Affection and rejection
Can your toddler be a little fickle when it comes to affection? One minute they want lots of cuddles and attention, but the next they are pushing you away.
It can feel like rejection, and this of course worries some parents - many feel that perhaps they are somehow to blame, or are doing something wrong.
What's this all about?
As your toddler matures they become increasingly independent as their personalities and sense of individuality develops. As such toddlers (just like adults) will vary in terms of how affectionate they are.
I think that perhaps this is in part why toddlers often become fickle at this age. Your once very cuddly little one may perhaps shrug you off when you try to hug or kiss them. Perhaps they feel that this level of affection is for ‘babies' and they now want to be seen as more grown up individuals.
How should you handle it?
Whilst this might feel like a rejection it's really important to remember that it's not. Toddlers are simply not bound by the same social norms as adults - they openly express their feelings without concern for the feelings of others.
Likewise, it's probably not that you've done anything wrong. Some children are just naturally more affectionate than others.
You may find that this is just a stage that they are going through, and that given time they will become more affectionate again.
The most important thing to do is continue to show affection - give hugs and kisses, but don't pester your toddler to give them in return. Don't' push your affection too hard on your child, as you may find that this makes them resist even more. Sometimes if you give a toddler a little space they will come to you, and someone once said ‘happiness is an expected hug‘.
Play & Pretend
Help improve your child's coordination, concentration and problem solving skills by playing with Building Blocks.
