Laughing in the face of discipline

[Mbalm8]

My 2 yo is a very happy, laid back boy but this is proving difficult for discipline. I'm struggling with the occasions when I have to be authoritative cause he just laughs in my face! Times when I use my "I mean business" voice are for biting/hitting or when I've already given asked him multiple times to do something and he's still not. He usually laughs and runs away.
Time out has minimal effect as he runs away laughing. Time out in his cot isn't much better cause when I go back to have the "do you know why you're here talk" he doesn't listen or he laughs. If I try the "look at me" and hold his arms in place he laughs or hits and so we go round in circles and i start feeling really frustrated.
He has a priced elephant and I'm considering putting the elephant in time out to see if that gets through to him!
Hubby things he's entertained by my reaction. But I don't want to brush off naughty behaviour. Is he just too young to really discipline effectively (he's a week from his second birthday)? Any suggestions?

[amarmai]

Yes 2 years old is too young for these disciplinary methods. He needs to be dealt with at his level. Time out is not a method that will work at his stage either. Maybe try story telling about an elephant that wd not stop-.but keep the story light =no disastrous results for the elephant.Try ignoring and walking away when he does something you dont want him to do. Any attention to a behaviour will reinforce the behaviour. Distraction is another way to interupt a pattern of behaviour you do not want. Sometimes just turn your head away or close your eyes.

[Ferguson]

I never like the use of cot or bed as a 'punishment', as that should be THE place where a baby/toddler can feel safe and secure. Putting negative emotions onto it may introduce sleep problems later on.

But try to ANTICIPATE any 'naughty' behaviour, by removing temptations or possible conflicts BEFORE they arise (not easy, I know!). Like in driving, you need to anticipate for the possible mistakes of others.

Keep him busy and happy with worthwhile activities or entertainments; praise and reward GOOD behaviour, and keep 'idle' time for him to a minimum (again, not easy if you are busy with other things.)