[ran27]

Hi all,

My 15 month old is becoming a rather cheeky and naughty little boy, he likes to hit us and kick us especially during nappy changes. He also likes to throw food and spit it out at us and then he laughs. I am inclined to just say NO sternly when he is being a little bugger but DH thinks we need to discipline him better. I dont really think we can at this age though, considering he doesnt really understand everything we say. Does anyone have any suggestions to combat tiresome behaviour?

thanks!

[Lucretia Borgia]

I think it is a bit young......saying no sternly I think is good, re-direction if he is throwing a toy or hitting, with throwing food...hmm...that's a tough one! I'm inclined to say most babies do that! If it happened a lot during a feed I take it to mean he's not hungry...or has had his fill, so I take him out of the high chair and then clean it up. Again. All day seemingly. Sigh.

Good luck!

[Mummy Em]

At that age for hitting I usually remove myself. If I am holding them then I put them down and move away, just for a minute or even 30 seconds is enough. With the throwing food you could take his food away for 30 secs or take him out of the high chair and pop him on the ground.

[Bart.]

I put my DS2 into the 'thinking spot' for the first time at 15-months old. I had to keep putting him back and I kept it up until he'd sat with his bottom on the floor for a minute. I put him in the corner of the living area so he can still see us but not get to us.

The second time, he continued to get up so I did the same as the first time.

The third time, he sat there for the full minute and continues to do so now. He's 17-months old today and has been in the 'thinking spot' about six times.

He understands perfectly well that his behaviour wasn't right when I put him there and generally it does curb it so I think it does work for him. I also use it so his big brother (3y9m) can see that I'm treating them the same and disciplining when DS2 does get too rough or destructive.

I guess all you can do is try!

[ran27]

yeh that is what I am doing. I guess I am just worried I am not doing 'enough', but i guess he is young and the gentle approach is probably best at this age

[ran27]

Good idea. Does he cry and carry on when you do it?

I put my DS2 into the 'thinking spot' for the first time at 15-months old. I had to keep putting him back and I kept it up until he'd sat with his bottom on the floor for a minute. I put him in the corner of the living area so he can still see us but not get to us.

The second time, he continued to get up so I did the same as the first time.

The third time, he sat there for the full minute and continues to do so now. He's 17-months old today and has been in the 'thinking spot' about six times.

He understands perfectly well that his behaviour wasn't right when I put him there and generally it does curb it so I think it does work for him. I also use it so his big brother (3y9m) can see that I'm treating them the same and disciplining when DS2 does get too rough or destructive.

I guess all you can do is try!

[Ally'smum]

My DD is 19 months and I say no a lot and distract her to stop the behaviour.

I have tried to distract/time out but she is too young. She was spitting and I told her she had to sit on the seat for a minute and then say sorry, but she spent that time spitting so it didn't work.

Distracting to stop the behaviour or physically moving them to stop it is the only thing that works for us right now, but I would definitely be telling them it is not allowed. Throwing food annoys me the most but she has pretty much stopped doing it for now. It is all new and fun and learning so I can imagine he enjoys it, especially if he gets a reaction.

[lifehacker]

Ds is 14 months (nearly 15) and I wouldn't even consider 'discipline' yet. He isn't doing anything to be deliberately naughty, he also hits and kicks out during nappy changes but it's not in a nasty way, he's learning what happens when he does these things. I don't make a big fuss or give a big "No" because that is giving a reaction that is sure to make him do it again.
I just continue on quickly, distract and move on.

[ran27]

I should probably add that he does appear to know he is doing something wrong because he laughs at us, especially with the kicking , it is a full body kick he really tried to get us. I usually ignore it or distract him or if it is really bad like him slapping my face hard I say NO.

I think DH reacts more to DS bad behaviour than I do, and is more worried about it than me. Perhaps I need to gently suggest he ignores it.

[50ftqueenie]

My DS is the same age and was hitting us quite a lot. I found a firm "no" just invited more hits because he thought it was a game. We've just ignored and distracted and he is already heaps better. Now to apply the same tactic to the dangerous throwing he likes to do. Ahh toddlers, always one move ahead of us!