You Can't Reason with a Toddler

As someone who deals with kids on the daily, I can tell you the following: You can't reason with a toddler.  Don't get me wrong...I fully believe that a whole lot of two year olds can grasp exactly what you're talking about when you tell them to stop doing something.  Of course they can.  They're choosing to continue their behavior because they're learning independence and testing their limits.  It's normal.  With that being said, trying to explain to a toddler why they can't do something is like trying to explain to a cow why they can't eat grass....you can talk all day long but it will do no good.  Realistically even if the toddler can understand you, they've tuned you out about three words in because they're focusing on what they can do next.  Until a certain age, it is perfectly acceptable to just say "no" when they're doing something dangerous.  It's acceptable to not answer a "why" question when they're doing something they KNOW they're not supposed to do and you tell them "no."  It doesn't make you a bad parent.  It gives them a clear understanding that there are certain things that are just no-no's period.  You don't owe them an explanation.  You don't owe them some sort of rundown....they're just not acceptable.  Just bear that in mind as you go about your day when you're dealing with your toddler.  It's okay to just say no.