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Disciplining a 2 year old

post #1 of 13
2/8/06 at 9:52am
Thread Starter 
Let me just tell you, in the words of Elvis Presley, Justin has become a "devil in disguise"!! I don't know what to do with him anymore. I know it is the 2's, but I also know Brandon was not this bad!!

Justin does not listen to ANYTHING. He tells me no to everythign I say. He looks me smack in the eyes, smiles, and does what I just told him not to. We went to Moes last night (they had Chickfilet) and while I stood in line, he ran around the whole restaurant. Nothing I said or did made a difference. I finally had to put him in a high chair and strap his butt down. Then he dumps his drink all over himself and the floor. We get home, I put them to bed. He gets up and will not go back to bed. I had to pick him up and deposit him none so gently into the bed. I spanked him, I yelled at him. Finally I just left the room and let him scream.

Time out is a joke, spanking does nothing, talking or yelling does nothing. Any suggestions before I lose my mind? I am worried to death what is going to happen when the baby comes, when I don't have control over this one. John says the middle one is always wild, but he is not a middle one yet.....


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post #2 of 13
2/8/06 at 10:07am
It's hard when they're so little. Have you tried taking away toys? With Joey, it was always money - if he misbehaved, I made him give me a quarter out of his bank, which he hated. Now, at age 6, we're up to a dollar. He doesn't have to do it often, but he cries every time he does.

Not much help here.
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post #3 of 13
2/8/06 at 11:05am
it must be the name justin !! mine is the same he laughs at you doesn't listen .. granted he's only 2 but come on .. i have to say he is the one i have a hard time with ..he doesn't talk yet has no intrest in it.. i try .. so that makes it harder.. i hope things get better for you !!
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post #4 of 13
2/8/06 at 11:25am
Zachary was easy at 2. I would just pick him up under his arms and deposit him on a chair with a firm no and he would get so upset even that I was angry with him that he would stop everything. It's a different story now.
I think you need a spot where he is stuck to stick him in imediately every time he does something like that. He can climb over a playpen or baby gate at his age though can't he? Maybe putting him in a highchair is a good idea.
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post #5 of 13
2/8/06 at 12:18pm
Thread Starter 
Elaine, there is nothing to hold the kid back. He climbs out of everything. I guess I am just going to have to be firm about it while we are at home, but taking him out is a nightmare. And of course, it is worse when it is just me, he listens much better when DH is around.
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post #6 of 13
2/8/06 at 12:20pm
LOL, he sounds like a normal 2 yr old. Did you try holding his hand when you were waiting in the restaurant? They have such a short attention span at that age. Maybe try putting him in his stroller the next time you have to wait somewhere. That way he is strapped in and can't get away. I would give him some toys, and a drink or snack.

If Nick doesn't listen to me I stand him in the corner(nose to the wall, hands behind his back) for 2 min. He HATES it. I have to stand there with him, but it seems to get the point across. All I have to do is mention it and he straightens up. If he has a really hard time I put him in his room for 15 min or so.

Does he have his own room? I would take the light bulb out, and put a door knob cover on the inside of the door. Then put him to bed, say goodnight, and leave. It might take a couple of days to get used to it, but eventually he will have no choice but to go to bed if it's dark and he can't get out.
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post #7 of 13
2/8/06 at 12:44pm
Thread Starter 
Tara, I do try holding his hand. He falls to the ground, pulls away, etc. They had food. He had a happy meal with drink. Didn't matter .... I think I have become lax, at least around the house, just because of the pregnancy and being sick, but no more. I very rarely use the stroller anymore, but I guess that needs to come back out too. He shares a room with Brandon.
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post #8 of 13
2/8/06 at 12:58pm
Nick falls on the floor to, lol. I have to pick him up and hold him, but I understand that would be hard for you since you are pregnant. I remember how hard it was when he was smaller while I was pregnant, I couldn't imagine lifting him now that he is bigger. I let things slide when I was pregnant to. It took everything I had just to get through the day. Maybe things will get better after the baby is born.
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post #9 of 13
2/8/06 at 1:29pm
This is what I do. If Elizabeth does not listen to me...I start counting...when I get to 3 if she hasn't stopped doing what I have asked she eithers get into time out or a spanking. I have to go back and forth from time out to spanking...after a while one doesn't work. Her time out is in the corner...nose to wall. She screams each time, but when it is over I explain why she was in time out and she has to say "I'm Sorry"

For Justin I think I would start taking toys out of his room or where ever he plays at. Maybe do a reward thing...like make something to put on the wall and explain to him what it is and how it works...at the end of the week he could get a treat from a treasure box.

I remember watching Super Nanny...she would have a time out spot...she would explain the spot...most of the time the child got up every second, but finally it worked. But the key is to be firm. I remember Eric telling me I had a little voice and Elizabeth wouldn't listen to me. I think his mind has changed...I am just a loud as he is...Elizabeth knows the tone of my voice when I am mad.

I have also found that when Elizabeth acts up a lot...most of the time I have been busy doing what ever that needs to be done. I sit down with her and spend a little time with her....either playing with toys or reading a book. After that she seems like a different child. She is more calm.

I don't know if any of this will work, but I thought I would tell you things I have thought about.
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post #10 of 13
2/8/06 at 1:44pm
we are in the same world right now, though at 3.

Dh actually got asked last night if he was abusiing Logan on the way to the truck.

Logan wanted to come to the car and was having a fit so dh had to literally pull him accross the parking lot to the truck

I hope things get better Jennifer!
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post #11 of 13
2/8/06 at 2:15pm
It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I think the main thing is to be consistent. Make sure he knows without a doubt what his consequence will be if he doesn't behave. Maybe you can do a reward system when you go out. If he behaves he gets a sticker or something but if he doesn't he gets one taken away. I try to use a stroller when I'm in public with Christian that way he can't run away, etc. Christian misbehaves when he doesn't think he's getting enough one on one time.

I hope you find something that works.
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post #12 of 13
2/8/06 at 2:42pm
Sounds like my dd. Persistance is all I can say. My dd was exactly like this. We sent her to her room a lot and phsyically restrained her. Yelling didn't work on her either. She's a lot better now that we used to be. I feel your pain.
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post #13 of 13
2/8/06 at 3:33pm
Thread Starter 
Great advice ladies, I will try or retry some of it. I know consistancy is the battle, but I just can't seem to find the energy lately.
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