The Happiest Toddler on the Block

It's refreshing to read Dr. Harvey Karp's book: The Happiest Toddler on the Block - The New Way to Stop the Daily Battle of Wills and Raise a Secure and Well-Behaved One- to Four-Year-Old. Here I'd capture the essentials of the book as the reference: Ten Steps Every Parent Should Know: The Basics of Raising a Happy Toddler.

1. It helps to think of your toddler as sort of a ... caveman.
   
2. Be an "ambassador" to your prehistoric little child.
3. Follow the Fast-Food Rule.
4. Speak Toddler-ese.
5. Know your toddler's temperament.
6. Keep your cool.
7. Encourage good behavior with "respect and rewards."
8. Rely on lots of time-in.
9. Use gentle discipline to steer your child's behavior in a better direction ("detour").
10. Don't be afraid to use punishments as needed ("roadblocks") such as ignoring, loss of privileges, or toddler time-outs.