Miss Poppy: Time To Go Home!
 They're the perfect daughters...until it's time to go home. Then they turn into little monsters! Raisingkids.co.uk guest expert and super nanny Elaine Addison, offers tips to a stressed-out mum.
Raisingkids Member's Question
I have two delightful toddler girls (ages 3 and 2). We enjoy lovely outings to the park, friends' houses and tumble tots...until it's time to leave...and then all hell breaks loose and they turn into little monsters who scream, shout and sit down on the floor refusing to go. They gang up on me, so when one starts playing up, the other one joins in and it's very difficult to physically pick both of them up along with assorted rucksacks, shoes, coats and toys in an escape attempt. What can I do to entice them to leave peacably?
Miss Poppy's Reply
I do sympathise with your situation – in fact I can picture the scene very clearly indeed. Both your girls are testing boundaries – seeing how far they can go by pushing all your buttons. It’s time for you to set a few simple rules in order for them to know the boundaries and how far they can go.
Actions have consequences...
What you need to do is teach your older daughter that there are consequences for her behaviour. Unfortunately it will be harder for your younger daughter to understand but she’ll soon get the gist of how things work. Before you set of for one of your activities sit both girls down and explain to them that if they refuse to leave by creating an enormous fuss like they did last time, then they will not be allowed to go next time and will have to stay at home. Follow through with this when the following day they ask to go to the park or which ever class you may have scheduled. Sit them both down and say that it’s cancelled due to their bad behaviour after class yesterday. Once your older daughter realises you are serious and mean business by not allowing her to go to these fun events, her behaviour should change.
Distract and conquer
Have you tried quick distraction methods? Simple challenges such, as first one to gather all their belongings and be ready to go is the winner. Or let's see if I can count to 60 by the time you get all your things ready to leave. Take an egg timer with you and see if they can be all ready to go by the time the sand falls through. Keep snacks and juice for afterwards when they are all packed up and ready to go as this may entice them to get a move on.
Keep a star or sticker chart at home to help encourage them to behave better. Write down all the classes, outings etc. that they attend and if after each event they leave calmly they can go home and choose a sticker or a star to add to their chart. You could also try inviting a friend from the class back to play for an hour after the class or suggest a trip to the park with the friend so they both feel the fun can continue. This may help the transition run smoother.
Hang in there! It's just a phase they're both going through - they will grow out of it!
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