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.

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!

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!