How do you discipline an 11.5 month old?

[harlot]

ds is a very good natured child, but when he's told not to do/touch something he just smiles (a heart-melting, gorgeous toothy smile!). Then does it again!
Have tried:

• the firm 'NO' (accompanied by much stern, eye-level finger-wagging!). he understands and sometimes cries...then does it again;
• increasingly hard tap on back of hand. waste of time and 3yr old dd (an obedient angel) copies by hitting him!;
• warning + sticking him in corridor. shouts for a bit, or goes off exploring quite happily.

He's disobedient with such charm I think he's a born gentleman criminal. or maybe a politician... Anyway, IS it actually important to be disciplining them at this age? Am I going to end up on a reality TV parenting programme in 2 yrs time with an uncontrollable toddler terrorist and viewers tutting at how I let it all get out of hand (like I do, aaarghh!). What do you do?

i think you are doign the right thing
id not smak until they enter terribel twos where i ocasionalyl woudl tap hand
dont do it any more

think too young fro corner

id also distracct as much as poss

'No' and distraction at this age, I wouldn't attempt naughty step till around 18 months.

harlot I have an 11mth old I just do the very stern no with lots of head shaking. DD now sometimes even does the head shake before she goes to do something naughty. Also distraction/moving away. I dont really do smacking as like you also have a 3.1yr old DS who is in a hitting phase at the min so dont want to hit slap DD then tell him off for slapping IYKWIM.

Just say no and move him away, it wont make much difference but if you do it all the time he'll learn as he gets older. I think its easier to just completely baby proof the house, avoids the problem really.

Ummm. 'No' isn't working though... You reckon it'll work over time?

(House is pretty baby-proof but the child is an adventurer. And I DO want him to know that certain things are out of bounds because I SAY so! may be unreasonable at this age. I don't know).

Its a tough one Harlot. I dont think he will learn yet. My ds is 14months old and knows what no to do but still does it. He's just started to test his boundrys. For example
When were in the bathroom running his bath he always goes for the toilette brush. Because its filthy Ive always been very firm that he cant play with it. I say NO firmly and move him away from it. I always do it. Now when he aproaches it he looks at me in anticipation to see whether I say no or not. I do and he loses interest. So I think if you are consistant with the firm NO. It will start to work.

harlot it is their age and the testing the boundaries bit. He possibly doesnt even understand it completely but it is just a case of repition. I think DS was around 17mths when I started using time out but he was also a lot 'older' in personality than DD.

At this age they are programmed to overcome any 'barriers' (including you) in their way, and to keep trying, and keep trying. How else would they learn to walk, if they gave up at the first sign of it being difficult? It's expecting much to much of a little child to overcome all their programming and learn to obey at this age, and I am very pleased that you have stopped hitting his hand.
Avoid battles - if you start battles now, all you will do is give him an idea of how furious, loud and forcful he is capable of being, which will create problems later on. Distract, distract, distract, and do everything you can to nurture his sunny nature. Play 'taking turn' games - giving and taking abck objects, and things which involve co-operation.

Prob less stressful for you if you just accept he has limited understanding... 'no' and distraction is your best hope for another 6 mths, imho. Keep saying it, he'll get it in the end.

Another example
The other day I was doing my hair in my bedroom, ds was in there with me causing havok. To try and distract him I gave him 2 glass pots and loads of coppers. He put the coins in the pot one by one, every now and then he went to put a coin in his mouth. I said NO not in your mouth, in the glass. Then put it in the glass for him. He carried on playing then every now and then he'd look up at me and go to put one in his mouth again. Id say NO and he wouldnt do it. I think he's just starting to understand.

Thanks for reassurance! appreciated.

So my advice would be to carry on saying NO, but dont expect him to really understand for another few months. I know its anoying, but there really isnt much else to do.