I’m a childcare expert and this is why you should never tell your toddler you’re leaving if they won’t do what you say
PARENTING HACKS always come in handy.
But one childcare expert has revealed that one well known hack could cause long-term damage to your children.
Deena, a toddler expert from the TikTok channel, Big Little Feelings, revealed that telling your child you will leave with out them could have consequences.
In the video, which has gone viral with over 100k views, she explains why.
Responding to a users question who asked: “Why shouldn’t I say ‘bye ok I’m leaving without you then’ when my kids won’t leave the park? It works.”
Deena understood that many parents used it to get their child to leave when they need to get home.
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She said: “We’ve all been here.
“You start walking away, your toddler ignores you your toddler starts to look up form time to time.
“okay BYEEE.
“Your toddler screams ‘NO’ and runs, sobbing to the parent.
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“Sure, it worked, you’re leaving the park, but you know what also happens?
“You just told your toddler that if they are not obedient you might leave them one day.”
She explained that this parenting method could cause abandonment issues, that’s your toddler’s worst nightmare, losing you.
Deena offered an alternative method to get your kid’s to leave when you want them to in a healthier way.
She suggested saying: “You’re having so much fun, it’s hard to leave, it’s time to go home now, would you like to walk or be carried? You choose.”
If this doesn’t work she recommends adding: “Leaving is hard I’m going to help you.”
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She said you may have to literally carry them to the car and that they might be really upset, ‘which is okay because you’re going to help support them through their feelings.’
Many parents commented how they had tried the old-school parenting method themselves, and hated how it made their children feel.
One wrote: “I did this once and the look of fear and sadness on my daughters face I will never do it again.
“I have done this to my kid in moments of frustration and I regret it deeply. I stopped.” Added another mum.
Other parents shared their own hacks to get their children to leave, and many said preparing them beforehand or distracting them worked wonders.
One suggested: “Also give them a heads up that you’re going to leave soon. “Hey we’re going to leave in 5 minutes and then we’re going to leave in 2 minutes” etc.”
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“Also, LETS SEE WHO GETS TO THE CAR FIRST. Works every time and no tears.” Another mum claimed.
A third mum wrote: “Do you want to listen to Elsa or Rapunzel in the car? What kind of snack do you want to eat when we get home? Get them to focus on what’s next.”