How can I deal with my perfectionist preschooler?
If you feel like your child may be turning into a little perfectionist, there are a few things you can do to help.
You will need to continually reassure them no one is perfect, and we all mess up from time to time. Have a sense of humor when things go wrong. Make sure everyone has their priorities in order. You can create ways for them to practice by offering them activities you know they have not mastered and celebrating the process of getting better at it. And most importantly, watch the message you are sending when you mess something up. Children often learn their responses from what is modeled before them.
Reviewed by Dr. Kristie Rivers, September 2020
“And most importantly, watch the message you are sending when you mess something up. Children often learn their responses from what is modeled before them.” Isn’t it tough when our kids make us aware of our own faults? I think becoming a parent continuously makes my husband and I better people, as we are always aware (or becoming aware through our daughter’s behavior) of the message we’re sending and working to improve.