Constant runny nose? Permanently grubby hands? Allergic to baths? If you have a nightmare trying to keep your little guy or girl groomed, read on as help is at hand…
There are many things that matter to your toddler, from the wellbeing of his favourite teddy to whether Thomas is going to run off the track and what’s for tea. But one thing you can guarantee is he won’t be so bothered about a runny nose, paint-splattered hands or hair full of mashed biscuit. Trouble is, it’s important to you that your little one is clean and presentable. So just why can things like hand-washing and baths send your toddler into meltdown?
“A child can get easily worried or anxious if he feels a situation is out of his control,” explains Dr Nadja Reissland, senior lecturer in psychology at Durham University. “Toddlers are also extremely sensitive. If you’re dreading something like bathtime, they can pick up on your stress and react to it. They key is to stay calm and make it fun.”
Here’s our top tips for how to deal with 7 messy situations, so that you can turn trauma into tidiness from his head to his toes.
