Discipline?

Question

How do you discipline an 18 month old child that is by no means naughty just a typically curios, cheaky boy. Obviously he is too young to understand the concept of the naughty step and with all the hoo ha about smacking. With all the toys he has it's amazing he'd rather pull at the curtains etc...

Answer 1

The most important things for a child is to make sure he/she knows the limits. You don't need any violence for that : just say "No" and No is No.
Until they are 4 or 5 children will always test you, and try to go beyond your limits. If you keep a firm stance they will understand and discipline themselves.
Hope this helps

Answer 2

Make sure you have well defined limits and that he can understand them; ie, where he can and cannot go in the house. If you have any areas which might be dangerous (like a kitchen where hot things may be cooking) get a baby gate and put that across the entrance. If he knows he cannot go somewhere, he won't try to go there.

Let your yes be yes, and your no mean no. If you say no, back it up with action. If you make a threat because he has been naughty, back it up with action. Make your threats mean something, rather than just be empty. If he knows that something unpleasant is coming next, he won't do it, and it will also make an impression on his conscience.

Like another reply said, limit the number of toys he has to play with, and change them round every now and again. By doing this, he doesn't get bored with what he has because they change from time to time, but he also learns to appreciate them.

If you also encourage a sense of appreciation for things, he will learn to value things in everyday life, more and more. I was always told to make food and drinks, or treats last, and not to guzzle them down in ten seconds flat. I was also taught to treat things like toys with respect, so that they wouldn't get broken, and would last a lot longer.

There is nothing wrong with smacking OCCASIONALLY if he has been really bad, but it should be a last resort. When I was that age, a stern look, the slow wag of the finger or even just a raised hand were enough to make me panic because I knew what could come next! It is all about how you speak to the children. If you speak with authority, they learn very quickly. Quite often though, simple deprivation of priviledges (confiscation of toys, no dessert after dinner) will work very well.

Positive examples are also a great way to teach them. You probably do anyway, but you are your child's best role model. If you are talking to people in a polite, friendly and respectful way (be it friends, family, neighbours, shop assistants etc) children see that as the normal way to behave. Reinforce good behaviour in them by reminding them about good manners if they forget. If I ever asked for something and didn't say please or thank you, my parents would always pull me up, and remind me by asking " what do you say? " or telling me to use " a little magic word. " That has made a big impression on my conscience.

Clearly-defined limits and positive exaples give children a strong sense of right and wrong, and a positive idea of how to behave. Follow the suggestions, and the ideas will stay with your son until adulthood.

Answer 3

No he is not too young to understand the concept of the "naughty step" or a naughty corner etc. He is too young to be placed there for any long periods of time. First of all before he is "naughty" show him where the "naughty spot" is. Explain to him that whenever he misbehaves that is where he will have to go. When he mis behaves you put him there for a few seconds then remove him. Over time and as he gets older increase the time he has to be there. Also you might want to start implementing the behavior/reward system. When the child behaves for a long period of time reward him with something he likes...a trip to the playground, (my daughter loved going to the mall, not for shopping she just liked all the people). Also television time, vidoes and video games as they get older can be added as priveliges. When they behave all day they earn an hour of telivision/vidoes etc at the end of the day. It is so much easier to discipline this way because the child KNOWS where the limits are and the child KNOWS that "If I want to watch cartoons for an hour I HAVE to behave".

Answer 4

Why does everyone think discipline is about punishment?

You can achieve discipline by showing love. Have you considered he's pulling at the curtains because he wants attention. Maybe he wants you to play with him?

Do you?

Story time? Bath time?

Good behaviour is often created and reinforced through an element of routine. Be sure meal times, bed times etc are as consistent as circumstances allow.
If circumstances are especially difficult in this area, take some time out to see what can be made routine rather than focus on what can't be done.

Answer 5

When my son was18 months he kept pulling out some polyanthus that I'd just planted. He thought it was great fun even though I kept saying no, he'd pull them out again and again and then stand there grinning at me, triumphantly holding them aloft. Eventually I bopped him on the bum, (I'd warned him I would if he did it one more time) he was wearing dungarees with a nappy underneath so there was no pain just surprise and shock when I actually did it - he cried a bit but I said I'd told him not to do it. He's 12 now and a great lad who loves his mum. The fact that you worry/question the rights or wrongs of giving you little one a smack means it's ok for you to give the occasional smackette. It's obviously not something you're going to enjoy so it won't happen very often.

Answer 6

That age can drive you crazy...I know I lived it several times. A stern "NO" and a swat on the back of the hand is what I did and it worked. If they still don't listen, use a pack and play to make them stay in and tell them that is where they have to be if they don't be good. Take heart, though...I think the phrase "terrible two" is very inappropriate. I actually think 2 year olds are much better behaved ... they listen better than 18 month olds and understand how to be good . That is only a 6 month time frame, but they change very fast. Hopefully yours will for the better. Good luck!

Answer 7

distraction usually works well at this age I would suggest setting up a playpen and use it for time outs 18months really is not too young for the concept of a naughty step, just the frustration the parent has keeping the child there, so the playpen works better.



oh and I don't care about the HOO HAA my children do get spanks when the need arises

Answer 8

Just like Dr. Phil said on his show about disipline:children need need to be disipline early to prevent a head or heart ache later.If he pulls on things he is older enough for a pop on the hand.But when you pop him on the hand you have to look at him in his eyes and point at the object he was messing with and say NO! NO! he will continue to do this but he will truly understand when he hear you say NO! NO! he will thik about that pop and walk away.This will also work if he does anything wrong and say NO! NO! he will again think that old pop and walk away.He will also start saying NO! NO! when you say it.

Answer 9

My son is 17 monthsand such a rebel already,guess he picks most of it up off his sister almost 4.He is too young to be disciplined,you should give a firm no when he is doing anything which is naughty and see how he reacts to that or when he cries for not getting his own way,just let him cry it out and he will soon give in when he realises no one goes running.It is veryhard letting any child cry it out but worth it once they realsise.Best of luck

Answer 10

"all the hoo ha about smacking"? that's why kids are such insufferable brats these days. no one wants to hit 'em, even when they're begging for it. for christ's sake, if the boy is pulling on the curtains, smack his hands. buck up and be a parent. better to be hit a little by you and grow up right than to spend the better part of his adult life getting his butt kicked because he never learned how to act. you're in charge, at least you should be, so act like it.