Your 22 month old

Does your toddler insist on climbing into his own car seat or pull things out of your hand? He'll fight harder now than ever to explore the world on his own terms. Strong opinions and rigidity are hallmarks of toddlerhood. You can avoid a tug of war by respecting your toddler's preferences and giving in on the little things. Letting him choose which jam to use on toast or which pyjamas to wear to bed will give him the sense of control he craves. The secret is to give him only options that are acceptable to you. That doesn't mean you should become a pushover to prevent tantrums. It's important that you make it clear that some things -- like behaviours that affect safety -- are not up for negotiation.