5 Reasons Arguing With Toddlers is Futile
Is there even a point to arguing with Toddlers? Have you ever tried arguing with a 3 ft tall drunk leprechaun? 
If you have tried to argue with an over tired toddler, then the answer is essentially yes. Yes, you have tried to argue with a drunk leprechaun.
I have in fact, compared an exhausted toddler to a drunk leprechaun before. I stand by that comparison. Especially since I have had two of them throughout the years.
Arguing with Toddlers is futile. I promise you.
5 Reasons Arguing with Toddlers is Futile
1. Linda, Linda… Listen…
This pretty much sums it up.. in a nutshell.
2. They Tune You Out
Toddlers hear you start to argue and they either argue back or completely tune you out. Even the dirt is more interesting than what you have to say at this point.
3. Toddlers are Unreasonable
There is no reasoning with a tired 2 year old. There isn’t. They are just the most unreasonable people on the face of the planet! It’s very comparable to trying to nail pudding to a tree to be honest. If you expect a 2 year old to have a reasonable debate about the benefits of wearing mittens when it’s freezing outside, then you are as bad as the pudding.
4. They Win
If you engage your Toddler in an argument, you have allowed them to win and they know it! Engaging a toddler in an argument is opening the flood gates for many more different battles that you will most certainly want to avoid.
5. YOU’RE THE PARENT
You’re the parent! Do you really think it’s beneficial to argue with some snot nosed little monster (I mean, beautiful angel) that JUST learned how to talk!? No. It’s NOT beneficial. Arguing with Toddlers is ridiculous. You must not forget, you are the parent! What you say goes.
Have you ever argued with your Toddler?
I refuse to argue with a toddler. When they start throwing fits, it’s time for a time out!
I don’t have human children, but does arguing with an 6 month old four pawed demon count? If so, then YES, I have argued with my toddler.
Great post. I think it is important to pick your battles with your toddler. Remember they don’t know how to communicate properly and get frustrated easily. I learned that giving them choices whenever possible helps so that I am not constantly saying “no” to my child.
I have “argued” with MANY toddlers trying to reason with them and often getting nowhere. (Former day care leader and toddler teacher) I totally agree that it is futile and they should be re-directed and given choices within limits and rules. Great article!
Just wait until they are teenagers it gets worse. I just tell them conversation is over and walk away.
Ha! Yes, arguing with a toddler is an exercise in futility for sure. It’s much like arguing on the Internet but at least these little guys are cute.
I laughed as I read this because I have argued with my children as toddlers; over and over and over-with futile results. LOL
YES! Arguing with a toddler is pointless. They don’t have the reasoning ability to come to a conclusion that will stop the fighting. They fixate on the issue and they can’t see a reasonable way around it. You have to help teach them reasoning, not argue because they can’t understand your point cause they really do tune you out because they are so fixated on what they want.
‘specially those terrible twos…
Amen. I am the parent and that’s what counts!
My husband came home one night to hear me arguing through the bathroom window with my then 1.5 and 3 year girls to get out of the tub…………it was 5th time asking nicely, couldn’t they hear me????!!!! He came upstairs and calmly said, “Who is the adult here? Why are you arguing with toddlers? Pick them up and remove them from the tub!”……………Wow, was he right! It was so much easier to see it through his eyes for some reason. 12 years later we have our oopsie baby boy who is now 2 and I remember that lesson VERY well.
haha! You are so right! They always win.. well most of the time. I have learned I have to try harder in putting my foot down to my almost 3 year old. She is so stubborn.
I agree! It is useless to try to explain why it is needed to take a bath if there are baby dolls to be played with.
Ha… After three kids, I know how hard it is to argue with a kid. HA! I have never had any luck at it 🙂 Thanks for sharing…
Because I said so, that’s the perfect response for a toddler. The just don’t have the ability of patience to listen to reason.
I’m all too familiar with this! I have a “threenager” and I just stopped even trying to argue with her!
I remember the toddler years. I have had a few arguments with my kids when they were little.
I listen to what my toddler has to say, but I don’t argue with any of my children. Does’t matter if they are two or eight.
This is so darn true! I used to find myself trying to use logic and reason. That’s usually a no go.
I have found myself arguing with toddlers. Lol it’s a no win battle.
Oh goodness, I do not miss those days. My daughter was the queen of toddler arguments, mostly about going to bed. That kid never napped.
When I find myself starting to argue with my 3-year old I have to remind myself that I’m arguing with a toddler, and there is no use in that.
Oh how true this is! It gets harder to remember the more tired you are, but staying firm and resisting the argument is much better in the long run.
I hate arguing with my toddler, but YES he is being a little argumentative stinker lately! He does not want to go to bed!
I have always loved that little boy. He is so stinking cute. Not if he was my kid arguing back but too cute to watch.