Nat chats with Liz Van Hyning, a former special education teacher, ABA therapist, and mom to 2-year-old twins, about tips and tricks to manage toddler behaviors.

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Liz Van Hyning is a former Special Education teacher and ABA therapist turned stay-at-home mom to her spunky set of 2-year-old twins. Liz uses her years of experience to guide her through the twists and turns of parenthood, specifically toddler behaviors. Today, Liz hopes to share a few tools to promote positive, healthy behaviors in the household.

Liz's 3 Pieces of Advice for Twin Parents

Routines – Establishing a predictable routine is easier said than done, so don’t be discouraged if the routine isn’t settling in right away. Routines are established through weeks and months of repetition. When established, life becomes a little bit easier and a lot less complicated. A predictable routine will come in handy when twins go from babies to toddlers. Doing the same thing every day may be boring to us, but for our children, it lowers their cortisol levels and keeps them from feeling anxious about what’s coming next. Routines establish clear expectations. Allowing parents to become a partner in the routine, rather than a dictator. Thus alleviating the power struggle of day-to-day tasks many of us face with toddlers. 

Plan individual quality time – From the moment twins are born, they are grouped together. Mostly out of convenience and survival. As they transition from baby to toddler, personality and interests explode. With so much going on during the day, one of you and two of them, you may find it challenging to devote undivided attention with each twin. Carving out a single moment to spend quality time with your children, individually, allows you to deepen your connection, strengthen your relationship and take an uninterrupted interest in something that is important to them. Busy? Try to connect with your children at bedtime. Take 5-10 minutes to read a story of their choosing or to talk about their day. It’s not the big things in life that make the most impact. It’s the little special moments when you connect with your child’s heart is what makes all the difference. 

Trust yourself – God has blessed you with these children for a reason and you are fully equipped to handle any big changes or decisions that come your way throughout their little lives. Parents have a built-in compass just like we have our conscience to offer us an innate sense of right and wrong. It’s time that we start trusting that a little bit more. Start listening to what feels good to our parenting hearts, and stop thinking so much about the “right” way or the popular way or the way that would ruffle the least feathers. Let go of some of that doubt and worry. You’re smart. You’re strong. You’re capable. You got this! 

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