Naughty Baby! Naughty Baby!

[NotQuiteCockney]

This is DS1(4)'s favourite expression at the moment. He says it with great enthusiasm at DS2 (15m), whenever DS2 does something he doesn't like.

I don't like saying "naughty". I try to criticise the behaviour, not the child, etc etc.

So how do I stop my 4 year old from disciplining my toddler, inappropriately? (And how do I keep from cracking up while doing it?)

God knows. Both Inferiorettes do it also to the cat and their toys. "You norty norty NORTY girl," I hear them, as I desperately try and re-route them into a rather more right-on style.

I don't mind if my cats get disciplined inappropriately. But DS2 really listens to DS1! And will presumably grow up to be a somewhat functioning member of society. I don't expect that much of the cats.

DS1 also does horrible things, on the grounds that DS2 told him to do them. I've asked DS2 to explain to me how he gets DS1 to do things, as he's evidently better at it than me, with no luck.

Oh, DD1 does it a bit to DD2 as well (although frankly some of DD2's behaviour atm is bloody norty). I try somewhat feebly to say 'yes that is a naughty thing to do', but clearly am a bit pathetic about it.

Ds1 does this to ds2 - he even says to me 'mummy give him a smack' I've smacked on occasion but it's certainly not the norm in our house so it shocks me a bit. I just say 'excuse me, it's none of your business, I'm in charge, I'm a mummy, you are not' - that sort of thing.

Rubbish really.

I have tried all sorts with my DD of 3 and my DS of 2 and they just find it all very funny. I have also smacked their hands but am riddled with guilt on the day that I don't do it as a rule. What else can we do??

My ds (3.9) does this too about ds2 (13m) and says he needs a smack or to go on the naughty step!!

He also said today, 'I told you my life would be easier if we didnt have a baby Mummy!!'

My DD has started doing this - she is 2.8 yrs old.

She tries to pull DS who is 8 mths away from danger or tells him off, says "no" to him or "naughty ds" etc. I do tell her that its for Mummy to tell DS.

But, since she also says "ds is a good boy" or "good/clever boy ds" i suppose she's balanced about it

He he!

My dd said to me today "ello love". By miraculous coincidence we have builders in our house at the moment......

I don't mind DS1 pulling DS2 away from danger, although I am trying to teach him to lure him away, instead.

I just honestly don't know where he's getting "naughty baby! naughty!" from! I never tell him he's naughty, never even use that word. I do say he's done a bad thing etc, but still!

Maybe it's a school thing ...

Yes the problem with the older sibling pulling the younger one away from danger is that they end up flat on the floor with a lump on their head instead IME. I frequently say to DS (4.10) that I am the mummy, not him, so I will tell DD (1.7) what she should be doing.

Although I have to say that DD doesn't listen to DS in the slightest, so it's less of an issue for me. She, OTOH, takes great delight in shouting DS when she thinks its a mealtime or time to go out or whatever. Quite often she is wrong.

DS2 absolutely adores DS1. And DS1 is generally pretty good to him. He'll find toys that he knows his brother would enjoy, gets them out for him. He's very sharing with his stuff (so far), and really quite patient with his brother.

I guess I should say, he's excellent with him, really. I should count myself lucky, shouldn't I.

Yes it sounds like you are.

When I said that DD doesn't take any notice of DS - I meant his attempts at discipline. Otherwise she loves him - if DS is doing something she has to be doing it too. And obviously that's not always ideal from his point of view. Like your DS1 though he is fairly patient about it all, although he does try and pull her away from things and that can end in tears, she went through a phase of really hitting him and he didn't hit back at all which I thought was really good of him.