What is the best way to discipline a 13 month old? Is this even old enough?

Question

My son ALWAYS messes with the wall outlets, he listens to his father when he says no, but he doesn't listen to me. Not sure what I should do.

He can also get those plastic outlet covers out.

Answer 1

Why do you think he listens to his father, but not you? Has he already figured out that you are the "softy"?

At this age the best way to deal with "errant" behaviour is to physically redirect. When he touches the outlet, walk up to him and say, "Mama says don't touch." And physically remove him. Give him something else to do and tell him he's a good boy. You may have to repeat several times (in a row even.) as he will give you a delighted grin and immediately try it again. He's not really being defiant -- he's testing you. Are you going to change your answer if he keeps it up.

I always say -- you have to "out-stubborn" your children.

Now if he's throwing a temper tantrum -- that's a different story. It is not ok to just let that go. You need to be very firm and address it immediately. Let him know it's ok to be mad, but he's still not going to get his way, and it's not ok to kick and scream. You should putting him in an isolated spot - and let him know he's not in trouble for being mad, but he can come out when he is not crying anymore.

Too many parents think ignoring temper tantrums is the best way to handle them, but in fact you are only telling them that it is ok to throw a fit in front of every one else. This will mean an adult who thinks it is ok to get angry and take it out on others. Anger should be dealt with, but privately and/or in a controlled manner, and if you teach children this from a very young age it will be easier for them as adults.

Answer 2

I found that the best way to get any child to listen is through redirection. So, when your son is playing with the outlets, first and foremost, physically remove him from the situation. This only has to be done if it is something dangerous. Then, try to redirect his attention to something else. "No, Honey, we don't play with the outlets. They can hurt you. I know, let's look at this awesome book" or "we're going to play with this now." This usually works very well. When my daughter was that little, I used to keep some of her toys in a closet. Then, for days when no amount of begging and pleading worked and she just didn't want to listen, I would pull these toys out of the closet and it was like she had new toys! Bottom line, your son is at an age where he is curious, and wants to explore and it's your job to keep him safe. Hang in there!

Answer 3

13 months old is very young. It sounds as if your son is curious and isn't old enough to understand that what he's doing is dangerous. The best thing to do is to buy some of those plastic childproof socket protectors while he's at this stage.

When you see that he's about to do something you don't want him to do, you should distract him with something more interesting. He won't have a very long attention span yet and should easily be distracted. But really it's best to make sure your child is toddler-safe when he's so young.

Answer 4

13 months is not too young to start discipline. My daughter is 17 months old and I started with her a while ago. I give her a little tap on the hand and say NO. It breaks her heart for about 2 seconds but I walk away. Never ever pick them up if they cry from discipline.

Answer 5

Gentle steering. Don't placed him in occasions with matters that he are not able to contact, at his age he isn't but able of that variety of field. Keep your possess dwelling child proofed, if that implies matters like striking the Xmas tree in a play pen, then so be it. When he's coming near threat or going someplace you do not wish him to head, you advisor him clear of it and toughen it with age correct phrases, animation, and so forth. You are very conscious to invite approximately this, you quite are not able to forget about a one 12 months ancient (despite the fact that it kind of feels like plenty of mothers and fathers do!) There are many theories and books written approximately field, determine the library and spot which creator fits your possess private philosophy on how youngsters must be raised. You will discover greatly differing critiques.

Answer 6

my son is 2 and a half and hes the same lol. children know that they can push their mums and play up to them and we will love them no matter how naughty they are.you deffinatly need to set up a time out regime for him. make him sit down on the floor away from anything fun, how long you leave him their depends on his age, you use 1 minute for every year old they are, as everyone has a attention span of their age, mine being 20 mins for 20 years old. he will keep on getting up but you must be consistant and keep on sitting him back down, when his minute is up you explain very simply and slowly yo keep away from the plugsockets. it will eventually bring him to think that bad thinks are associated with plug sockets. trust me hunni i have to do it a million times a day sometimes at work with 8 of them but it does work. be strong.xxxxxxxxxx