My son is 2 1/2 and here lately he has been the biggest brat throwing fits when he don't get his way about what he wants. He is an only child. I have tried everything to try to get him to realize that this behavior is not ok, but nothing works. At first I was spanking his butt, but that didn't work, all that did was made me feel mean, so i quit doing that. Then I put him in time out, but that's not working either. We just got back from running errands and he threw a fit cause he didn't want to go inside to put stuff away. He wanted to stay out and play. So, now he is in his crib crying at me to get out. I'm so frustrated, I don't know what else to try with him. Any ideas?
2007-10-18 05:21:59 · 11 answers · asked by tricksy 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Hi Sarah, none of us like when our children act out. My advice is to start with his diet. Limit the amount of sugar he recieves all day long, including sugars from juice and other "healthy" things we typically give our children. Then start a "good boy/good listener" rewards jar and a "not good" jar. Use something visable for him to understand that when he does good things we put something in the jar(styrofoam balls spray painted bright colors) and each day at the end of the day he gets "x" amount of whatever reward you deem acceptable, and if the amount of not good is more than the good he gets none or less or however you want to work it. Eventually he'll understand that being good is the way to be. Let him see you do it or do it himself to really make his wheels turn.
2007-10-18 05:33:13 · answer #1 · answered by watchinthemoon07 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you need to be consistent. And when he throws a fit ignore him. *well you know make sure he isn't somewhere he will get hurt step on, ran over etc* and let him run his tantrum out. He will eventually stop when he realizes you won't give in.
I agree with time outs of one minute per age, however I modified this when it came to the "offense" If my daughter was in time out because she was screaming crying and throwing a fit for no reason I would not get her out at the three minute mark UNLESS SHE WAS QUIET. I only pulled her out when she calmed down and could apologize. No sense in letting her out in my opinion if she was still doing what she was "in there for"
Try to catch him doing good stuff too. When you see him put something away make a big fat deal about it. If you get through a shopping trip and he is quiet and good praise him on what a good boy he was and maybe he should pick out a donut or some small "treat" *edible or not*.
Make it clear when you do punish him WHY he is being punished. Make him apologize if he can verbalize.
Good Luck. I never dealt with the "terrible twos" I've been dealing with the "terrible" threes and above lol. It is all a matter of the child "growing up" and thinking he should/can be able to do things that he can't/shouldn't.
2007-10-18 05:46:13 · answer #2 · answered by moonshadow418 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son is the same age and went from angel to devil in one night. He has even thrown to fits in the store in the past week. They are seeing how far they can push us. The main thing is don't give in or they were do it more to get their way. My son didn't get anything those to days cause of the way he acted but he cried all the way to the car with everyone looking. As for time out and spanking these didn't work for me . I did take away anything that he did wrong with for the rest of the day. This would make him think before he threw again and stuff like that. As for us this is a time of trail and error due to the fact every child is different as to what they react to.
2007-10-18 05:35:42 · answer #3 · answered by speciallady25 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I have a son around the same age and what really works is positive reinforcement:Like can mommy have?, Or Good boys sit bad boys stand when eating and counting is the biggest trick ever. If he is doing something wrong you say you have until three if not you are going to get it 1...2....before 3 they usually stop if not that's when a little pinch
Good Luck everyone says there is a time in toddler hood where you don't like your children it will pass
2007-10-18 05:36:56 · answer #4 · answered by R. K 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What 2 year old would want to go in and put things away after running errands? After being cooped up in the car, a little exercise would have done him worlds of good. Pick your battles wisely with a 2 year old.
2007-10-18 05:44:00 · answer #5 · answered by beaches 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yep it is terrible 2's my kids have all done it but find something as a punishment and keep at it. Also at my house there is a strict rule of mommy time out. My kids all know that if mom needs a time out that it is time to turn on a cartoon and leave mom alone for a bit.
We needs breaks too =D It should get better in time just don't think when he turns 3 that it will get better because then it is terrible 3's
2007-10-18 05:38:00 · answer #6 · answered by ღKrissyღ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Time-out should be 1 minute for every year of age. When time-out is done, explain why you did it and ask him to apologize. At that age, I would just say I can't talk to you when you are like that and walk away (make sure he is safe of course).
Tantrums come and go. Stay calm. Spanking is not the solution.
Good luck.
2007-10-18 05:27:32 · answer #7 · answered by Annie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no objections to spankings. They work quite well for my son. He gets one pop on the leg and 3 min. of time out for all tantrums. He's stopped throwing them for the most part. When I put him in Time-out, he sits in the corner in a small wooden chair that says 'time-out' on it. When mommy says time out....he's in fear of the spanking so he gets his chair and puts it in the corner and sits in it. He will be 2 in Dec.
True True. Consistency is the key. (and a little bit of fear)
2007-10-18 05:46:52 · answer #8 · answered by ~Jeeya~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyday I babysit my niece (she just turned 3) and I know exactly what you mean. Put him in a time out until he calms down. Then ask him if he's ready to behave. If he says yes then give him a hug and resume life. YOU HAVE TO STICK TO YOUR GUNS! Methods doesn't always work the first few times you use them. You have to keep at it if you want to see results. Good luck!
2007-10-18 05:32:12 · answer #9 · answered by knotteegurl101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get consistent
find a punishment and enforce it every single time dont give in either. that only encourages him to continue the fits.
ignore it when possible even
i have a four year old also an only child and i find if i ignore certain behaviors like tantrums they stop a whole lat faster
2007-10-18 05:27:23 · answer #10 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋