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Original poster

To tell my almost 12 month old “no”

89 replies

scarybuttrue · 17/09/2025 11:51

Is it too early to teach “no”?
There are things I don’t want him to touch, like the telly etc.
I have said no and he laughs, I’m not sure if he understands. Is it too early to start discipline?
He will be one in just over 2 weeks.

OP posts:
SouthLondonMum22 · 17/09/2025 12:04

Of course not. How else will they learn? He might not understand it just yet but he soon will.

hshshshhdaujhwgwva · 17/09/2025 12:01

Magenta82 · 17/09/2025 11:53

What do you mean by "start discipline"?

There is nothing wrong with saying no, you should be setting boundaries. Say "no" and move the thing, or him, away, whichever is easier.

Agree. Do this. You are allowed to say no to your children. And around age 1 is where they figure out things like pinching mummy to see what happens.

They don’t need harsh discipline, just a simple no, that hurts and don’t let them pinch you (or whatever). You can put them on the floor, stand up so they can’t reach you etc. Do this for whatever they are doing that needs a No. No, you cannot climb on that, remove them. No, you cannot play with that, take it off them and give them something they can play with instead.

Redirecting them works well at this age. By about 18 months to 2 years they will start asserting their autonomy more and if this is the first time they ever hear No you will have a much harder job on your hands. Boundaries are important.

They soon learn which is the goal of discipline - teaching your child acceptable behaviour. It doesn’t have to mean punishing them.

LittleMonks11 · 17/09/2025 12:01

You can tell him no but at that age he will just ignore you. You wouldn’t leave the room and say ‘and don’t move until I get back’ and expect that to happen. To ‘discipline’ a 1 year old sounds a bit heavy handed which is what led to the previous comment I suspect.

RuthW · 17/09/2025 12:01

Surely you start saying no from
a few months old.

childofthe607080s · 17/09/2025 12:00

say no

lift him up and distract him

Lafufufu · 17/09/2025 12:00

I say no or uh-uh! and redirect or remove object....

Fairly standard.
There is no discipline or punishment its keeping them safe.

My 18m old son constantly does this face when we tell him no but he knows what no means and stops... (its not showing but the Pedro pascal massive grinning face meme)

wingingitandsoaring · 17/09/2025 11:59

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 17/09/2025 11:56

It’s absolutely terrifying that people are allowed to have children without having the most basic clue about child development and parenting.

Wow you are so judgmental. How do people learn if not by asking others?

Original poster
scarybuttrue · 17/09/2025 11:59

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 17/09/2025 11:56

It’s absolutely terrifying that people are allowed to have children without having the most basic clue about child development and parenting.

Well he’s only just becoming mobile and into everything so until now he’s just sat where I sat him.

OP posts:
pmtorpmdd · 17/09/2025 11:57

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 17/09/2025 11:56

It’s absolutely terrifying that people are allowed to have children without having the most basic clue about child development and parenting.

It’s also absolutely terrifying that when a new parent asks for help and advice they are judged and criticised.

Original poster
scarybuttrue · 17/09/2025 11:57

Magenta82 · 17/09/2025 11:53

What do you mean by "start discipline"?

There is nothing wrong with saying no, you should be setting boundaries. Say "no" and move the thing, or him, away, whichever is easier.

Yes he keeps crawling back towards the telly and I say no but he crawls straight back.
I mean discipline as in teaching him right from wrong.

OP posts:
BuffetTheDietSlayer · 17/09/2025 11:56

It’s absolutely terrifying that people are allowed to have children without having the most basic clue about child development and parenting.

RedNine · 17/09/2025 11:56

Magenta82 · 17/09/2025 11:53

What do you mean by "start discipline"?

There is nothing wrong with saying no, you should be setting boundaries. Say "no" and move the thing, or him, away, whichever is easier.

Yep do this.

Overthebow · 17/09/2025 11:55

Surely you start saying no whenever it’s needed? My dd got told no and the thing moved when she was 5 months old and reaching for things.

Magenta82 · 17/09/2025 11:53

What do you mean by "start discipline"?

There is nothing wrong with saying no, you should be setting boundaries. Say "no" and move the thing, or him, away, whichever is easier.