Is it to late to discipline my two year old?

Question

Ok my son is now 2 1/2 years old. I really just want to call him a brat! When he doesn't get his way he throws a fit, he tells his father and I "no" all the time. I know this is our fault for not taking parenting seriously but now its gotten extremely bad where I need this advise... is it to late to disicpline him?? what will work? taking his toys?? ???

Answer 1

It's not too late! You need to set some serious boundaries!
Starting at 2, you give one minute of timeout for every year old your child is. So if he's two, give him a two minute time out. Don't use your child's bedroom as a timeout zone, because it's where he's supposed to go to sleep, so chose a step, corner, or chair that isn't associated with his bedroom. It's better to reward good behavior, than to punish for bad behavior. Like, if your son is allowed to earn television time by riding his trike, or "helping" Mommy and Daddy with chores you can't take his earned time away from him as punishment, because it is negative. Your son needs to learn that no means no. When you say no, don't give in because you don't want to make a scene. I'm sure you're embarassed in line at the store, or wherever, but honestly, people are not going to remember you. Just talk to your son with respect, say, "Mommy can't understand what you want when you scream, if you need something, you need to tell Mommy nicely." Remember though, your son didn't become spoiled over night, and he's not going to be an angel overnight either. Take time, have patience, go slow and most importantly, make sure Mom and Dad have the same rules!!!

Answer 2

I have a 14 yo a 7 yo and a 3 yo. (all boys) Every once in a while the 7 yo and the 3 yo get a whack. Nothing major, just a pat on the seat of the pants. My 14 yo just gets a look as I am sure he remembers those whacks when he was 7 and 3. If you start now, it's not too late. It's rare that I discipline the children that way, but it works. Taking away the toys never really worked for us, but TV time for the 7 yo works now. Standing in the corener works well for the 3 yo, not sure why. But afterwards, he's good for about 15 minutes...lol
Discipline is a huge part of parenting, we all hate to do it, but it must be done. It's easier to start when they're young, but it's still never too late.
Good luck

Answer 3

2 1/2 is actually the age your suppose to buckle down and get strict about parenting. Before then your suppose to use the whole redirect thing and the words NO firmly. He's probably in his terrible two stage which trust me I know is horrible. 2 1/2 is the age where a child is just ready for time out. So I'd seta chair for him in a corner of your house.. or another isolated spot (Not his bedroom theres too much to do there and thats suppose to be a happy place) For 2 1/2 minutes. I'd firmly tell him NO and explain to him what he's done wrong. Scoop down to his height when talking to him and be sure to speak firmly. Tell your child What he did wrong and that he is in TIME OUT. Time out starts when you are quiet so if you cry.. you'll be here much longer. Get some kinda timer and set it for 2 1/2 minutes. If your child crys, gets up during this period re-start the timer. Taking his toys wont really teach much unless he hit someone with one, threw it etc. Then you take his toy. Its never too late. Its actually just the right time! Hope it works. Also theres some great books out there about disaplining your toddler. If none of this helps I'd check out out :) Good Luck!!

Answer 4

It is absolutely not too late. You should watch those shows - Supernanny or the House of Tiny Tearaways, Little Angels - they are excellent. You would be surprised at how quickly you could turn his behaviour around. When he throws a tantrum, ignore him. He needs to get attention from you when he is being good, not bad. If he won't do as he is told remove him to a specified area such as a step or chair for 2 or 3 minutes, no more. (Give a warning first, "If you do that again you are going to the naught chair", but only give one warning and then remove him) Praise all good behaviour. Remember, you are an adult and you are the boss, don't let a 2 year old control you. There is so much i can't write it all! Maybe you could get supernanny's book (her name is jo frost) she is really good. Good luck.

Answer 5

Discipline means teaching and it can never be too late to teach. Start by talking with the boys father about what things you really want to work on, only pick one or two. Write down what you talk about and talk openly about spanking. I don't believe in spanking here's why: I want to teach my sons to trust and respect me, I can't do that by violating that trust and hurting them. I show them respect so they know what it feels like and don't think that showing respect is the same as "kissing-***".

I select a teaching technique with each challenge and remain consistent throughout the teaching time. It the behavior is talking back, then do not respond by getting into a verbal argument, that is just feeding the behavior. Tell your son what it is you want quietly, calmly and firmly. Then if he argues, acknowledge his thoughts and feelings, but do not let him decide whether to listen to you (ie. 'Young Man, it is time to eat, please pick up your toys.' "No!" 'It is fun to play and I know you would like to play more, it is time to eat. Do you want to crawl to all the toys like a puppy or hop like a bunny?')
As for tantrums, just make the rule that there are no tantrums in the living areas of the home (not in kitchen, living room, bathroom) but if he needs to take a "Time Out" to get calm, he can go to his room. (Discuss this when he is calm.) The next time he throws a tantru (and every time after that), simply point to his door. If he does not go, carry him. Don't block him in, lock him in, or engage in the fight, just let him know that he can calm down there. Reward stickers etc are a good way to help him develop self-control, if he listens and cooperates, he gets a sticker, if he yells, argues or throws a tantrum, he does not get a sticker no matter how much he negotiaties. Don't taunt him with the sticker but state it in a matter-of-fact way, "Young Man, you must listen to get a sticker, I said to..." No cooperation, no sticker.
These are just some strategies that have worked, good luck.

Answer 6

OK, you need to take parenting classes. Its not because, I think that you are a bad parent but because; of your desire to change your son's bad behavior. They can teach you the skills that we are either not taught at home or what ever your particular situation. I think that the classes will also make you feel more confident/comfortable when you have to say no and mean it. The other option is buying/ borrowing a good parenting book that can also teach you some important parenting skills. I heard of one good book here on yahoo answers with a title like Common Sense Parenting. Good Luck! Remember what works for some people may not work for you & your son.

Answer 7

It is not too late. This is a good time to begin disciplining him if you haven't already started, because he is beginning to understand cause and effect relationships. You son uses the word no to express his dislike, anger, or pretty much any emotion that is negative. Try to keep this in mind and not take it personally. When you want him to do something, and he tells you know. Enforce it anyway. For example, if you tell him to sit at the table instead of standing in his chair, and he tells you no. Sit him down then repeat what you have said.

I have disciplined my son to understand that when Mommy starts counting, he has until the count of 5 before he ends up with a time out. I repeat my instructions one time only. After repeating once, he gets a time out: 1 minute for each year of age. Timeouts work for boys at this age because they want to get up and run around. When I begin to count, my little one immediately stops what he is doing and looks at me if he can't remember what it was that I asked him to do.

Taking away toys does not really work at this age, because they will find fun in a shoestring or an ant crawling accross the floor. TIMEOUTS work at this age.

Answer 8

Of course it is not too late! You just have to be consistent, which is a lot of work. Time outs, consistently after a warning. Not yelling, getting down on his level, these things all work. But being totally consistent is key. Also focus on the positive, praise him when you call and he comes, etc. Watch the supernanny sometime. I get a lot of good ideas from her.

I have a 2.5 yr old boy too. He is TOUGH. He is mostly good but very into saying no lately. Some of that could be a phase.

Good luck.

Answer 9

well i dont really know cause im not a parent.but im an older sis of 4.lol. i have two 2 year old twin little bros.theyre cute as can be.one can walk and one cant.but they can get annoying.when we've just fed 'em changed their diaper and gave 'em toys and they still whine. we just ignore for like 3 mins and then they stop! also when they do bad things ill look at 'em and say scritly 'no!' and then we kind of either tap their hand or take both hands and look them in the eye.were not mean cause usually their EXELLENT and rarely bad so we rarely have to be mean. But you shud do that and i also put them in their cribs if they keep on being bad.take away their privealges and be consistent and dont give in. if he screams his head off dont you show them their in more trouble.

Answer 10

if u dont start now then when he gets around 12 u wont be in control he will .take away a favorite toy but u have 2 stick with what u decide to do not for a day .have u ever been around kids that r out of control?not a pretty sight.u r doing it for his own good and that dont mak u a bad parent but a loving parent,