Disciplining Toddler

[Earl Aelfheah]

I have an 18 month old child and she is becoming very challenging, hitting and throwing tantrums when she doesn't get her own way. I am not sure how best to discourage this behaviour - she seems to understand when I speak to her, but her language is limited so it's hard to be sure what she comprehends. I was thinking of using a 'naughty step' when I believe that she is deliberately acting up, but is she too young for this?

[womanofdulwich]

I think you should try and avoid giving her attention when she is naughty- try a naughty step , but just walking away as much as you can is better ( oh so easy to say this I know!) versus ful on attention and priase when they do something good.

[Lochie]

Am having exactly the same problem as you rahrahrah with 18mo boy. I thought it was to do with gender but am glad to hear its not!

Lots of throwing stuff around for attention. My husband is very good at trying to tackle this and sits him on the sofa and does a countdown from 10 until he stops crying. Recently he has found this funny and our playgroup teacher says that is because counting is 'fun' for him. So instead I've tried to put him in an empty plan pen and walk away from him for 5 minutes. However I have no way of knowing if this is sucessful, as like you, our toddler cannot communicate with words yet (but he can understand what we are saying the majority of the time). I think part of the frustration for him is just this - that he cannot yet communicate with words but can understand what we are saying - we are getting alot of pointing and shaking of the head as he tries with great difficulty to signal what he wants! So perhaps this will pass when they can talk?

Another frustration is that when I try and remove him from a situation in which is he being a bit naughty (e.g. stealing toys from other children), he really pinches and scratches extremely hard, I have lots of scrataches on my neck and arms at the moment! I lost my rag yesterday in Sainsbury's car park when putting him in the car seat against his will and shouted 'STOP PINCHING' really loudly at which point he laughed in my face....another point to him!

Sorry don't have any tips but just wanted to say am in same boat and am sure it'll get a bit better when the words start flowing (please god say it does!)...