CHALLENGING/ATTENTION SEEKING BEHAVIOUR

[Lifeinagoldfishbowl]

I am unsure what the best path to follow with regarding attention seeking behaviour in dc aged 2.6

What techniques have you found to have worked?

I find meal times and bed times stressfull as

1. he will not tidy up before dinner as asked, he will not sit at the table, he throws tantrums and he demands to be spoon fed.

1. he does not want to go to bed, can open his stair gate and come downstairs, he needs a variety of things he doesn't need etc etc.

I know I should pick my battles and this too shall pass but have you got any advice I can write out on a post it and stick on my fridge to remind me in my time of need

okay

pick your battles

let tidy up time go for now

if he won't sit to table then back in the highchair

what does he do if you say no to spoonfeeding?

get a stairgate that he can't open - the roller blind style ones are v tricky

kiddyguard spenny but worth it

we don't have a high chair but our booster chair has straps so thats an idea.

he moans/creates/yells if we don't spoon feed him - so dp does as it's easier than the noise

when would you tidy up though? not that this is a major consideration [lol]

well limit the toys available and rotate over time for a starter, less then to clear up. Also try to tidy up at different points of the day, say after morning snack, instead of before lunch; make it a race complete with Benny Hill-style over-exaggeration

wrt to the spoonfeeding, DS has sussed that squawking = I'll get fed, clever wee thing

I would just use the broken record technique with that, ie 'you are a Big Boy and can do it yourself' no need to get into dialogue about it, chat about stuff that happened in the day, ignore pleas and entreaties

good luck

Go to library and get a few books on behaviour management? I was given Toddler Taming by my HV was DS1 was only 18 months old - he's now nearly 18 and it's still in our local library and has some good advice!

For quick tips: 1. be consistent - don't give in to him getting down from table/stairs at bedtime, without being taken straight back and told he has to stay.

1. Jo Frost(Supernanny's) bedtime routines are great - you probably know it, but it's basically, first time they come out say 'back to bed sweet heart', second time, just 'back to bed', then don't say anything and just keep putting them back. Your DC might seem a little young for this at mo,but it's worth trying - it usually gets worse before better and takes about 2/3 nights of hell!

1. spoon-feeding demands can go on and on (my DD was 5 and still demanding - not getting though!) Again, be firm, but this is a tricky one cos it can be so draining - three meals a day!

Hope it gets better - just remember, they are called the terrible two's for a reason!

Good sound advice from caitlin. Ignore tidy up yes important and would help you tons but don't worry for now. Defo use booster seat and agree with dp that spoonfeeding not necc and ds got him under thumb ( have had to try this tack with dh cos keeps getting ds dressed)
Bedtime is hard one have to spend few days maybe weeks keep taking him back no talking (I really struggle with this) we have peaks and troughs on this one specially early rising and coming up to wake us up!

It's so hard I find it very stressful too had to laugh other day cos dh getting very het up about mealtime. I could hear him constantly telling them off whilst I was tidying up!!

Good luck