"I AM naughty" <<gleeful>>

[Coldtits]

Ds2 does naughty things. He tips juice onto his protesting brother's head, he pulls the cat's tail, he rips pages out of books. Naughty things.

I tell him that these things are naughty things to do, and it makes mummy sad when books get ripped, or ds1 sad when heads get wet, or cats sad when tails get pulled.

To which he replies "Yes. I am naughty!" with a look of clear glee and satisfaction.

He is 2.8, how would you deal with this?

he is attention seeking. Do not respond unless there is danger

mind you, can't really ignore poor wet brother i guess.

I suppose I could make a fuss of poor wet brother and ignore waywardly gleeful rampaginging demon cherub

He goes to time out for major ones (cruelty and distructiveness)

His problem is, and I am aware what a complete novice I sound, he is cute. He is very very very cute. He can do the comedy lip, the shaking of alabaster ringlets, the wildly flailing chubby limbs, and the cut-the-strings collapse

His problem is that he's cute?!?!? That's not his problem, it's yours! It's to his major advantage that you think he's cute.

The cats and his brother don't think he's cute.

It's a phase. Sounds like you're dealing with it in terms of time out. Do you think it's effective?

I meant to add My post sounds really harsh! Not meant to at all. It's hard to be cross with some children.

does he stay in time out or do you give in when he gets hysterical/pleading

No no he stays in time out, despite pleas of "Noooo Mama, I be good now, I wi-illlll, I will be an good boy now, oh weeeease tan I tum out now, ohhhh Mama!"

This sounds horrible, and distressed, and indeed, he does sound a good deal more distressed that he really is.

I know it's my problem that he's cute. But he's good at cute

To be honest, I think it is an attention thing. The juice pouring especially is an attention thing. I just wish I could get him to understand that it isn't fun, it's mean (some of it, anyway).

I've got a cute one too. Blardy hard not to just melt when he sticks out that bottom lip and a solitary tear (staged I'm sure!) rolls down his chubby cheek...

Lol- I have a 3.7yo with a similar attitude. dd1 comes to me wailing that dd2 has hit her/ snatched her toy/ scribbled on her homework. I shout dd2, who comes out eye-rolling and, before I get a chance to say anything, she shouts, "Okay, okay! I'm going to the naughty step, OKAY??!!" with accompanying "sheesh" noise and more eye-rolling. I am at my wits end with that girl!

my 20 mth dd is sooo cute i could eat her, (my almost 4 yr dd said, "why would you want to eat her" the other day.

When dh told her off the other day, it was so theatrical, i swear she's been practising in her cot.

Bloody kids.

DS1 accompanies any telling off with a "huh!". It's like living with a teenager, not a 3 year old. I'm waiting for him to learn "Meh"...