Is it possible to discipline a 18 month old?

[HyperThread]

Is it possible discipline to a 18 month old? How do you do it?

To give you some examples of today:

• Chucked food on the floor
  
• Refused to sit in the highchair
  
• Chucked all the toys and water out of the bath on to the floor
  
• Refused to get in the bath
  
• Refused to get nappy changed
  

All of these were followed by screaming, crying, etc

If I tell her off she either ignores me completely or laughs in my face :(

How do I manage this? I'm feeling quite overwhelmed by it all.

[Limpetsmum]

My son was a little monster at that age. I stayed consistently harsh and used the naughty corner.
He's now three and all I have to do is threaten to use the naughty corner if he's naughty and he behaves.
I found 18-24 months a challenging time and was at my wits end. But one day he just got it and behaviour changed. I would genuinely say he is a little angel now (mostly) and I think being consistent and following through with any threats eg no toys, no dinner has paid off for me. Also, if my son was messing around at dinner time I would say, right you've finished, no pudding (after a warning) and he still would sleep through despite not eating. - I think that's the same for all kids so don't be scared to give that a try if you think it may work for you.
Good luck, it will get better!

[BertieBotts]

Discipline means "teaching", not punishment, so while you can't do anything resembling punishment yet (good cos it's not nice at any age, you've got a while before you have to be the meanie!) you can do lots of teaching. A lot of it is about communicating in a way they understand.

• Chucked food on the floor
  

> Take food away, they're obviously finished. You don't need to comment even but they understand that food on the floor = mealtime over. You can offer the food again later if they are still hungry but make it clear no messing around.

• Refused to sit in the highchair
  

> Could you try a little table and chair for toddlers? Or try moving the mealtime, it might be she's too hungry/not hungry enough.

• Chucked all the toys and water out of the bath on to the floor
  

> Keep baths quick, perhaps look into trying showers soon?

• Refused to get in the bath
  

> Sequencing can help, so she understands in advance there's going to be a bath and then after the bath something nice like a story.

• Refused to get nappy changed
  

> Hmm I think I had to sit on DS and be very very quick!