My 6 year old came home from 1st grade and proceeded to show my 3 year old how to "flip the bird". Naturally we reprimanding the 6 year old, but it was too late. The 3 year old now flips off everyone she see's. We constantly reprimand her, taking away privlidges, threaten to "smack her hand", etc... nothing is working. What should we do????
2007-01-08 06:42:29 · 16 answers · asked by PT Money 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
This will probably go against all your instincts, but it is effective- stop giving the gesture attention!! My two year old did this for a while, not because she saw it anywhere, but because she had the ability to do so and thought it was neat. It was a "look what I can do!", not insulting- but still, I didn't exactly want her doing it everywhere we went! So, at first I tried distraction- "Oh, wow! I can make my thumb stick up too! Can you?!" but that didn't do it. Then, I just ignored her whenever she did it. After about a week of her Daddy and I ignoring her when she did it, she stopped. The good thing about toddlers is that they learn something new almost every day, so try encouraging one of her even newer tricks "Wow, I see you can find your letter in your name!" and completely ignoring the finger. She'll be so excited to show you something new she's learned, she'll soon forget about giving "the bird".
2007-01-08 11:19:28 · answer #1 · answered by dolphin mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try not to pay them too much attention. The fascination will end. The more you freak out, the more the kids will enjoy the action. I'm not saying ignore it, but just treat it as anything else (i.e. smack, reprimand, etc), even though it may mortify you in public. Anyone with kids will just smile in understanding anyway. I don't think I'd take priveledges away from a 3 year old since she is just emulating the older sibling and doesn't know what it means. The 3 year old probably just enjoys the attention she gets from it. The 6 year old may not grasp the meaning totally either (she may know it's soemthing bad and enjoy the attention as well), but is more able to understand the rules of the house and consequences for breaking rules.
2007-01-08 06:53:19 · answer #2 · answered by tcdrtw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, that is a tough one. Try telling her maybe that she should stop "flipping the bird" because it stops him from flying away and being happy. A weird story like that could help. Try taking away a privilage your child really loves. Or maybe come up with a story about why doing that is so bad that will scare her into stopping. Maybe tell her somone who she really idolizes (a character from a book, a toy, etc.) would be realy dissapointed in her and would be happy if she stopped doing it. And go on from there. Myabe actually smack her hand, or give her time outs. Good luck!
2007-01-08 06:55:17 · answer #3 · answered by smileforawile 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's 10 they're probably just his friends. Stop reading too much into it, if they are those kind of calls why does your son give out your number and think this is okay? Take some responsibility and show the boy some morals instead of coming to Yahoo talking nonsense, how old are you? 15? Acting like a child.
2016-03-29 16:44:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not using a discipline that is effective. Why threaten to smack her hand? THat's an empty discipline. Take her immediately and put her in time out for 3 minutes. That's not an empty threat and it's very effective with a 3 year old.
2007-01-08 07:09:07 · answer #5 · answered by hawkthree 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry. She might become a world leader. Our Late Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Elliott Trudeau flipped the bird to the Candian public. It became know as the "trudeau salute".
2007-01-08 06:50:21 · answer #6 · answered by Rockford 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a phase...and the more you draw attention to her the more she is going to do it. As for the person that threatened her daughter with calling the police that is awful. Children should not be afraid of the police. If they are in trouble they need to know that they can count on the Police to protect them. Shame on her!!
But back to the question, just ignore it or teach her a new way to address people and she will quickly move on and forget the "bird". Good Luck
2007-01-08 06:47:00 · answer #7 · answered by to_sassy4_u 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't just threaten, smack her hand when she does it. She knows by now that it's not acceptable, but by just threatening, you're sending the opposite message. Unless you carry through with whatever method of discipline you choose, it's useless. I like the police idea though. She has to learn that it's a "bad" sign. Best of luck.
2007-01-08 06:47:20 · answer #8 · answered by Shannon L - Gavin's Mommy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is a suggestion she is only three so you as parents will have to constantly remind her what the middle finger means and that it hurts peoples feelings and she can not do that , It means a bad word and it not only hurts you as parents feelings but it hurts your feelings when you see her do it.from now on remind her then tell her that you are going to smack her hand and you are going to punish her to her room without play time for the day.
2007-01-08 06:48:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
only two things you can do sell the child or buy her a motorsickle but seriously when she fails to get a rise out of you shell get bored with this behavior and quit oh its gonna be embarrassing but the more stink you raise the more it will appeal to her to do . Its either that or corporal punishment such as lopping off the offending digit jus kiddin again .
2007-01-08 06:50:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋