"This is dripping with impatience. Children need patience from their big people, and lots of it, so they feel safe in finding their way and really, in just existing," Dr. Lapointe outlined. When I'm running around the kitchen trying to get dinner on the table before my lovely toddler suddenly turns into a rageing hungry-monster, I can forget to use more carefully selected words. Even a simple, "Excuse me, please," can help teach them manners, and let them know they're worth our energy and love. Additionally, consider suggesting that they play elsewhere, with phrases like, "Can you go to your art easel and draw me a picture of a dinosaur?" or, "Please help set the table."