I have an extremely intelligent and developed 16month old and he's been going through an attitude stage for the past 4 months....Anyways, we were at a restaurant and he decided to fling his food across the table into Daddy's face.....at first we were really having a hard time holding back a laugh, so I grabbed his spoon away and firmly told him NO! While I was doing so he decided to roll his eyes and hit me. When I tod him hitting was not allowed he started to whine very loudly so I took him out side for him to calm down. After doing so, i brought him back inside and he decided to throw a fit because he didn't want to sit in the highchair and began to hit me again. I grabbed his little hand and smacked it, he gave me a pitiful face but he stopped...A woman 2 tables down looked at me in deep scorn as if i beat him......What can I do in public to discipline my child? He is rarely a prob a home, why in public? what can I do so I'm not viewed as abusive?
2006-09-22 08:30:59 · 10 answers · asked by arielchrisandjunior 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
He usually gets time out at home on a bench in the hallway....it always works...
2006-09-22 08:32:45 · update #1
I don't want to be viewed as abusive or irresponsible for his actions.......He knows time out very well......but you can't exactly do that in public
2006-09-22 08:35:04 · update #2
Screw the woman. It's not their damn business how you raise your child. Sometimes I really hate this country. It's really beginning to feel like the whole country is being run by the KGB these days.
As for the child's behavior. He is testing his limits. It's up to you to make sure he understands what happens when he crosses the line.
2006-09-22 08:44:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have very similar problems with my 2 year old. It's so hard to discipline him in public. I too have tapped my son in public on the hand or butt and have gotten the looks. Now when my son acts up I try my hardest not to react at all in front of people, I simply take him into the handicap bathroom stall, grab him by his jaw and tell him he will not act like that another moment. I told him about what he did that pissed me off, and I make him agree that he will stop. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 trips to the bathroom to get him to stop but it usually works pretty good.
2006-09-22 15:36:57 · answer #2 · answered by Bee Biscuits 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He does it because he is into the beginnings of the terrible twos. I think you handled it well. To heck with all those holier than thou people. Maybe the next time he misbehaves at a restaurant you should just take him home and give him peanut butter and jelly.
It will only take once or twice of leaving a place because of his bad behavior for him to get the message that your serious and won't tolerate the behavior. Hang in there and stay tough. YOU know what is best for your son.
2006-09-22 15:38:17 · answer #3 · answered by Barbiq 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I know it is hard not to laugh when they do stuff sometimes isn't it. You just go on doing what you are doing, it seems to be working. When my son was young and I popped him on the butt or hands in public I got those looks to and some people would say mean things in my general direction, and I would ask them to speak up if they had something they wanted to say, that shut most of them up. When people give you those looks or say something to you, you just tell them to mind their own business, at least your child will not grow up to be a hoodlum who disrespects his parents.
My son grew up to be a responsible, caring man and so will yours.
Good luck
2006-09-22 16:12:42 · answer #4 · answered by Joy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 20 month old also ... this is normal development. That's why they call them the "Terrible Twos".
There isn't much you can do at this age in the way of corrective behavior - as toddlers don't really understand cause and effect.
However, you can stop the undesirable behavior when you see it, and you can remove the object your toddler find amusing.
He'll grow out of it at about 36 months.
2006-09-22 15:40:00 · answer #5 · answered by kentata 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your doing a great job! Don't worry about other people! When my son was younger and he would throw a fit in a store I would simply throw him over my shoulder kicking and screaming out to the car and go home. People would stare but I could have cared less what they thought!
2006-09-23 09:14:56 · answer #6 · answered by d.a.f.f.y. 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son is 15 months old and this exact thing happened to me the other night. As I was reading this question of yours it seemed like you were talking about my son. I think you did the right thing. You have to parent the best way you know how and dont let people judge you. I mean it was not like you were beating him. Good luck!
2006-09-22 15:44:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Both I and my three sons were brought up knowing corporal punishment.We knew what would happen if we acted that way in public.
2006-09-22 15:43:54 · answer #8 · answered by old man 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At least you care enough about your child to discipline him. Don't worry about what people think. Who cares? It is not illegal to smack your child's hand or even spank him, so you continue doing whatever you want.
2006-09-22 17:51:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about what other people think. It is better to smack his hand then to let them disrupt the whole restaurant.
2006-09-22 15:34:13 · answer #10 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋