need some help please...how do i...

[heyhey0987]

entertain and discipline two year olds in a house?

i know this sounds pathetic but im currently a nanny in a nanny share arrangement and i look after 2 year olds (boy & girl.

i currently finding it hard to entertain two year olds because @ that age they do not want to listen and i constantly being told NO from them both!

they dont want me to do nothing for them they dont even want to say bye to me when i go it is bringing me down a bit because i am really trying my hardest doing painting, drawing playing with mega bricks playing football in garden etc
i know they act like this with their mums because i have seen them do this but i dont know how to "discipline" them when they dont listen i do put them in naughty corner but that doesnet seem to work for long.

(i have nannyd them for about 3 weeks now and there parents dont want me to take them out that much until they get to know me more and listen but this is the problem)

please help guys if youve been in any situations like this preferbly child minders and nannies (as they are no your children)

thanks guys

You need to get out before you go nuts, have you a local children centre near you that they would be happy for you to go to or a walk to the park or even just in a double buggy round the block!!
They are also bored staying in, theres only so much drawing etc that can be done.
If they won't let you go out, you could try building dens with sheets and boxes, doing mini assault courses round the garden,chalk on the patio, painting fences with water.

You need to get out before you go nuts, have you a local children centre near you that they would be happy for you to go to or a walk to the park or even just in a double buggy round the block!!
They are also bored staying in, theres only so much drawing etc that can be done.
If they won't let you go out, you could try building dens with sheets and boxes, doing mini assault courses round the garden,chalk on the patio, painting fences with water.

yes there are some local playgroups but it is their parents who want their children to get to know me before we go out.

and their also going through the stage of crying constantly when their parents leave so it makes it harder for me to get them to do even simple tasks like putting on their jacket or changeing their nappy!

With toddlers you need to get out and about, they need the exercise. You mention a garden so until you are allowed further afield, use the garden as much as possible.

Today 2 year old I care for enjoyed washing the wheel barrow, helping me hang out the washing by handing me pegs and counting pegs plus playing in the sandpit. Toddlers like to copy what you do, thus washing things - so put some plastic items in a washing up bowl and let them washup outdoors.

One of each gender... they will have different interests, so you need to work out what each likes and also what they BOTH like. Some things may be able to be combined together, such as having a Dinosaur Teaparty.

thanks 4 the reply nannynick
yes i do get them in the garden as much as possible but i think its more they dont want me to do anything for them if i offer all i get is a loud NO its makin me feel as if im doing something wrong

Toddlers favourite word is NO. It's one they hear quite a lot.

What sort of things are you trying to do for them, could you give some examples?

Some things are not debatable... if they have done a poo in their nappy, then it needs changing. Two year olds don't always want to co-operate with that, so you may need to do some bargaining - such as saying: lets play with X after changing your nappy.

Avoid telling them NO often... instead go with the flow. Use words like NO only when it's something that is not debatable - you are in charge not them, so if you say NO that's the way it is, it isn't going to change to a Yes.

putting on their shoes, their coats, asking them to sit down for luch/tea, getting them to wash their hands etc.

but if they resist say to change their nappy i dont know how hard i need to be because i cant physically hold them down to get it done.

So are you trying to put their shoes on for them, yet they want to do it themselves? You aren't able to go anywhere... so not in a hurry, so let them put their own shoes on.

Coats - they are going in the garden, do they need a coat? If they want to put it on themselves then let them. If they don't want one, then is that a big deal?

Do you mean that they won't come when called for lunch? Have you had lunch outside on a rug... summer months often involves lots of picnics.

You need to be insistent and if necessary place them where they need to be. You should not physically hurt them but you certainly may need to hold their legs to change their nappy - otherwise it does tend to get everywhere!

How much physical contact are you having with them? Do they sit on you? Do they clamber over you?

I'm not sure what advise can be given. I don't know these children, can't see them in action. So it's very hard to be able to tell you what to do specifically.

I would agree with nannynick - I wouldn't worry about a 2 year old saying no all the time. You are the grown-up and they will get used to doing what you have organised for them.

If they don't want to do it, don't beat yourself up about it.

Also, the saying bye bye bit - don't worry about it.

The sooner you get them out to the local park, toddler group the better!

Agree with nick and btw love a dinosaur teaparty. We had one today

but it's normal for a 2yr to say no ESP as they don't know you yet and are prob seeing how far they can push you ie testing their limits

my 2yr (at weekend) says no often and she gets ignored. In the end she is a child and if I need to put on her coat on as cold when doing the school run or changing her nappy then be it I do.

Agree def need to get out even to park/ducks etc but ideally be nice to meet up with other Nanny/mummy and children for a bit of stimulation for you as well as them

Its important that the children get to know you as well, be firm but fair, and as mentioned don't say No too much if you can help it. Let them try to do things for themselves, they are learning to be independant, praise their efforts and only offer help when necessary, you will find that they will be much more ameinable to assistance if they have got half way their themselves.

Try to get them in a routine, I know you are kind off stuck in atm, but if they know whats going to happen next they will be much more sure of things. I introdused a whistle for a mindee who liked the No word, you can't really say no to a whistle and its fun 1 blow for line up, 2 for shoes on 3 tidy time etc.

I'd have a word with mum and dad about going out.
There's no reason why they can't go for a walk with reins on or to a playground that's enclosed by a fence.
2 year olds will go nuts stuck in all day.
Also soft play areas when the weather's no good. They can't escape from there.
I'm a cm and my staying in with new ones always lasts half a day, then half a day on reins / enclosed areas to see whether they're "runners" or not!
If they are, we still go out with reins etc.

Maybe make a joke out of it if they say 'no!' - say 'yes yes yes' 'no!' 'no?? I think you mean yes yes yes' and make funny faces or tickle them etc. All good ways of building a rapport.

Also focus on what they do well. Give them lots of praise for (even split seconds of) good behaviour and try not to ask questions where they can give you 'no' as an answer - so just tell them what you're going to do. i.e.
'I'll put your coat on for you now so we can play in the garden oh wow I bet we'll see birds and we can do xxx. Can you be a big girl and put your arm in here, ohhhh fantastic, you did it just right, oh and can your other arm go in here... well done!' 'Can x put his coat on too.... ooooh, good boy. Can you finish the zip if I start it off for you? What noise does it make zzzzziiip!'

It'll make it more fun for you and them. I know it gets hard when you feel you're not making headway, so find a way to take back control - remember they are only 2 so will try to push boundaries to see what they can get away with.

I'd also tell parents you've found xyz groups that are fantastic and you'd love to go, as you need to meet othe carers and get day-to-day support. Good luck!

Oh and if they won't sit down for lunch then make their fave foods, ignore them (as long as they're trapped in the room and safe, sit down yourself and make 'om nom nom' noises whilst eating! They'll soon want to see what they're missing!

thanks every one for your advice today i took them to play group and had great fun, they were listening to me!

and as i was leaving i got a hug and a kiss i was very happy today, i think i just need to understand that they are young and will try to test me! hopefully i will progress as the weeks go by.

Sounds a lot more positive... hope your next working day is just as successful
Children will challenge you, they are establishing where the boundaries are. They will re-establish the boundaries again at a later date as well... it's just the way children develop.

Big well done for getting out to play group.