I have a 3 1/2 and a 2 1/2 year old that take any possible chance they have to disobey. I’ve tried popping their hand, their butt…sitting them in time out…telling them “no”…taking toys away…we are out of ideas! I know they are young and like to get into trouble but they go to extremes like jumping on the table, throwing toys…no one will watch them because they misbehave so much. We are pretty strict and very consistent but apparently the kids just don’t want to behave. We give them plenty of attention and they get high fives or a treat for doing good but its almost like the PREFER to do something naughty. I feel like I’m about to pull my hair out haha! What discipline methods do you use??
#1 by NYCmommy on May 24th, 2011
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Make sure they always have something to do, keep them busy so they don’t get into trouble.
I have 6 kids, 3 of them are under 6. I have a 6 year old, a 3 year old, and a 6 month old. The baby doesn’t get into too much trouble, but the 6 and 3 year old are a naughty little pair!
#2 by boo2405 on May 24th, 2011
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I have a 2 and a half year old who knows just how to push me to the very edge of my limits! I usually use the naughty step when he miss behaves and most of the time it works-I will crouch down to his level and tell him sternly in a strong tone of voice without shouting that it is not acceptable to behave in such a way. Generally it works and a lot of the time if i ignore him totally when the bad behaviour starts he will stop before it gets to the point that i have to use the naughty step
#3 by keevelish on May 24th, 2011
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Discipline is very very different from punishment. We don’t punish our children (something that is not related to the ‘offense’ and intended to make the child pay, and feel guilty).
Discipline comes from the word disciple, and means to teach and guide.
We set boundaries for our children and give them natural and logical consequences for their actions. We make sure that we have a connected, trusting relationship so that our children trust us to set those boundaries because they know that we love them and want what’s best for them.
We don’t spank or use punitive time outs. However, we do ‘take breaks’ when a child needs to calm down and get out of the action. We can take that time to relax, and talk about what happened, how to not let it happen again, and repent and have forgiveness, and make amends.
I think that you need to take a step back and see what things are probably age-appropriate behaviors rather than outright disobedience. That’s pretty rare in a toddler, and most ‘disobedience’ is really the child being able to stop himself from disobeying. A lot of redirecting is necessary at that age, and help in transistioning to other activities.
#4 by Germunay on May 24th, 2011
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I would suggest never turn to spanking them or anything of the sort. Talking to them would be the easiest thing. You never want to talk down to them, just speak to them. Always drill the golden rule into their head, ‘treat others as you want to be treated.’ That’s really important. Be firm with them if you must, but making them fear you isn’t the answer.
#5 by Ayden HATES ppl who rprt Qs on May 24th, 2011
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when you find out please let me know cause my son is pushing 2 and he’s doing the exact same thing!!!!
#6 by Stevana on May 24th, 2011
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discipline is a way of teaching not a form of punishment. Discipline doesn’t always have to mean a bad thing.Also you could reward her for being good so she is always good
#7 by *Hoping for Baby #2* on May 24th, 2011
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In younger kids it is recommended to just redirect them to something else if they are doing something that you don’t approve of direct them to something appropriate that you do approve of. For an example if they are coloring on the wall (ahh!) take them to the table and give them a sheet of paper or coloring book to color in. Most of the time they will forget about what they were doing in the first place.
As for throwing toys, we put toys in “time out” For the first offense we take the toy away for an hour or half an hour depending on age. After the time is up we give the toy back and explain to our daughter that if she repeats the offense again (throwing, misusing the toy) we will take it away for the rest of the day. Now it has gotten to the point where we only have to warn her and she stops.
Sometimes kids act out because they want more attention. When my daughter starts acting up I give her a couple choices of what she can help mommy with. The other day for example she was just acting up like no tomorrow. I offered her the choice of helping me with the dishes or laundry. She wanted to help with both! She did a fabulous job and we read a couple books of her choice as a reward. The rest of the night was cake!
A book I recommend is How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber. It has been very helpful for my husband and me. It is easy to read and even has pictures/comic strips for examples.
I wish you the best of luck!
#8 by Funny C on May 24th, 2011
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This is the age that you need to start spanking them. Tell them what they did wrong and then spank them for about three swats and then tell them that they need to go apololigize for what they did wrong. Then, tell them you love them.