how to discipline a 26 month old?

[whereabouts]

DS2 is a very boisterous and sometimes naughty child. He is 26 months old.

How can I stop him to hit me (his sister, his dad)? This would be a specific situation where his behaviour has to stop. He sees it as funny and laughs. I just look him in the eye an tell him off very clearly. I guess we need to be consistent with this? Are there other more efficient ways?

please help!

I started doing the naughty step at this age. A useful way to manage the use of it is the three strikes and you're out rule, ie:

1. no DS2 don't do that (try to distract)
2. no ds2 don't do that or you will have to sit on time out.
3. right then time out, we don't hit. Then 2 mins later get him to say sorry.

If it is a serious hit then straight on time out.

thanks a lot! very useful.

He knows the naughty step from nursery and when I tried to make him do it he thought it was funny. But I have to be strict about it I guess.

I like the 3 strike rule... Usually DS will stop hitting once I have told him off, but he will do it again an hour later. I assume it is a matter of persisting and consistence...

For hitting I'd go with firm 'NO' (make sure body-language, expression and tone of voice are consistent with 'no') and immediate removal from the situation. No second chances with physical aggression and if he's laughing, you're not scary enough. Conversely, reward the behaviour you want to see more of with smiles and hugs.

Agree with corgito. An immediate firm no followed by removal from wherever he is. But I wouldnt use a naughty step. If he hit you in one room take him out and go in the kitchen. Tell him why youve moved him then distract him by getting him to start something else.

He'll soon get tired of you taking him away from things he was in the middle of.

If for example you're at a party/ with other people, take him away for a couple of minutes then tell him he can go back but he must not hit.

... and if he's laughing, you're not scary enough. Lol!

Thanks for the advice! Seems pretty straightforward.

QuickLook - why wouldn't you recommend a naughty step?

I had my two dds before the naughty step became popular. I can see the point of it for a four year old but not a toddler.

I don't like the name and I don't like the concept. I think trying to make a two year old sit on a step for two minutes is going to make the whole situation much worse. I think discipline should be quick and to the point. Then move on with the day.

Not trying to answer for Quicklook but for a time-out spot to be effective the child has to not enjoy the time-out, understand the connection between their actions and the sanction, and then be worried enough not to move. In really small children if there's any kind of gap between the cause and effect they don't make the link. At nursery I expect he's wary enough of the staff to stay put. At home he's not wary of you so it's a game. That's why you need something far more instant and arresting (like a big scary 'NO' see above).

Dd is 21m and has been biting. I say 'i'm not playing if you're biting' and remove myself/her from the situation. Once she stops I go straight back to what we were doing, usually a cuddle.
I think once they realise it's no fun when they bite/hit but as soon as they stop it's fun again they get it.
Dd now gives me kisses where she usedto bite :)

DS2 is exactly the same age and understands time out (especially having seen DS1 on it). I'd never call it the naughty step. I actually think its really useful to reflect and calm down from the flare up and I know it lets me calm down too so we can talk about what happened and a sorry can become meaningful. I wouldn't persist in it if he didn't get it or was laughing too much.

DS is now 28m & I have to say we've given up on naughty step. Now it's loosing privileges. So hitting mummy at bed time gets a warning of no book after bath. That gets a quick "sorry" and no more hitting. Being silly with drinks get drink taken away. Maybe no favourite tv programme or favoured soft toy disappears for a "nap" alone.

Seems to be working well here. Naughty step was literally a joke.