Mornings with a bathroom-stalling toddler can feel like a race against time. Here's a trick that worked for me: turn the whole routine into a game. Picture this—your little one is brushing their teeth, deciding they've turned into a statue. Well, now you're the timekeeper of the fastest bathroom dash—or that's what you tell them.
To start, set a timer on your phone for two minutes and say, "Let's see if we can beat yesterday's time!" (I use the Kitchen Timer app, but a regular egg timer works too). It's amazing how the sound of a ticking clock can motivate little feet.
Why Do Toddlers Stall?
It seems counterproductive, right? But bathroom stalling is often about control. Toddlers are starting to understand they have choices, and sometimes they choose to slow things down. Sometimes it's as simple as wanting your attention or, actually, they're just curious about how long they can stand on one foot.
Try This:
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The Speed Challenge: Encourage racing to the next task.