Have coped with irrational toddler behaviour ok, I ignored tantrums and now she doesn't really have them (tho imagine that they are coming) and she is mostly well behaved.
However, had a difficult dinner time tonight and a bit of a long day with DD and I'm wondering how to cope as she gets more and more articulate, bossy and demanding. I can mostly "talk her down" from crossness at not getting her own way but this eve she was just being wilfully naughty, throwing food, splashing water on table and at me, hitting me and trying to tip her chair back after being told not to.
Normally I would have ended the meal early, bathed her and then offered her the same meal later (hopefully more relaxed and hungrier!) but we are off on hols tmw and I needed her to eat well so she'll sleep well, plus I was already at end of tether so told her they wdn't let her fly unless she had a good supper 
What do you do when they are just trying to be naughty? When she hit my arm, repeatedly, I was really cross but couldn't think of anything scary enough to say!! Am normally really good at it! I said that wasn't nice behaviour, you're making me sad, I might cry etc. but emotional blackmail obv not the way forward. Did feel sad tho that she was trying to hurt me!
Am really not sure she would "get" the naughty step. If it's all attention seeking, is it better to send her to another room and close the door for a minute or 2? Do not want to scare her.
I am generally very strong on consequences and she knows this so wd consider punishments related to this. Have not threatened to take things away, scooter would probably be worst for her.