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Not strict enough

13 replies

HP2020 · 29/08/2020 09:03

My hubby says I'm not strict enough with our 2.5 year old and he walks all over me. Things like bed time my little one won't stay in bed sometimes and messes around but hubby comes in and shouts at him and success!! But I just feel so bad reducing my baby to tears. Even tho in the long run he does need discipline. Am I the only one like this?

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OrangeGinLemonFanta · 29/08/2020 09:05

Hard to know really. You might be too soft - a regular bedtime and consistent boundaries are good for children of any age but especially toddlers - but you don't have to be shouty and mean to enfore them.

HP2020 · 29/08/2020 09:48

Hubby isn't mean but shouts if necessary

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BF2748 · 29/08/2020 23:29

Could you create a routine where it’s interesting but relaxing for him so he gets cue’s that bedtime is coming? Boundaries are important but I also think shouting before bed isn’t a habit that’s going to want to be created as he’s not going to go to bed calm. Some kids don’t respond to being placed in bed, for instance my twin nieces one will be in her bed and can go straight to sleep the other needs a bit of a chat, a story etc.

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Tacca · 30/08/2020 00:55

You are not the only one like this, in fact most people feel exactly the same way. However young children don't understand enough to make good decisions and it is your job to make them for them.

He doesn't understand why he needs sleep and is more interested in what is important to him. Which is learning through play, getting out of bed so he can play and getting your attention so he can have someone to play with.

Children are incredibly quick learners, so if he gets out of bed and isn't told off and put back he has just learnt that he can choose to be in bed or out of bed. He will of course choose to be out of bed because that is more fun, worse still he will apply what he has learnt in future. When he has told to do something else he will remember that he can choose to do what he wants.

It is not that your husband has a magic touch, but your son is smart enough to know already that he can do what he wants when you tell him but not your husband, because he has been more consistent with rules.

The reason you feel like you do comes from a place of love, but doing the right thing for your child even if it upsets them is showing them more love, because it is the harder choice, but the right one.

I probably sound very insensitive and overly strict, but our children get all the praise, love and fun I can possibly give them, just with a few rules.

Sayitagainwhydontyou · 30/08/2020 02:02

Your son obeys your husband because he knows he means business. He doesn't obey you because nothing "bad" happens if he ignores you.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/08/2020 02:10

Shouting isn't boundaries.

Neither is arsing around for hours.

There is a middle ground you can explore. Try How To Talk So Kids Will Listen And Listen So Kids Will Talk and 123 Magic.

HP2020 · 30/08/2020 09:06

Ok thanks for all comments. Does it get easier with 2 kids as time goes on? I currently have my 2.5 year old who says a few words but not loads and is getting frustrated seeing me attend to his 2 week old brother. Obviously hubby helps out when he's here but when he's at work etc it's all me and then I have 2 small ones crying

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Tacca · 30/08/2020 10:01

Your 2 and a half year old is now getting to the age where he will start to understand things that you explain to him, at that point it gets much easier.

The best thing I ever did as a parent was instead of saying no don't do that, explaining why you don't do it. The older children are now very thoughtful and caring, with an excellent understanding of life.

However it only gets easier if there are rules in place. You can say whatever you want but if your actions say you can stamp your feet and get what you want, that is what they will do.

HP2020 · 30/08/2020 10:48

Hi that doesn't really answer my question about him adjusting to the baby

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Sayitagainwhydontyou · 30/08/2020 11:08

@HP2020 he'll adjust to the baby, they always do, but unless you start actually setting boundaries and putting consequences in place his behaviour won't improve and your younger one will grow up copying him.

BF2748 · 30/08/2020 11:45

I hope you’re ok OP it seems your plate is rather full with having a new born too. He will definitely adjust, 2 weeks really isn’t much time at all but to help you could maybe give him little tasks to do that makes him feel involved in some way. Can you create a sticker chart with him so every time he helps he gets to put the sticker on for a reward in the week? Can include bedtime routine with this too.

He is adjusting to the split attention and maybe why he is acting up at bedtime. Could you create bed time to be your time together? Explain to him that it’s time where it’s just you two but it isn’t time to mess around it’s time to relax? Back to a previous poster point, they do understand more than they can vocalise so talking to them often helps.

Could you explain to your partner that your two weeks post birth and that the shouting at bedtime isn’t helping you at the moment either.

disappointingdessert · 30/08/2020 12:03

He shouldn't be shouting at a 2.5 year old. Hmm

Porridgeoat · 30/08/2020 12:12

Shouting is poor parenting. Shouting is loss of control. In 10 years time do you really want your 12 year old and DH shouting at each other because that’s the type of communication he’s fostering. Not particularly productive eh?!

You can have rules and not shout. Read around for techniques. Routines really help and both having the same expectations for consistency.

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