We all want to be the perfect parent and the have the perfect child. In reality, your child is perfect, and you are doing your best. Perfection as a parent isn't actually possible. When you child is lying on the floor demanding a toy in the shop you have to remember that he is still perfect; he just wants something different to you at that precise moment in time.
Why Discipline A Toddler.
are great, they are totally undefeated by the world, everything seems to be possible whether it is convincing their mother to give them a cake, climbing onto the table or talking to a dog twice their size! Why do we need to discipline a toddler? Without discipline your toddler will go on believing that everything is possible and available at their demand. When you discipline a toddler you are not saying that they are naughty, you are say that now is not the time or place.
How To Discipline A Toddler
Personally, I am a big fan of the 'naughty chair', initially my son would cry when he was put on the chair (we have a small chair which is kept in a cupboard and brought out specifically for this and has no other use). Now I usually only have to suggest it and the behaviour stops! I think the reason that this is so successful is that it removes your toddler from the controversial situation and they are so busy being angry that they are on this irritating chair which their mother produces at important moments of scientific discovery that the whole issue has passed by the time they are ready to stand up. Once their understanding is better, then you don't have to use it you simply have to mention it. If you discipline a toddler in this way it is rather like distraction technique, but the child associates it with boring and therefore does not want to repeat it too often.
When to discipline a toddler
Knowing when to discipline a toddler is harder than actually doing it! I have three basic categories; it is dangerous, it is unacceptable to society, and the third is house rules (I'll explain this one later). Hitting a glass cabinet with a toy hammer is a good example of when to discipline a toddler; as this can dangerous. If you try to distract your toddler with a toy then they will wonder if the next time they hit the cabinet with the hammer whether you will come running with another toy! If you put them on the naughty chair, after a couple of times they will realize that they will always get this boring response. If they throw food over their shoulder when they don't like it, is not acceptable; another example of when to discipline a toddler. At home this one may be manageable, but sooner or later you will want to be able to eat at someone else's house (and still be able to visit a second time!). Finally these are my house rules. Everyone has things which really wind them up; in our household it is biting and screaming. I just will not tolerate either of these forms of behaviour, especially in a confined space, and therefore my toddler is disciplined for this. As a mother you get to make up most of the rules, just ensure that you are consistent.
Your child is intelligent and therefore will not choose to sit on a chair instead of play. It is not cruel to discipline a toddler, they need your help to guide them through the maze of social behaviour, and without any form of discipline you will probably go insane.
|
