discipline help, new to boards

I am new to these boards and am so happy I found it.. I am pulling my hair out. My boys will be 2 on Saturday and nothing works as far as discipline. They get into everything they are not supposed to. They play with outlets and have gotten shocked and still continue to play with them. I put outlet protectors in and they pull them out. I have tried slapping hands, time out and redirection. Nothing stops them. And this is only one of the issues I have with them.

Any advice?

 

Welcome to TS! 2 is certainly a challenging age. The only advice I can give you is to be consistent. If you choose time out as the discipline then be sure to do it every time they touch the outlets. I find that this age is still hard for them to understand discipline completely and I still try re-direction quite a bit.

 

you'd think after they got the shock of their life they'd stop messing with those outlets.
Welcome to TS! I hope you'll get alot of helpful advice.

I find that I am repeating myself alot and saying, Listen. Listen to mommy. I make them look at me before I give the instruction or correction. That way I know they aren't being distracted by something else.

 

Welcome to TS!

I found 18 months to 2 1/2 years to be the most challenging age. They are mobile and interested, but really don't have the cognative ability to make long term behavior changes. This means that you just have to be vigilant and consistant, as the PP's have stated.

 

Jennifer - regarding the outlets, you can buy complete outlet covers and the part where you plug in your cords is twisted so that the kids can not take outlet covers in and out. Does that make sense? I got them at Babies are us over by all the safety stuff. Good Luck ~Mary~

 

welcome, you will love it here!

I havent got to that stage yet, I cant wait! hehe.

I wouldnt have any advice for you im sorry, have you tried the 'naughty corner'?

 

I'm in the same boat as you, nothing works but mine are only 11 months. They don't understand the word No or if I move them from where they are getting in trouble they just go right back to it. So hopefully it gets better.

 

quote:
Originally posted by sharongl:
Welcome to TS!

I found 18 months to 2 1/2 years to be the most challenging age. They are mobile and interested, but really don't have the cognative ability to make long term behavior changes. This means that you just have to be vigilant and consistant, as the PP's have stated.


What sharon said!

Welcome to TS!

There are outlet covers that can not be removed except with a screw driver, try those!

Good luck!

 

Hi Jennifer!

Welcome to the board...I come here often when I need either a) to know I'm not alone in my struggles b) some been there done that advice or c) a good laugh!

The outlet problem is pretty serious, go get those complete outlet covers that others have mentioned. I just got them myself at the hardware store. My girls can also pick out those plastic things from outlets.

As far as discipline, my girls will be 2 April 1st so we're in the same boat age wise and it's certainly challening. I pick and choosse my battles otherwise my entire day would be a battle. I'm consistent with important things like hitting, biting, scratching, and tend to be more relaxed with those things that won't matter tomorrow.

When I discipline, I always get down to their level or make them look at me when I'm talking and this really seems to help. I've also just started with time out and surprisingly, it's working really well. They totally got it the first day. But I ONLY use it for agressive behavior otherwise I think it loses it power.

I still do A LOT of redirecting, I just get them involved in a task of some sort. It's work, but it pays off. For instance, dinner time was a struggle because they'd hang on me and whine...now I pull up 2 chairs to the counter where I'm prepping dinner and they get to 'help'. (This was a suggestion I picked up from another TS member!). What a difference. They're happy and I can get my stuff done AND we have fun too!

Good luck and again WELCOME!

Daniele

 

Thanks everyone. I have tried the outlet covers from babies r us and they are able to get those off too. They are just into everything they are not supposed to be and I can't wait for this stage to be over. They can be good boys when they want to be.

I am so happy that I found these boards. It is nice to talk with mommies in the same situation.