Consequences?

Well it seems my peanuts have discovered that feeding the dog or throwing their food on the floor (when the dog is in another room) is more fun than actually eating themselves. I will tell them to stop (we don't really use the word "no" much we use "stop" and the sign for "stop") and they know I mean it... but they pay no mind because it's fun. How do you get your point across or "discipline" them so that they know there are consequences to their actions? What is appropriate discipline for 11 month olds? Honestly I know they know what stop means... but they don't want to listen. I guess this is only the beginning of defiance And truthfully while I find it kind of funny and the dog is in 7th HEAVEN... I guess I better start to take control now before I have delinquents on my hands

Thanks,
Colette

 

Mine still don't get the concept of consequences, LOL I hope you have more luck!

 

Really all you can do at 11 months is redirect or make it not fun anymore. Can you put the dog in another room for mealtime? Maybe just give them one or two pieces of food at a time. If they are more interested in playing than eating, then they aren't real hungry. If it gets really bad and they won't stop, I would end the meal. Good luck!

 

QUOTE(Snittens @ Jun 13 2007, 05:53 PM) [snapback]290899[/snapback]
Really all you can do at 11 months is redirect or make it not fun anymore.


I have to agree and unfortunately even at this age any kind of attention for what they do encourages them.
It is hard b/c while they may understand what "stop" means they don't associate consequences just yet, so all you really can do is give them lots of attention when they do what they are supposed to and try to not give them any when they are throwing food on the floor, you can still say/sign "stop" and say things like "we don't throw food" and " food is for eating" then redirect them back to eating, even if you have to give it to them one piece at a time;sounds silly but eventually they'll get the picture. easier said then done I know.

good luck!

Alyson

 

I agree with the PP. Unfortunately, at 11 months, it's a bit too early for consequences. Right now, I'd just do redirection.

 

Thank you!!!

 

Whatever you choose to do will work with consistency (and well if what you pick works for them).
I say just be consistent and your kiddos will get that mommy means business and they can test allt hey want it won't change.

 

WIth my kids, I say no and they turn with a mischievous smile and do what I said not to only faster! (You gotta love that smile though.

I found that if I say no and they continue to do it, I pick them up and strap them in somewhere ie highchair. Then after a minute , I put them down and try again. If they go for it again, it's back in the highchair. It takes quite a few times sometimes but I've found it to works without being too mean. When he was going after the remotes, it took a half an hour before he stopped crawling directly for whereever I put it!

 

At that age I really don't think they are capable of remembering consequences unless they are directly related to the action (rather than being punitive). What our ped told us to do -- although this was at 18 months, which is very different from 11 months -- is that when they throw food, you say "No throwing" (sternly but calmly) and take the tray or plate away immediately. You don't need to end the meal completely, just take the tray away for a few minutes, then give it back. If this happens a few times in a meal, then the meal is over.

This teaches them that the immediate effect of throwing food is that the food disappears. It doesn't become a question of "good behavior" vs "bad behavior" (which IMO is something they can't really understand, or at least remember, at 11 months). It's simple cause-and-effect -- and since they don't want the food to disappear (usually), they will eventually stop throwing it.

This has actually worked really well for us, but I think at 11 months you're probably in for several months of "reminders."

I also only gave them a few bites of food at a time. Less to throw.

 

That is really normal behavior for 11 month olds. I take the food away, then feed them by hand if they are still hungry. My dd used to do that with our super fat white cat. She'd drop the food off the tray. Eventually (by consistently taking her food away) she would only drop it after she was done, then eventually not at all. But now she chases the cats around with bits of peanut butter sandwiches and tells them to "EAT! EAT SISSY'S NAMWICH!"