7 Best Signs That Your Toddler Craves for Attention
How is parenting so far? Each child is different, but parenting is not a child’s play. Dealing with toddlers is as hectic as it can get, leaving you heavy with emotions and drained. These unpleasant experiences might leave you bleeding and imposing misleading rules, which I have covered here.
When parenting multiple toddlers, you will likely “forget” some toddler(s). Forgetting about the toddler(s) means giving them inadequate attention.
Pay close attention to these seven clear signs that show that your toddler needs attention. Without wasting time, let’s get into these attention-seeking signs in toddlers:
1. Non-Stop Whining
Have you ever dealt with a “whiny” toddler? A whiny toddler wakes up and chooses to be a mess. These toddlers will cry uncontrollably, throw tantrums, and become anything that qualifies as a “mess”. The more you soothe them, the more jittery they get.
If your toddler has no underlying condition but is whining, they could subtly scream, “I need your attention! L-I-S-T-E-N T-O M-E!”
A toddler whose speech is not fully developed will get fussy, crying at any slight touch when you talk to or scold them.
On the other hand, a toddler who can talk will complain about everything and anything. They will complain that their coffee is too cold, warm, hot, and everything. As a parent, don’t ignore these cues because they tell you that your baby needs your attention.
2. Licking You
This might sound cringe, but it is normal for babies to lick the people they crave their attention so much. Your toddler could lick you while you binge-watch your favourite show- wait, do these Cocomelon addicts ever allow you to watch anything apart from their “show”? I digress.
When your baby starts to lick you out of nowhere, it means that they are craving your attention. Occasionally, they compliment how your skin looks flawless as they take a nibble of your flesh. Other times, they will simply pinch you while complimenting how your make-up is on point.
As a father, your toddler could pull your beard or caress it while telling you how great it feels.
As a wise parent, return to your senses that your toddler needs the attention they deserve.
3. Hitting Sibling
Has your toddler ever hit their sibling, and you were left shocked? Why did it happen, and how did it happen so fast?
At times, toddlers can be cheeky or bullies. This makes it hard for parents to differentiate between cheekiness and a cry for attention.
If your toddler can express themselves well, politely ask them why they hit their toddler. It would surprise you to learn that they hit their sibling because you did not give them adequate attention.
When you deny your toddler adequate attention, they resort to soliciting it by all means. By hitting their sibling, they are 100% sure you will react. As a parent, you should not jump into hitting your toddler back as a punishment.
You would be surprised to hear your toddler say, “Dad/Mom, you are always playing with Lucky and not me.”
4. Asking for a Cuddle
“M-O-M-M-Y, M-O-M, can I get a cuddle?”
As a parent, never ignore your toddler’s call for cuddling. Cuddling your baby is therapeutic and improves their emotional development, according to a ResearchGate publication.
Cuddle your baby as often as possible, as long as they are comfortable with it. Cuddling your child also boosts their confidence, making them face any challenge head-on.
Make it a norm to cuddle and hug your baby whenever they ask. Through cuddling, your baby is also likely to open up about any fears and concerns they could be facing.
Is your child being bullied by their peers, sibling, or another person? Cuddle them, and they will tell you.
5. Insistently Calling You
“Mommy, M-o-m-m-y, D-a-d, Dad!” is a common language that you should be prepared for when a baby starts talking. At this age, babies are adventurous, and they always want you to be part of it.
Do they know how to put on back pants after using the potty? Do they know how to fix their toys? Did they just sit on the couch without any assistance? They want you to be part of this milestone, however minute it seems to you. Don’t ignore this call. They want you to see that they are “grown”.
When you hear your toddlers yelling your name, don’t ignore them; they need you to be part of their growth. Toddlers need your attention, so they keep calling your name out loud.
As they grow up, the calls will be fewer, and you will cherish the good old days they clung to you.
6. Following You Around
Have you realized that babies have a habit of following people around? You could walk to the washroom, but your baby decides, “No, not until you get there with me!”
It is common for babies who need your attention to follow you everywhere you go.
My baby boy has a habit of waking up an hour before I leave for work. He will scream as if something stung his skin when he sees “daddy” is about to leave him.
Should you ignore your toddler when they keep following you around?
As a parent, you might feel your toddler is too clingy and doesn’t let you breathe. While this is a valid concern, you should never brush them off.
Explain to your toddler in the simplest language they can understand why they need to give you some space. With time, they will understand why you need some “me” time away. However, still keep in touch with them.
7. “Will you play with me?”
“D-A-D, D-A-A-A-D!!, M-O-M-M-Y, will you play with me?” are statements that you should get used to as a parent. Babies don’t understand when you are tired, hungry, broken, angry, bored, or in pain. To them, you are their superhero who should always be there when they need you. Your toddler will occasionally ask you to play with them, especially when they feel you have neglected them.
Bottomline
From the seven cues, we have identified cues of attention-seeking in toddlers; as parents, we spoil them with attention, and they will forever reciprocate the same. As I always say, parenting is a work in progress; you must keep learning, unlearning, and relearning.