Naughty step at home, but what when we are out?

[Mum2Ela]

DD (2.5 yrs) is generally well behaved but of course has tantrums, don't they all? I use the naughty step in the hosue which works very well but this morning we went swimming and her behaviour was appalling - she was tired but that is no excuse.

By the end of the trip I literally dragged her to the car, belted her in, and just ignored her crying and screaming and then saying sorry all the way home.

How should I handle this sort of situation in the future? Anyone have any strategies?

... Is Supernanny in the house?!

[Jimjams]

I just point to anything remotely step like and ask ds2 if he wants to sit on the naughty step. usually works (but he is quite an easy going child- I know children that wouldn't work for). The only problem I have is ds2 wanting to know why ds1 never has to go on the naughty step.....

[Bozza]

Its really difficult. I do use naughty step at other people's houses (well not so much now because DS is a bit older). Think you really just have to do what you did. Swimming is one of the worst places if you are actually in the water because you can't just ignore.

[tassis]

We find steps in a lot of places too - other peoples houses, shops, some cafes etc. I usually just have to threaten it at the moment as ds hates it so much!

[Mum2Ela]

I use a naughty step at mil's house and my parents, but at public places I think DD may find it a bit funny (funny ha ha, not funny weird) sitting on a step in the middle of a busy leisure centre. Think she may be a bit young to understand it iyswim.

Do you think warning her and then doing the count to three thing if she does it again, and say I will take away something at home for th rest of the day (eg. her dressing up box). Or do you think she is a bit young for that too?

I know that atm we threaten too much and don't follow through with the threat, which I need to speak to DH about and stop this cos obv it will only confuse her even more.

[floppsy]

Try to distract her,make out you saw something & ask her if she saw it too that usually works if your outside.Was it anything in particular she was having a tantrum about?

[Mum2Ela]

tbh I think she has cottonned on to the distraction technique which I have always used. He shouts no, stop! at me now if I try to do that.

She had several mini tantrums abotu various things rangin from the fact that my sister (10 yrs old) had more water in her cup than her, to her wnating to push the pushchair with DS in but intsead of just asking me (I would have let her obv) she just went off on one!

I know they were all realted to her being tired cos she usually loves the leisure centre and lunch after, watching everyone swimming, but I need some strategies for the future!

[KarenThirl]

When ds was that age I'd stagger our shopping trips so that we did one shop I needed followed by something he wanted to do. Eg, I'd do the toiletries shopping in Boots then he could have a look at the toys. It worked well because I had something to hold over him at every stage. Last on the list was always an opportunity for him to spend a couple of pounds of his own money, and as he'd die rather than miss out on that it seemed to work OK.

[Fio2]

i tell him if he doesnt behave I will throw his thomnas the tank engine on thee fire when we get home or I will phone his dad

[Mum2Ela]

bump in case anyone else has any ideas

[deegward]

I have told both my boys that I can find a naughty anywhere! I would say sitting on the side of the pool, on benches, or if in a shop, I march them outside, and you turn their body away from you so no eye contact,and then do your 1 minute for each year thing. I wasn't strict with ds1 at this age and boy did I pay the price. Much stricter with ds2

[TwoIfBySea]

Our naughty step idea didn't work as the hallway is too interesting, too much stuff in it. So we use a naughty corner and you can find those everywhere! If not we adapt to use the naughty chair for dst (3).

Just adapt, I've found that if you use the word naughty in front of where you plan the punishment it gets the attention more than the fact it isn't your step you are using.

[hatsoff]

If i want dd2 to do something when we're out I'll tell her that I'll count to three and threaten - either "I'll do it to you like a baby" (ie I'll grab her and put her shoes on for her - which she HATES); or that I'll put her in the push chair agian, if she's walking she HATES this, or that I'll take something away (usually the teddy she has with her. Threatening to leave her usually focuses her mind. It's a gamble coz it's a threat you can't really carry out, but I think you can walk far enough away for them to think you have and she ALWAYS comes running. screaming too, mind.