How do should I discipline a 2 year old??

Question

I posted a question earlier, everyone seemed to say that I shouldn't confine a two year old to his room, when he's being naughty, if I can't spank him or let him have a time out- two year old don't stand still in a corner, what should I do for punishment??

Answer 1

Ok first of all be consistent. Find a method that you like and stick to it. Even if it doesn't work at first the more you continue to stick to it the more it will.
Also carry through with your threats.If you tell her that if she hits you one more time then she is going to have to sit in the chair two minutes with no tv etc...then when she hits you one more time do not ask questions do not hesitate stick her in that chair. Or whatever it is you might do.
Whether its time outs,taking away toys whatever...do it WHEN you say you are going to...not next time.
If you say no it means no...
Show her that you are the mom.

Also at this age I know it seems young but talk to her. Tell her how it makes you feel. Let her know that behavior is not appropriate.Ask her how she is feeling when she does those things and why she does those things.She might not be able to give you real answers right now but it is opening the door for communication and is teaching her to use her words...and about emotions.

There is a book out there called Today I feel Silly. Its a GREAT book for children this age. It goes over all the emotions and what you are feeling and thinking and wanting to do through them.

Remember at this age they are just learning their boundaries and they are DEFINITELY going to test them. Its a tough age because they want to be grown up and independent yet can not yet be.

Finally at this age they are COPYING everything. Lead by example. When you feel yourself reaching that point where you are about to explode take a few deep breaths and reset your timer. Act how you want HER to act. Do not say words you dont want her saying. Do not do things that you do not want her doing. Right now you are her main idol she wants to be like you and is going to do what you are doing. Be positive and she will too.

These things will not change overnight and will take lots of hard work and love but you can do it!!!Good luck!

Answer 2

The best way to handle a 2 year old is to redirect them to something positive. For instance if they threw all the cups on the floor, you'd take them away from the cabinets and put them infront of their toys and say "play with this not my cups" If that doesn't work, you can make a safe spot either in a pack n play or a pillow on the floor and when all else fails use that for time out. The rule of thumb is 1 minute for each year so a 2 year old would have to sit on the pillow for 2 minutes and if they jump up, you put them back down. Don't talk to them, don't make too much of a fuss jsut do it quietly. Confining to a room is just cruel at this age and they aren't understanding what's going on....save that for when they turn 5. LOL

Answer 3

Okay, to start with - we are talking about a 2-year old. General developmental perspective of this age: very self-centered, just beginning a sense of personal identity and belonging, possessive, often negative, often frustrated, no ability to choose between alternatives (do you want a cookie or an apple ~ 2 year old wants BOTH). Enjoys physical affection, VERY resistive to change, becoming more independent, more responsive to humor and distraction than discipline or reason. This is also the time where a child actually COPIES the actions of the parent. Time out / 1 minute per year of age. Tell your child "The rule is "no hitting. You hit mommy, you go to time out." Put them in time out immmediately. For a child of this age, remember with 15 seconds after the occurrence of the behavior, you've lost them. The intervention MUST IMMEDIATELY follow the inappropriate behavior. Their memories are very short! While in time out, do not correct, communicate with or give eye contact to the child. IGNORE! When the timer goes off, it's done - it's over - finished.MOST IMPORTANT THING: BE CONSISTENT! Certain behaviors always = TIMEOUT. Putting a children in their room at this age takes away your ability to ignore them while they're in time out. Get on with your day - re-direct to another activity, tickle, giggle, have fun! They are only 2 for 365 days! Best of Luck!

Answer 4

There is no reason why you can't give a two year old a time out. What I do is give the usual warnings, if the behaviour doesn't stop I sit him on a chair in the middle of the kitchen and set the timer for 2 minutes. I then tell him that he can get up when "the stove beeps".
I don't like to give time outs in bedrooms, because a child's bedroom is supposed to be something that they feel safe and happy in, not something they associate with punishment. Plus you can't really keep an eye on them in their bedroom for a time out. With my kitchen idea I can make sure he stays in the chair and I can cook super, or whatever I need to do.
Don't forget to explain to the child why they were given a time out after the time out is over....Even at 2 they can understand.

Answer 5

Well I do a lot of distracting by saying no you cant play in mud but you can play in the sand box. I have been known to g ive a two year old a little tap on the hand for touching not a spank just a tap gets their attention. And I do send them to their room - not so much for them to sit but to get my composure back!!
Look if your two year old understands what you want him to do and doesnt do it then get up and show him what you want and insist he do it. And if time outs work for you use them-if standing in the corner works then use it. But for most two year olds it doesnt work yet.

Answer 6

You can make him stand in the corner. (I've seen it done, my 2 year old niece does this when she's in trouble.) My son's time out space is his high chair (since he thinks he's too big to use it to eat). It works great, he's strapped in if in the middle of a fit. Two minutes and my angel is back. Also, take toys away from him, this works well.

Answer 7

when misbehaving there is nothing wrong with placing a child in a room away from the family.. it teaches the child that if he misbehaves he doesn't have the right to be with the rest of the family make sure nothing can harm him when hes alone and only isolate him for 1 minute per year of his age for example he's two so two minutes away at first he will protest but be consistent he will catch on eventually

Answer 8

You can't just ignore him while he throws a fit, you have to restrain him. Do not hurt him, but do take away his freedom by restraining him and keeping her safe. I find that gravity helps, especially when you restrain him with you on top and his back to the ground. God built parents larger for a reason. Do this EVERY TIME he throws a tantrum, even in public. Kiss him and love him, show no anger but do show understanding and empathy. You are teaching him control by showing him control, so never lose your temper. You'd be amazed at how fast his behavior changes.

Answer 9

I would give him a time out it won't hurt nothing just make it for 2 min. make him sit in the corner in a chair or turn the tv off and make him sit next to you on the couch for two min. This is not going to hurt him one bit and it is a whole lot better than spanking him. If nothing else take a switch and just barley tap his leg just gently enough to scare so he will know you mean business mine is 3 1/2 and he will get time out or the switch.

Answer 10

We took a tip from supernanny and we sit our little one on a step. If they stand, you firmly sit them back down. No talking. Ignore them. They need to understand that you are the boss and until they sit and calm down, that step is their home. Could be as long as 15 minutes or as little as 20 seconds. Our daughter has started saying "All done," and we ask her to come over, apologize to Mommy, daddy or the dog and make sure that she knows why she was sitting there.
Works effectively for us but with you it sounds as though you will need to be patient with the sitting down versus standing up policy.
Good luck