Article: 2 year olds have short attention spans and can be easily distracted. That means you can often redirect them away from bad behavior simply by distracting them with the mention of something else. For example, if they raise their arm to throw a block because their tower keeps falling, try something like "Hey, let's go outside and play with that new soccer ball you got" or "I want to bake a cake for tonight. Can you help me mix the batter?" Use redirection right before they start misbehaving, or right as it begins to occur. Otherwise, it might seem like you're rewarding them for misbehavior by offering a fun alternative. Use a different form of discipline if the misbehavior is well underway. You want them to associate good behavior not only with you being happy, but also with them having fun. Describe or demonstrate the positives of the alternate activity for them. If your 2 year old refuses to clean up their toys, for example, you could suggest that you play a game to see how fast they can do things. Get out a stopwatch and time them doing a few tasks, then say "Let's see how quickly you can put these toys away." As you play your game of putting the toys away quickly, remind them why it's important to do so. If they still refuse to take part in putting the toys away, move on to another form of discipline. You can proactively redirect 2 year olds as well. If they always end up getting into trouble in your room or the laundry room, keep the doors closed to these rooms. Centralize their favorite activities in rooms with fewer temptations or distractions, like a playroom or their bedroom. Whenever you leave the house with a 2 year old, always assume that you'll need to redirect them from bad to good behavior at least once, if not multiple times. Keep your bag stocked with a rotating array of distractions that will redirect their focus when needed. For instance, if a tantrum breaks out at the grocery store when you say no to a bag of candy, pull out a favorite fruit or a container of crackers from your bag to redirect the child's hunger or desire. Keep in mind that if distractions fail, you should have a talk with your child about the rules right away.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Offer an alternate activity when they start misbehaving. Make the alternate, good behavior seem like lots of fun. Direct them away from potential problems before they happen. Be prepared with distractions when you leave the house.
Article: . Some people have a tendency to put their foot in their mouth when they are nervous. In fact, research indicates that you are more likely to make a verbal faux pas (false step) if you are already in an extremely stressful situation. Calming down can help you control your wild tongue. If nervousness makes you say things that you later regret, then take a few deep breaths to help yourself calm down. Visualize the encounter going well. Picture how calm you will be and in control of yourself and your tongue. Pause for 10 seconds before you speak to give yourself time to think about whether what you are saying is a good idea. If it still seems like a good idea to speak after these 10 seconds, then go ahead. Taking ten also allows the conversation to continue without your comment, possibly making your rude remark irrelevant by that time. Sometimes the person is waiting on your response, and 10 seconds can make for an awkward pause. At least take three seconds to consider your words before you respond. Take the time to think about something else more appropriate that you could say instead. Remember to take a 10-second pause before you post, comment or reply to things online. Make sure what you are posting isn't something that you might regret later. Take a moment to think about the effect your words could have on the other person and on the situation in general. Tap into your empathy and ask yourself, "How would I feel if someone said this to me?", or, "What feelings is this comment likely to bring up for the other person?" Realizing the embarrassment and damage you can cause with your words is one way you can learn to hold them in. Remember that words can hurt and even though they forgive you, people remember how you make them feel. The person might not say anything right then, but it could damage your relationship with him. Do you really want to upset the other person? If so, why? Even if someone has made you mad, hurting him with your words is not the way to address the situation. It could actually escalate the problem. Negativity breeds more negativity, and there's very little to gain when you complain or tear someone else down. Everyone, at one time or another, has thought something negative or mean about someone or a situation. It's natural. You can think whatever you want; problems only start once the thoughts become words that hurt other people. Control your tongue by thinking what you want, but saying only what is appropriate. Stand by the advice, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." If you can't think of anything positive to say, then just smile politely, nod, and subtly change the subject. For example, if a friend tells you she had a makeover, and all you can think of to say is that she looks like a clown, don't. Instead, smile, nod and say something like, "What made you want to change your look?"
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Calm down Take ten. Consider the consequences. Think it, don't say it.