When Your Toddler Outsmarts You

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In This Week’s Newsletter:

• Quote of The Week - "A child seldom needs a good talking to as a good listening to." - Robert Brault

• Javaree Talks - Outsmarted or Exploring?

• In the News: Parenting Has Changed- How Grandparents Can Adapt, Connect, and Stay Involved.

• Good on Social - Support for our daughters

• Money Moves - Use Monarch to monitor your spending and your networth

JAVAREE TALKS 

I remember this one time my 4-year-old pulled a move I didn’t see coming. We were getting ready for bed, and I said, “Ok, one more book.”

He smiled, hopped up, then grabbed PAW Patrol 5-Minute Stories Collection is a book with multiple stories. It would take over 30 minutes to go cover to cover. 

It was one of those moments that made me pause, feeling both impressed and mildly defeated. Toddlers have a unique way of catching us off guard. They’re not being defiant, they’re just learning how the world works and how we work. They're constantly testing boundaries, not to make our lives harder, but to gain a deeper understanding of them.

So, what can you do when your toddler shows their cleverness?

• Remember: they’re not trying to make your life harder or night longer. They’re trying to understand limits and sometimes push past them. It’s less about misbehavior, likely more about research.

• Kindly clarify the boundary by saying something like “I said one book, and that still means one story tonight. We can save the others for another night.” Stay firm but calm. You’re not “losing,” you’re modeling self-regulation and fairness.

• Ask yourself whether the limit is clear and understandable. Did they understand it? Sometimes, they’re not being sneaky, they’re just being kids navigating gray areas.

When we meet our kids’ cleverness with curiosity and consistency, we strengthen both the relationship and the boundary. They learn that rules exist, but that their voice and problem-solving skills also have a place.

Has your child ever “outsmarted” you? Share your stories and advice in the comments below. We're all in this together!

IN THE NEWS

GOOD ON SOCIAL

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MONEY MOVES

One of the most important things a dad can do for a family is take control of his finances. Tracking your income, spending, and investments provides peace of mind and relief, setting a strong foundation for your family’s future.

I use Monarch to stay on top of everything. It’s a game-changer for organizing finances, budgeting, and long-term planning. It’s empowered me to create a system that works for my family, and I highly recommend it.

💡 Special offer for my readers: Use my code HERE for 1 free month of Monarch.💡 (Note: I may receive a commission if you join through my link—thanks for supporting the newsletter!)

Q & A CORNER

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