Podcasts · Toddlers Made Easy with Dr Cathryn
Why Your Toddler Resists Everything (And What to Do About It)
· 11 min
Episode Why Your Toddler Resists Everything (And What to Do About It)
Struggling with toddler resistance? This episode breaks down why your child says "no" to everything and how to work with their natural instincts instead of against them.
What You'll Learn
• What the "You-Can't-Make-Me" reflex is and why it's actually healthy • Why toddler brains react with automatic resistance • Common triggers (commands, transitions, feeling rushed) • What makes things worse (power struggles, taking it personally) • Practical strategies for daily routines
Key Takeaways
• The reflex is developmental, not defiance • Invite cooperation instead of demanding it • Connection is the strongest antidote to resistance • Stay calm and confident—you're the CEO • Give choices to preserve their sense of control
Quick Tips
• Replace commands with invitations • Give transition warnings • Pause when resistance peaks • Use collaborative language • Fill their connection tank with one-on-one time
Resources
Toddlers Made Easy
Help! My Child Will Only Poop In A Diaper Waitlist
Toddlers Made Easy, the book
SPONSORS
Acorns Early
Kidsy
RESOURCES Toddlers Made Easy online course
Potty Training Made Easy online course
Help Your Child Fall Asleep Independently mini-class
Toddlers Made Easy book
200 Big-Hearted Scripts
FREE GUIDE: 5 Must-Dos Before Starting Potty Training
And don’t forget to follow Dr. Cathryn on Instagram.
Links in the notes 11
- https://www.healthiest-baby.com/because-parenting-is-hard-lets-make-it-easier
- https://www.healthiest-baby.com/help-my-child-will-only-poop-in-a-diaper-fbb73dc8-79ff-49e6-ab21-5aa071952a80
- https://www.healthiest-baby.com/Toddlers-Made-Easy-Book
- https://www.acorns.com/early/
- https://kidsy.co/
- https://www.healthiest-baby.com/potty-training-made-easy-1-17844fb3-a66e-4e07-a9c0-ed50f5b289c6
- https://www.healthiest-baby.com/fall-asleep-without-you
- https://www.amazon.com/Toddlers-Made-Easy-Become-Parent/dp/0593844297/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QISUH3PL80NG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.B8DQl547MLPPcB2Ox9jfxY-lwuy0yAJwoaG-Jq5Yz_giHR8A3uwOyqVfN3LNc7DPXcQBAvRUeWzOTuR7MnoOv1aCaH6Ax6qBWC-m682EBwifDIJ4TqRvJ2EC_FcJIr0SDIaVe8nUrF385p-wBrM08RVK64qksV3Fku9AnEsQ3L0hSp_fVk62Lv2Nwd9F6xHsZ_3cmjsNnvjxFq3FLIWIU9EnTJ6D3oWkZbb0apWMEno.LrD4381GqnOCvd90rhKRy1cmiqcbUHT9WBNSmuTIVx0&dib_tag=se&keywords=toddlers+made+easy&qid=1785179738&sprefix=toddlers+made+easy%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1
- https://www.healthiest-baby.com/words-that-work
- https://www.healthiest-baby.com/5-ways-to-make-potty-training-easier
- https://www.instagram.com/healthiest_baby/
Transcript
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