How would you discipline a 21 month old

[Justine2912]

I have just ended up with a bust lip from my DS, he was sitting in his highchair and decided to launch Roary the racing car at me!!!!

This is becoming a regular habit and I need to get it sorted before it gets worse but he doesnt seem to see reason and just laughs!!

This morning when he did this, I wanted to throw the car back at him but didnt and stopped him playing with his cars took him into the room and shut the door for a minute, not sure if this worked though

Any ideas??

throwing is aggravating isn't it?

no point throwing back or taking things away - i just don't think a 21 month old gets that

a firm and stern "No, we don't throw things" each time is ok

and over praising the good behaviour as well

You can't discipline a baby, he has no idea that it hurts or that he is doing anything wrong. It is a fun game to him.
I would agree with RubySlippers. Make sure that you give a firm 'no' each time; don't let one pass or laugh in some situations-you have to be consistent in the message.

Def don't throw back - he'll think it's a great game

Depending how much he understands (personally think 21months is old enough for immediate consequences myself), you could try and catch him before he lobs it, and say 'oh lovely car on the table broom broom' and model what he SHOULD do with it... if he goes to lob, ' NO throwing, put it on the table - hurrah !'.

Personally, I would take things away if he was hurting me/others with them. But I would try to give a warning 'eg if you throw that, I will take it away'. I then try and give it back after a couple of minutes and emphasise what they should do with it (to reinforce the good behaviour). I also wouldn't do it as a scary, cross 'punishment' at this age, more a judgement that oops, he is not really able to play with this sensibly right now, let's offer something else to play with.

But like all parenting, nothing works 'immediately' and you have to experiment and judge your own kids.

Think your option of getting out of the way is a good one too - hate seeing parents getting hit/kicked/thrown at because they just sit there

Are there any warning signs?

Does it happen in specific places or at specific times?

tbh imo you haven't got much chance of teaching him not to do this. It is a brief phase and will pass, or he'll grow up a little more and understand not to do it.

I think I'd probably say "no, we don't throw toys at people" or whatever, and possibly take the toy away, but I wouldn't hold my breath here.

21 mos don't have a concept of reason, but he will, very very soon.

But for now I'd just try to avoid situations where this can happen, if possible.

I would say STOP/NO, stern look, take the car and show him what you're supposed to do with it ie roll it around on table VROOM VROOM, with happy look. Try to get him to copy what you've done with car and lots of praise afterwards.

yes. what feelinglucky said
(way more succinctly than me!

yes but you have to get inside the mind of a 21 month old

he has TRIED vrooom vroom and it was ok but clearly he needs to up the ante

LOL true - you might need to show him a new trick (ooh look how the cars can run up your arms and down your tummy!)