Tantrum Control
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Sometimes I ask my son to do something and he immediately deflects with "mommy, hug!" I say " X first then hug". He does whatever task then i give him a good long hug and praise him for listening to what I asked. The first few times it was a struggle but has gotten better with repetition
No more demanding. Hug is like a total reset and most of the time he becomes much more agreeable after he's calmed down
So I do do hugs as a reward when it's something I ask like you're saying @Sarah. This is more like he's not getting want he wants so instead he demands a hug.
My little boy does this sometimes after he’s told off. If I do a firm “no!” to get him to stop when he hasn’t listened the first or second time he was asked, he will usually stop and then ask for a hug. I think he doesn’t like being told off and wants to be nice and connected again if that makes sense?
@Aoife yes 100% that's what it feels like. He's still very clingy to me 😞
I just give him a hug and move on. I think at this age they just want to please their mama and keep us happy and be helpful, he wants to help with cleaning and make me pretend cups of tea and we’ve even managed to potty train at 22konths because he gets a big clap when he pees in potty and he would do anything for the praise 🤪😂
@Aoife haha yes! I potty trained both my kids before 2. So much easier without any power struggle. Ok that makes me feel better about hugging him. I felt like I was rewarding his crying but it seems more just comfort and rebonding.
Sounds like hugs help him regulate. Does he continue to demand what he wants even after a hug?