Teaching Independance

[kidlove]

have you tried moving this guy to a cot or floor sleep, perhaps he needs to be given a little more independence?

[Skysue]

I have had a child like that as well, so for me I usually motivate through peers. I ask my 5 year old to go into the nap room and read and play with the kids while I get snack ready.

[gcj]

I'm usually ALL about independance and not allowing them to manipulate in ANY way.......but in this case, I think he's just 2, he just woke up....I don't see the big deal. I'd do like kidlove and just place him beside his playpen. As long as he's in a playpen, he's not being told he's a big kid, so he's enjoying a little perk perhaps...sometimes I feel like I have to be dragged out of bed, too

If your back is an issue, then he's definitely big enough to be on a mat and problem solved!

[kidlove]

agree completely gcj. we pick our battles in this job...i do understand it bothers you bookworm, I have a nephew who is VERY spoiled and he too, will sit, sometime lay in the crib and wait for me to pick him up. Sometimes I will others I pull him up to the side and say "out"? he puts up his arms and I lift him out. I do agree that IF he stays in a crib he is very likely to keep up the "baby like" behavior....first, talk to mom and dad about what they do at home, next....move him to the floor or cot and let him know he is now a big kid. on a cot, when it is wake up time you can go in and say to him..."time to get up, come out when you are ready".....he will if he wants to take part in the day!

[Inspired by Reggio]

The challenge with two year olds is that they swing between needing interdependence and needing independence ... aka sometimes they want to be 'big' and do it themselves and other times they still want to feel that they need you ... my guess would be that just upon waking it would be natural to want to be a little more interdependent ... I know when I wake up I like to snuggle my man for a bit before we get up ~ this behavior is likely no different he wants to be snuggled a bit as he wakes up and is motivated enough to just lay there until that need is met!

I have a few who when they wake up just want to come and sit on my lap on the couch ~ some of them are 4 and still needing that extra babying so to speak!