day, it is not fun for anyone! Today was no exception. The really sad thing is that they don't really understand why they are having a crabby day. Sometimes they are just tired and cranky, or they are not feeling well, they don't know why they are not playing nicely with their friends or why the adults caring for them don't understand what they need, want or are going through. Not having words to express what they are feeling does not help much either. It is hard to help them resolve what is bothering them or agitating them when we don't know what the problem is. They are hard to comfort in this situation. The only thing that helps is to be comforting, caring, loving and patient and at the same time, give them some time and space to express themselves without letting them endanger themselves and others. 

Today, for example, one of my little guys was having a really tough day. He cried a lot throughout the day, any little thing would start him off crying. He was constantly having conflicts with his classmates and easily agitated by them. At nap, he was exhausted but fought tooth and nail to go to sleep. He tossed, turned, flung his body around and cried at the top of his lungs! I'm surprised the kids around him went to sleep with all the noise he made! It took me just holding him for a good 30 minutes holding him, rocking him and gently whispering to him (despite him not wanting me too) to calm him enough for him to finally fall asleep in my arms. I'm not quite sure why he was so upset, but it was definitely not usual for him to act this way (even if he was having a bad day! usually he just fusses.)

It was a tough day but in the end, he was okay. I realized that what he needed from me most was to just be there for him, comfort him, be patient with him, redirect him during testy moments with his classmates and lots of TLC! It is a wonderful feeling being able to be there for a child in need of comfort and care (even if you have no clue what is going on in their tiny little heads.)