How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

I know this has been done, but I'm PMSing and I'm frustrated!!! You guys probably know DS and I moved in with my parents about 3 weeks ago. Normally my mom is there in the mornings to help me. She has a split level house (we havent gotten gates yet) and my old house was a ranch. Normally I would have let DS roam the house while I got ready in the morning but here i cant.

My parents went to AC this weekend so it was the first time i had DS alone in the morning in this house. i want to rip my f'n hair out!!! luckily i got dressed before he woke up, but while i'm trying to get cups and bags ready in the kitchen he keeps trying to climb the stairs. i very sternly said no and told him its dangerous but he didnt care. he kept giving me this look like...you told me not to but im doing it anyway! i did time out, but it doesnt matter because he puts himself in time out! no matter what i did that kid would NOT get off the stairs! i got to the point where i was going to smack his hand but i held back. i REFUSE to hit. please don't turn this into a thread about convincing me it's ok. i totally understand some moms do that, but i dont. i need another method.

i also know i'm stressed and frustrated and he probably senses that, but there has to be something!

Message edited 12/27/2011 10:23:28 AM.

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

Will you be staying there longterm? If so, def. get the gates up asap. Do any babyproofing you can that will make your life easier (gates, kitchen cabinets, etc)

We all have our moments. Don't be so hard on yourself.

I use timeouts with Tyler. They seem to work. They never did with Jack. With Jack there was a lot of screaming, and crying (and I'm talking about ME here )

Hopefully these ladies will have some advice for you!

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

Posted by Diana1215

Will you be staying there longterm? If so, def. get the gates up asap. Do any babyproofing you can that will make your life easier (gates, kitchen cabinets, etc)

We all have our moments. Don't be so hard on yourself.

I use timeouts with Tyler. They seem to work. They never did with Jack. With Jack there was a lot of screaming, and crying (and I'm talking about ME here )

Hopefully these ladies will have some advice for you!

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

Go and buy gates today!

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

Post on freecycle also to see if anyone has any gates available. I've seen people post about them before. Maybe you can get a gate or two for free from freecycle and that will help!

I know how it is to move and have the holidays all at once and have a lot of expenses, we have been there before!

Two can be a frustrating age! I have also used time-outs at two and I find that they are a very good age for them. Once they get to 3 or 4 I feel like they are a little more defiant, but at 2 they do respond well to time-outs IMO.

However....

Maybe you can come up with something specific that he can do while you are getting in in the morning. Maybe some mess-free watercolor paints or colorwonder paints?

Maybe he can have a job with getting the cups/etc ready....where he helps along with you or makes up his own, with your help.

Maybe a little toy backpack with special things like cars, blocks, characters that only comes out during this time of day, so it is special for him.

Think of ways that you can prevent him from being occupied with the stairs, before he goes to them. So that he knows what to do and what is expected of him at that time that gives you the biggest struggle.

I hope you figure out something that works for you.

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

Posted by Melbernai

Post on freecycle also to see if anyone has any gates available. I've seen people post about them before. Maybe you can get a gate or two for free from freecycle and that will help!

I know how it is to move and have the holidays all at once and have a lot of expenses, we have been there before!

Two can be a frustrating age! I have also used time-outs at two and I find that they are a very good age for them. Once they get to 3 or 4 I feel like they are a little more defiant, but at 2 they do respond well to time-outs IMO.

However....

Maybe you can come up with something specific that he can do while you are getting in in the morning. Maybe some mess-free watercolor paints or colorwonder paints?

Maybe he can have a job with getting the cups/etc ready....where he helps along with you or makes up his own, with your help.

Maybe a little toy backpack with special things like cars, blocks, characters that only comes out during this time of day, so it is special for him.

Think of ways that you can prevent him from being occupied with the stairs, before he goes to them. So that he knows what to do and what is expected of him at that time that gives you the biggest struggle.

I hope you figure out something that works for you.

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

Only way I dicipline Mason is threaten him with a singing bear he fears. I know it sounds bad, but I never want to hit him or show him anger. Although I'm sure he's seen me get angry as much as I try to stay calm.
We all have a breaking point... we're women, moms, etc... can't be 100% all the time, but we come close

Kind of works like "elf on a shelf," only it's around all year.

When he isn't listening or misbehaving I just tell him he better listen or I will turn on the bear. He stops and does what he's told. Funny, he could be totally ignoring me and I try everything possible to get his attention. One word "bear" works and he stops. I don't even yell it or anything.

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

Teach him to go up and down stairs safely!! we have no gates..John goes up and down stairs all day.. now he doesn't need to hold on except for the downstairs.


BUT until he learns get the gates!! Big help.. i know.. sorry!!!

oh and TV TV TV!!

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

teach him how to go up and down the stairs.. imo, part of the reason why the kids find them so appealing is because the parent wants to keep them away from it. :)

as for disciplining, because of the situation, I would say to proceed with patience. .I know it's difficult but this is a big change for the little guy.. between the move and not seeing his dad, it all does affect them and they will act out in defiance because of it. I won't say to let him get away with stuff but just try to keep that in the back of your mind.

I would also start doing timeouts when warnings do not work

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

Posted by Linda1003

Teach him to go up and down stairs safely!! we have no gates..John goes up and down stairs all day.. now he doesn't need to hold on except for the downstairs.


BUT until he learns get the gates!! Big help.. i know.. sorry!!!

oh and TV TV TV!!

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

& p.s. time outs don't work with Joey either. . .I'll say sternly "do you want a time out" and he goes "yesss" and walks over to the corner. . . So I've given up on that! lol

I'm currently SLOWLY reading this book (it's taken me a lot longer to read through then I thought)

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

I quietly with no expression pick DD up when she doesn't listen and place her somewhere else. I don't give her any attention at all. If you seem angry or annoyed I find it often makes them do it more if they are looking for a reaction from you. I would pick her up with no expression and say we aren't climbing the stairs and move her to whatever room I'm doing something in and hand her something and have her sit by my feet. If that doesn't work you could try time out.

Re: How to discipline a 2 year old without hitting?

I am in a split also. I had to get 4 gates for this house. We really need another but ikeep putting it off. Now my 18 month old is always on the stairs and my yelling and timeouts did nothing. He goes up ans down the stairs like he owns the place. Nothing can stop my ds , only gates lol