my 2 year old is very difficult, more so than the average baby. She doesnt listen at all. How do I disipline?

Question

I dont know what she understands as far as punishments, I dont want to tramatize her, just get threw. Im just not sure whats fair for a 2 year old, how much she understands.

Answer 1

Kids dont understand punishments at this age. Mine will be 2 in May and she doesnt get it. Just let her know when you are upset, say something like "Mama said NO!" or "That will hurt (name)! Dont do that" And if they continue, remove them from the situation and try and distract them with something else. Fits will happen, but constant supervision and correcting is needed. Also, lots of praise. Let them know whenever they are doing the right thing. From playing nice, to eating nice, to just general behavior. If you are constantly saying "no" or trying to punish him/her they will not know how to please you. Positive reinforcement is as important if not more so than trying to correct them constantly.

It is tempting to try spanking, time outs and other punishment (taking away toys/tv..) but I have found so far that my daughter cannot comprehend these things. I will be more prone to try punishments when she is closer to 3, but each kid is different.

Answer 2

I have a 2 year old girl as well and she acts the same way. The problem is if you don't get it under control now it will only get worse. Here are some things that work great for me.
1. Time out 1 min for every year
2. never go back on a "no" once no is said stick with it
3. get down on you knees so you see her eye to eye and explain to her what shes done wrong and why she cant do it, try saying it in terms she will understand. Like you cant touch the oven , its very hot and it will give you a big ouch, and I don't want you to get a ouch,
4. if shes done something very wrong use a stern voice. (don't yell as she will just get scared or tune you out )
5. remember she knows more than you think, don't under-estimate her.
6. if you believe in spanking don't go over board and only on the behind but sometime it can work. (just remember its not always needed and it should always be a light swat)
7. don't let her see you get fustrated, keep you cool in front of her, If my child throws a fit in a public area I take her to the car put her in the back seat. sit in the front turn on the car and read. (keep a book in car) let her cry until she is done then tell her why she was taken to the car and if she does it again she will go to the car again.
8.MOST IMPORTANT..... always follow through. always do what you say you will do. don't say I'm going to put you in the corner if you dont stop and never do it. dont make empty threats, once you start one form of punishment always do it every time!!! with every fit go to the car or what ever works for you. just always do it.

Answer 3

I discipline my two year old by first correcting her verbally. She understands, however, like many 2 year olds she likes to continue to test the waters. When the verbal correction doesn't work she gets a pop on the behind. However shocking that may be, it usually works. On an extra stubborn day (and we have had our share), I completely remove her from the situation by putting her in her room on her bed. She can cry, scream, or whatever, but she cannot join the rest of the house until she's ready to come out and cooporate.

So far, so good. The good thing about the 3rd step is that it takes the "pressure" off of both of us. She wants to be right and I NEED to be right. In the end, I win, but on her timing.

The most important thing that I have found with my kids is consistancy. It's so easy to laugh at them the first time they do something naughty, but it's a rather difficult cycle to break if you don't put your foot down every time. Don't be overly concerned with sounding like a dictator, either. As long as your no's are loving (and even your pops on the behind), she'll come around. Kids thrive with boundaries. She tests you because of those that you've set -- she feels safe.

Good luck ... two will soon turn into three. :)

Answer 4

At the age of 2 they do understand alot and hate almost all punishments.My 2 year old kept trying me.I now warn him once and if his behavior does not improve then he gets 2 minutes in the corner.I set the timer on the stove for 2 minutes and he instantly starts to cry he will behave.I walk him over to the cornor and if needed I will stand at the cornor for 2 minutes to make sure he stands there.It seemed like he was in the cornor alot at first but now he gets it maybe once to twice a week.Being consistent is hard but it pays off in the long run.I was having him sit on the couch but that did not bother him so I knew that punishment was a waste of time for him.

Answer 5

Two years old understand a lot.
She understands she is controlling you.
A child needs to know who is in charge,
so they feel safe. If they don't respect you
they will feel the need to make up the
rules for themselves. Leaving you out
of the picture as far any discipline is
concerned. Punishment does not have
to traumatize parent or child. It should
just be consistent and fair. If you mean
to teach your child to live in this world ....
They need to learn NO. The biggest lie
you can tell your child, is that they can
do whatever they want. That's just not
the real world. You don't want to end up
the only one that likes them. Say NO,
and mean it. It takes time and patience.
But you owe it to your child to give them
a real and solid foundation. Just stick to
the rules once you have made them. The
child is small now and so are the problems.
It's not fair to you or your child to wait until
they are older to start guiding them, as
far as discipline and respect is concerned.
There's no harm in seeking help.............

Answer 6

Sounds like a normal two year old to me...This is one reason they call this stage "the terrible twos". She doesn't understand much at this point. You can tell her "no" no and ten minutes from now she will be right back doing what she was told not to do becuase she doesn't have the attention span. So you need to start redirecting her when she starts to get into something she's not supposed to get into. Just gently take her by the shoulders and show her something else to focus her attention on. You have to be patient and you have to be consistent, and don't start switching from disciplines simply because something doesn't "seem" to be working...That's where the consitency comes in. You have to do the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.

Answer 7

Get her hearing checked first. Then, try time out. 1 minute each year old she is. If you think 2's rough, try teenagers! Good luck.

Answer 8

if you figure it out let me know, hehe, mine is just plain stubborn, but i know that she understands NO, just doesnt listen. Good luck and hang in there.

Answer 9

She is two. She is just learning HOW to listen. Be patient. Remind her again and again. She's not 14.

Answer 10

DEPENDS WHAT SHES DOING BUT TIME OUT