How can I get my two year old daughter to listen better?

Question

Her favorite word ( of course:) ) is no and she loves to test me with everything. I also have a two month old. What can i do to get her attention without spanking her?

Answer 1

Get down on her level, and be very consistent with rules: when you say no, mean it. Also, at this age time-outs start becoming effective. Since their long term memory is still developing, two minutes will do.

Answer 2

im 15 and yea i know im young and i havent had a child yet but i baby sat a two year old for 2 years now shes turnin 4. i also baby sat a 3 year old and shes 5 now. And trust me the 3 year old gave me so much trouble. So i have lots of experience with toddlers. I always gave them time outs for a while yea they cry and scream and tell u i hate u but u just have to take and and not cave in bc if u do they will never learn. I kept them up there for like 1 hr or sometimes more and then i went to go talk to them and told them y i gave them a time out and said if they ever do it again it will be longer. It works pretty good. or take away a toy and tell them ur not getting it back till u behave spanking them isnt the answer to me it never solves anything. email if u want if u have any more ?'s. try it and tell me if it works :)

Answer 3

Well, it depends on the situation. Try:

Choices: Do you want to have a warm bath or a cold bath tonight? Do you want to go to bed with a story or without? Do you want to wear your coat or carry it? Do you want your milk in the red cup or the blue cup? You see, "no" won't work in response to any of these. Then, set a rule: ask twice, and if she doesn't choose, YOU WILL. Then do it.

Assertiveness: Instead of snapping with a consequence if she backtalks (or any other misbehavior), buy yourself some time. Say, "Amanda, I don't like the way you are talking to me. It makes me not want to be around you." You haven't issued any ultimatums, and you just bought yourself some time to figure out what to do. If she stops, you don't have to do anything. Whenever you can, insert your feelings into the comment--it will teach her empathy: "Amanda, your words hurt my feelings and make me feel sad."

Say Yes more often: "I want a cookie!" And you say, "Yes, later." Now, if she asks again in 30 seconds, you can say, "Yes, later," again, or you can say, "Okay, now." Either way, you are keeping your word. Another method (which might be better for older kids) is, "If you need the answer right now, it's no. If you can give me some time to think about it, it might be yes."

And, LISTEN. You probably think I'm crazy, but very few toddlers are really listened to. Devote time every day to put aside everything else you're doing and thinking about, and LISTEN to her. Rephrase the things she says and say them back to her to prove you are listening. Most children listen best when they are listened to.

There are two books that I really recommend: Kids Are Worth It (Barbara Colorusso) and Love and Logic (Jim Fay and Foster Kline). They will help you creatively deal with your children, while preserving your relationship with them and the real joy in parenting. Best of luck.

Answer 4

Sounds like you have your hands full! I am a mother of 5. From my experience, the terrible twos as they are so often called is a stage in your childs life when she is learning about boundries. I think one of the most important things you can do for her is to be constant! Stick to your guns! If you tell her to do or not to do something you absolutely can not give in!!! You must let her know who is the BOSS and that it is not her!!! You don't have to spank her.. try other things such as time out. Make her sit in the corner facing the wall for a short time. If she tries to get up before her time out is over simply pick her up and put her back in the corner. Whatever you do don't give in to her bad behavior. If she finds out she can get you to eventually give in, she has won and believe me, even at two years old, she'll remember!!! Somtimes it seems easier to just give in to her little demands but in the long run you will be hurting you both! I say this from my own experiences as a MOM. It's alot easier to do it now, than when she is a teenager!!!!!!!! Good luck to you and stay strong!!!!

Answer 5

They simply wont listen to you if you spank them. Well...I think she's in her own jealousy with her younger bro, maybe you should involve her taking care of her bro more often. Just as her to do simple thing, like asking her to talk t o her new bro or play with him.

Or you can read them a nice story book before sleeping, just give her the same attention as you give to her bro. Tell her that her bro will need you more because he's still not able to do anything by himself and mommie will be very glad if you can help him out too...so you both will have equal attention from mommie..

I hope it helped!

Answer 6

Talk to her at eye level; ask her how she feels (are you hungry, tired, bored, do you want me to read to you?) With a new sibling in the house he/she may also feel overwhelmed. When you tell her no also tell her why. (Stop jumping on the bed because if you don't you may fall and get hurt). Telling a child to stop doesn't mean nothing to them unless you explain why; and always tell him/her that you love them. If they ask if you love her or her sibling more a good answer is no I love you both equally but differently since you are both two different people. Stay consistent with her schedule and incorporate her with helping with her new sibling (putting soap on the sponge; handing you a diaper, etc.) Hope some of these ideas are useful. And "You" get yourself some alone time and rest.

Answer 7

2 yr olds have a very short attention span,but they understand more than what we give them credit for.Sit her down with no distractions such as the t.v.Tell her the next time she doesn't listen you will take away something special from her or give her a five minute time out.YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THROUGH!If you say your going to do something it is very important to do it.When she does listen,shower her with praise.Stop what your doing even to give her a big hug.Small rewards are also good such as a safety sucker or a small bag of fruit gummies.Tell her why she's getting the reward.I have 3 girls.Yes I did spank at times,but positive reinforcement is the way to go.Remember in our busy lives to stop and love your children.They are only small for such a short time.♥

Answer 8

hahhaha. thats cute but that hard. Well her favirote word is no. uh. Let me see you ask her to take a bath she says no. you tell her to take a nap. she says no. Well try doing it different and see what she does. Without telling her to do things she hates. Try saying things she likes. Like Lets take a bath with bubbles and then after we can have something specail Or you want to go to the park and play on the swings? Or lets get into bed and i'll read you a story. Or something to make it more funner. The more fun it sounds the more she will stop saying no. and start saying yes. and will be looking forward to doing what she hates but now loves.

Answer 9

keep as many things out of her reach as possible that are breakable or ruinable if she tries to get to things pull her away from them constantly or grab her hand before she can touch them and tell her we don't hurt things just firmly not with contempt or yelling or any abuse.And don't take her to the store if she can't behave at home. if you do take her to the store give her choice on cereal and maybe one other thing like at a dollar store that is safe for children under 3 never feed a child under 3 honey it can give them brain tumor symptoms and don't give a hyperactive child sugar,oranges,or cherry flavored anything.sugar can be like LSD to them

Answer 10

It depends on what you want her to do. If you want her to clean up or wash her hands try making it into a song. Singing really gets their attention. We use it to make the kids that are three years old and two to line up, or to come to circle.

You can make up songs to any melody.