When toddler says no

Something Maggie has learned lately is to say “no” very empathetically. Unfortunately she seems to be saying it for things she wants when she’s got a strong opinion on the thing, and only later will realize she’s said the wrong word. This leads to much frustration.

To these ends, second guessing my toddler to prevent meltdowns has lead me to question when she’s empathetically verbally turned down something I know she wants I ask her “do you know you want it, or no, you don’t want it?”

I’ve done this same phrase a few times now when I’m pretty sure her no means yes, it’s lead to a cool-down and thinking period where she realizes that something may have been said that was wrong.

The same phrase I think is allowing her to realize I’m questioning without confronting. Or maybe not. I don’t know, it’s working for me at the moment.

I’m sure this is going to devolve into a thing at some point, but at least for now I’m avoiding confrontation because she doesn’t know what she was asking for.

Other than that, just a happy toddler toddling toddily.