ds (3 next month), is deliberately NOT listening.... how can i improve my 'serious' face??

[americantrish]

he doesn't listen and then look at me to see what i'll do. i'm worried he doesn't take me seriously :I although i do my best to not show this as i know this is a trying time (for me! ;o) and he is pushing the limits.

i had to adjust when he was 2 and starting behaving differently (about this time last year!) however this time, it seems a LOT harder....

Have you tried planned ignoring for the small ish things that he may be doing just to get a reaction? Then lots of praise for wanted behaviour. Then when you do need to do 'cross face' it has more impact because you do not need to do it as often...

(well in theory . we have ds 3.2 yrs and he can be very trying.....)

good luck.

My serious face just caves into a smile, i can't help it!

we definitely praise the good behaviour...i've been thinking about starting to use a star chart, but dont know if he's too young. our ds can be very nippy with us too (but not at nursery or with other adults!)

i think me and dh need to agree on our stratagies for dealing with ds...:I (which usually ends in us rowing )

Have you tried getting down to his level, looking him in the eyes as you talk to him, and holding his hands?

We've found that technique good (some of the time) with DS1 (3).

You definately need to agree on your strategies. Any kid can spot the holes a mile off and will manipulate all the differences between you.

keeping trying to agree on what to do despite the arguments - its really important.