Disciplining My 2 Year Old Boy

Oh boy, 2 is so much fun, lol! All I can say is BE CONSISTENT. Even if it doesn't seem to be working, even if time-outs seem to go no where. Just keep doing the same thing over and over and over and over.

You need to react to a bad behavior (spitting in a drink, pulling hair, etc.) the same exact way EVERY TIME and make sure dad or grandma or the sitter is doing the same. If you just keep doing it over and over and over and over- it will EVENTUALLY sink it. It honestly just takes a long time.

Also, any consequence, a time out, or taking away a toy or not allowing a treat like a movie or a cookie- needs to happen IMMEDIATELY. No 'just wait until your father gets home' - that works for older kids who can anticipate and have time to worry about it. For a little one, the consequence needs to take place RIGHT AFTER THE BAD BEHAVIOR- or their brain simply does not 'connect' the two things.

A time out can take place in a chair, a pack n play a room. It can just mean having to sit on the rug without a toy for 2 minutes. Just keep doing it - I know it seems like it isn't sinking in, but it will eventually. And it is never to early to always say " Use your words!" This encourages communication instead of throwing the truck at his sister's head because he wanted the toy she had! Just keep it up= sounds like he is a normal 2 year old! Hang in there :)

not a perfered method, but it worked for me, too young to unbuckle a complex "seat belt" my daughter was that age, and would squirm herself out of her "time out" chair, i took a belt and "seat belted" her in...took about a week, then she stopped and was able to remove the belt. still use the chair for time out (8) but of course with age, dicipline methods are different

IMO, time outs aren't effective with a 2 yo. Take a toy or lovey away for an hour or two. Place it in plain sight (on the fridge worked for me) and explain that he lost his XYZ b/c he did not respond to your warning--you've gotta give a warning to give him a chance to change his behavior--every time. Two is a real treat, isn't it?!

Is your time-out spot a place that he can easily get out of? Remember that time out is about removing your child from the "action" to a place that is not interesting or stimulating.

Find a safe place to have him sit... quiet, safe and isolated. Go with each episode. If he spits his drink on the floor, then he doesn't get to have juice anywhere except in the kitchen when he needs it. If he pulls his sister's hair, then he gets a time out. If he throws toys across the room, put those toys away immediately to a place that he cannot access them for 24 hours. Make the "consequence" link directly to the action and take action immediately.