Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Need Some Parenting Advice

Ok, So I am not sure what exactly the "terrible twos" are but one thing is for sure I am at loss when it comes to disciplining Ramsey lately. He simply not listening when I tell him not to do something. I have tried talking to him and explaining gently why I am saying "no" to what he is doing. I have most certainly raised my voice. I have tried the counting to 3 thing but he just thinks it is fun to count right along with me. Time outs are not that effective for him. He will stay put but doesn't considerate it harsh discipline. I have popped his bottom, I have pulled down his panst and smacked his leg but at this point he doesn't even flinch and I hate spankings and at this rate he'll be getting one several times a day making them even less effective. He is not a bad kid and he knows when he is doing something wrong. It is as if he just checking to make sure his will is stronger then mine.

Anyway, I am struggling to find a way to get his attention to let him know I am "the boss" and when I say "no" I mean no. I never want him to be afraid of me but I do want him to believe me. I try to stay consistent as much as possible. I mean sometimes he is so sweet but when he his naughty, he is naughty. I know this is all part of the development of a STRONG WILLED CHILD but any advice to help this mommy survive would be much appreciated.

7 comments:

MaryBeth said...

Consistency is the key I think... I notice when I start to slack the girls immediately fall into bad habits again. Another thing, the Love and Logic book Magic for Early Childhood gave me lots of good things to think about where discipline is concerned.

Beckie said...

I need the same help! Please let me know what advice you get that ends up working for you....Charlotte is such a sweet girl but we are definitely experiencing the tantrums and the "no!" at the Fulcher house!

KatieMGreen said...

I'm often in the same boat. Right now, it's hard for her to understand what a "BOSS" is. I'll say, "Mommy is the boss" and she'll say "Bella's the boss" but I don't think she knows what a boss is. So, it's also hard not to laugh. But I do think consistency is the best... it's just hard!

jill said...

wish i had something to offer, friend. but i'm in the same boat with the wild woman. she totally thinks she's the boss ... and she could care less what i have to say most of the time. let me know if you find something that works!

Julie said...

Consistency and boundaries. Kids need an adult to be in charge. You may not feel like it, but he is catching on. Oh, and they keep exploring the fringes of their boundaries-it's not just a terrible two thing :)

I am so glad he is as smart as he is cute. You're doing a great job Tara. He's a lucky boy.

Tara said...

Consistency is they key, for sure - always and forever. The point of discipline is to help him remember the next time that he is thinking about doing this that there was a consequence for his action last time. The pain of a spanking, however light,can do the trick but when it won't you have to be more creative. Knowing how he loves to play, how about you removed all of his toys from his reach or the room or put them all in a room or the chest and he was without them for x amount of time. He is too young for things like not being able to play with them for a long time, but he should have to ask for them more than once and be reminded why he isn't getting them. You will be able to determine the time. It might be worth a try.

Judy said...

Judy said that! not Tara.