2Yr Old Problems!!

Hi C.,
I think you and I have very similar children... I was having a terrible problem with my son a few months ago, I couldn't get him to take any kind of discipline seriously. I am not a spanker and will not raise a hand to any child, but he was driving me to the edge. I had tried time outs and taking away toys, and tried to be as consistent as possible. I found a great book "Taming the Spirited Child: Strategies for Parenting Challenging Children Without Breaking Their Spirits" By Michael H. Popkin, Ph.D. This book really put my child's personality into the puzzle and helped me find ways to cope with his behaviour. Also I agree with one of the other posts, positive feedback works wonders. Also if my son is being naughty he is usually just looking for attention, so I take some time and we do something distracting like coloring and he forgets what he was into before hand. Good luck to you and don't give up! You are certainly not alone :)

There are two methods of discipline that used together work well for me. ( I have a home Daycare) Anyways positive reinforcement when your child doesnt the right thing saying things like "Good Boy and Thank you" to him tend to get a really good response and when he does something negative telling him for example "We dont throw toys it can hurt the other kids" if he does it again then tell him he has "quiet time" and when he feels like he is ready to rejoin the group and play nicely he can. Generally the "quiet time" ends within a minute or so and they come back to the group happy and of course not throwing toys.

Have you tried 1-2-3-magic ? There is a book and a video about it. It was recommended to me by a therapist, and I found it to be quite effective. I have seen the book in Barnes and Nobles. You could probably find it on line too. Good luck - I know that is a very frustrating place to be. :)

I don't have any advice for you but I certainly need to hear what others have to say to you as I have the SAME exact problem with my daughter. She tries my patience and she is constantly laughing when I discipline her but when my husband tells her something she is right there listening.. if you find any tips that I could use, let me know! :)

Unfortunately I don't have any advice but I just wanted to let you know you're not alone!

My son is 2 years old and also thinks it's funny when I discipline him and responds better at times to his father.

My son has always been big for his age, and he's very strong! It's taken four people at the doctor's office before to hold him down to clean his ears and that was a year ago!

So needless to say it's a struggle to do anything with him, get him to brush his teeth, sit to eat his food, etc. He throws himself kicking and screaming if he doesn't get his way. Time out doesn't seem to be working and I don't believe in beating. Nothing seems to phase him.

I'm hesitant alot of times to even leave the house because of the tantrums he has. I'm lost as well!

My 3 yr old was the same way! All I can say is DONT give up & DONT give in! Stay firm with him and it will pay off! GOOD LUCK!!