Dealing with 19mth old's "bad" behaviour.

[SeaShellsOnTheSeaShore]

Ds is a lovely smiley little boy, very independant but also loves cuddles with me and dh, but I have trouble disiplining him, and if he is anything like dh at a young age he will stubborn and argumentative at times. I have another on the way and need tactics!

Ignoring doesn't work- he is invariably doing something dangerous or trashing the house ( walk back in the room to find him stood on the sofa waiting for me to see him run down it, or throwing food at the dog as dinner time for example)

distraction doesn't work. Sometimes the only thing is to take him out for a walk as distraction in the same room doesn't work.

He justs laughs hysterically at time out and runs back in - I also have a small flat so v limited space.

I am short tempered, hormonal and rapidly turning in to shouty parent - HELP, he is going to run me ragged when bump arrives, the thought of bfing and chasing him fills me with dread.

Sorry for the essay, it's been playing on dh and my mind for a while!

What is it about MN today??

19moth old's do not have 'bad' behaviour. You need to head him off before he starts and get out of the flat everyday. Burn some energy. Keep him occupied.

You have to entertain him, teach him how to throw a ball in a bucket, build stuff....

there is no quick fix just constant reminding and showing good behaviour, they do not talk about the terrible twos for nothing....my 18 month old has been in terrible two mode since 11 months!!

I know they don't have bad beh, that's why it was in quotation marks, it's easily understood even though we all know it's not purposefully bad.

Just wondered if anyone had any suggestions, as I do alot of what you suggest, but wondered if there was an alternative to "no" and him carrying on doing it.

I agree about getting out, if DS (19 months) is playing up then it's usually excess energy and even just a quick walk around the block can help.

Simply, there's no alternative. One day 'no' will work, but it's a long time coming! My ds is 18months, nearly 19 and he's just the same. He also has rages that last for over twenty minutes, but he's my fourth and so I know he'll just get through it. I would ensure with a new baby that you have somewhere safe, out of reach, for the baby!!

As far as trashing things goes, can you up your level of 'toddler proofing' by moving things out of reach. I've recently done this and it has lowered my stress levels as I'm not having to pick up as much stuff that has been pulled out of drawers etc. Put those plastic cupboard locks on etc

Lol posie, you lo sounds v similar! I guess I'm frustrated as I want to take him out all the time as he has so much energy, but the flip side is the pg is making me shattered

Baby will definately need a "safe zone", the dog already has one, and dh and I are tempted to have one ourselves to save us from a rampaging toddler!

I have finaly found a child gate that fits the kitchen entrance (no door and rental so can screw things in) so stress levels dropping!