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discipline for 2 year old

5 replies

sarahgg · 23/08/2007 22:39

My dd2 is about to turn 2 and has been a handful since birth. My dd1 was a text book child, responsive to praise and reacted to discipline reasonably quickly - 2 'no's' would be enough. But dd2 will play fantastically well one moment then literally punch her sister in the face, or find something naughty to do the next. She will go from giving you an affectionate cuddle to scratching your face til it bleeds. I use the naughty stair, to which she loves to go and sing and laugh. I will put her in her cot, which she absolutely loves, still singing. When we are in the car she will destroy her car seat, when I tell her not to she will pretend to be asleep. Today she cuddled the cat and then picked her up by her neck! Her family all love her, but recognise she is always on the move and looking for her next trick. She does not respond to any form of discipline from any one. I am exhausted. She is such a happy child but I am at my wits end. When she attacks her sister it is always without provocation, dd1 is extremely tolerant but withstands much from her sister, who is insanely jelous of any attention dd1 gets from me or her dad. I find myself wishing we had never had her, she is making family life so hard, but in the middle of it she is stupidly happy, some times she is the only one. She start nursery next week, and I am hoping she may improve her behaviour, if she manages to last the week! God help them.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LadyOfTheFlowers · 23/08/2007 22:45

will be watching this with interest.
i have a similar situation with ds1 who has just turned 2. he attacks ds2 (11m) violently and scratched a little girls face in the softplay centre today.

Othersideofthechannel · 24/08/2007 05:31

Sarahgg, on a day to day basis this behaviour must very exasperating but she sounds lovely. Happy with a big sense of what is fun (for her!)

I'm not sure there is a lot you can do to discipline a child this age apart from briefly pointing out why you don't like the behaviour eg 'scratching hurts mummy' and distraction.

Sounds like she is doing a lot of it to get your attention. Have you tried ignoring the bad behaviour and praising the good behaviour?

littlerach · 24/08/2007 07:28

Dd2 is just 3 but is similar to how you describe your dd2.
She has got a lot easier in the ast 6 onths, and she and dd1 get on much better now, though still not that well.
I have found that dd2 needs to have somehting t do all the time, it is when she is left to her own devices that she is most difficult. She is also mor elikely ot be violent when dd1 is here unfortunately.
We have used the naughty step which works more as she is older, especially when this is couple dwith dd1 having a huge cuddle with me. Also, we take toys away if dd2 is unkind. This does work now.

I od sympathise as it is awful seeing her attacking dd1. Stay consistent and it will get better as she gets older. Nursery mayhelp tpp.

My mum thinks dd2 is wonderful as she is so full of energy and very funny. But when she sees her in a rage then does sympathise - and reminds me that this is how my younger sister was with me.

chinwag · 24/08/2007 08:21

I found 'Toddler Taming' by Dr Green very useful at this age.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 24/08/2007 23:36

i actually have that book somewhere!
must dig it out!
what a pilchard i am!

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