Breakthroughs and Mega-dribble

I had a bit of a breakthrough the other night. Ember is hitting the 'twos' at the moment and tends to get frustrated very quickly which results in mini squealy strops. This can be anything from not being able to get her toy duck into a jar to Mummy not being able to guess first time what shape her toast should be! Anyway the strops are *very* annoying. So, the night of the duck incident, I put on my best teacher/Super nanny voice (firm but kind) and said something along the lines of:
"Now listen. You do not need to make silly noises and get cross. Just slow down, think about what you are doing and if you can't do it, say 'Please help Mummy' and I will."

Anyway, the strop immediately stopped, she said 'OK Mama' and then tried the duck again, saying 'Slowly' to herself, and managed successfully. A few minutes later she said "Please help Mama" when she couldn't do something else.

A couple of nights later we had a similar incident when I asked her if she wanted her toast in triangles and she threw herself on the floor and cried (oh the melodrama of being almost 2!!). I repeated the firm voice with similar phrasing and she stopped and said "Squares" quite calmly! I shall keep on with this method! Also gave her lots of praise for being good and clever :)

I think she's getting another tooth at the moment as last night she was dribbling so much that her bed was soaked. I had to sneak in and tuck a towel under her head once she was fully asleep! I was expecting a wakeful night, but she slept through thank goodness. Poor thing, those molars are nasty.

I've become fully immersed with the Raglan Community Theatre which is fun, but I'll write more about that another time as otherwise I'll miss my carpool!!