Get practical strategies for common toddler behavior challenges like tantrums, defiance, and transitions
I need help managing a challenging toddler behavior. My toddler is [TODDLER_AGE:select:12-18 months,18-24 months,2 years old,3 years old] old. The behavior I am struggling with is [BEHAVIOR:select:tantrums and meltdowns,hitting biting or kicking,not listening or defiance,difficulty with transitions,sleep resistance,picky eating or food battles,potty training resistance,separation anxiety,sharing struggles,whining and crying for everything]. When this behavior typically happens: [WHEN_IT_HAPPENS] What I have tried so far: [WHAT_TRIED?] How I typically respond in the moment: [CURRENT_RESPONSE?] Any recent changes or stressors: [CHANGES?] (such as new sibling, starting daycare, move, etc.) My parenting approach preference: [APPROACH:select:gentle parenting,authoritative balance of warmth and structure,looking for any effective approach,need something that works in public]. Give me practical strategies for handling this behavior that are developmentally appropriate for a toddler brain, address the root cause not just the symptom, include what to do in the moment and what to do proactively, and are realistic for tired parents. Explain why the behavior is happening from a child development perspective so I can be more patient. Include specific scripts for what to say.
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Get Early AccessYour toddler just threw themselves on the grocery store floor because you would not let them hold the eggs. Or they bit their friend at playgroup. Or they scream "NO" at everything, including things they actually want. Toddler behavior can make you question every parenting decision you have ever made.
Here is what helps to know: most of it is developmentally on track. Toddlers have big feelings and tiny vocabularies. They are not being manipulative. They are being toddlers. But knowing that does not help you in the moment when you need a strategy that works.
This prompt takes the specific [BEHAVIOR], your [TODDLER_AGE] (12 months to 3 years), and [WHEN_IT_HAPPENS] to identify patterns and triggers. It explains why the behavior is happening from a brain development perspective, then gives you practical strategies that work with the toddler brain, not against it. You get in-the-moment scripts and proactive approaches to reduce triggers over time.
Paste this into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or save your strategies in the Dock Editor. For behavior challenges beyond the toddler years, the Child Behavior Guide covers ages 1 through teen. If bedtime is where battles peak, the Bedtime Routine Builder addresses sleep resistance specifically.
Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or the Dock Editor to get started.
Pick your toddler's age from [TODDLER_AGE] and select the specific [BEHAVIOR] from the list. "Tantrums and meltdowns" is different from "hitting biting or kicking." Each gets tailored strategies based on the underlying cause.
Fill in [WHEN_IT_HAPPENS] with specifics: "every morning when getting dressed" or "at the park when it is time to leave." Describe [WHAT_TRIED] and [CURRENT_RESPONSE] so the prompt builds on your experience.
Note any [CHANGES] like a new sibling, starting daycare, or a move. Toddlers process big changes through behavior. Knowing the context helps the prompt identify whether the behavior is a reaction to stress or a developmental phase.
Select [APPROACH] to align strategies with your values. The output gives you scripts for the moment and proactive strategies for the pattern. Start with one strategy. Consistency over 1 to 2 weeks matters more than trying everything at once.
Everything feels alarming when it is your first toddler. The prompt explains which behaviors are completely normal at each age, which need attention, and what the developmental timeline looks like. Knowing what to expect reduces panic.
Select "need something that works in public" for [APPROACH]. The strategies are designed for grocery stores, restaurants, and playgrounds where you are managing your child and your own embarrassment at the same time.
Choose "gentle parenting" for [APPROACH] and get strategies rooted in connection, co-regulation, and emotional validation. The scripts model the language of acknowledging feelings before setting limits.
Add "starting daycare" to [CHANGES] and describe the behavioral shift. The prompt addresses separation anxiety, exhaustion-driven meltdowns, and the adjustment period with strategies for both home and the daycare handoff.
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