7 Toddler Discipline Tips

It seems the little one is getting naughtier by the day. Whatever he or she does, it is likely to end in misadventure, and you feel like you have to be on the watch all the time. The time has come when the toddler has to be taken well in hand, a job for both parents, but mom is expected to come to the fore. It is rather a workload: setting limits, explaining what’s wrong and what’s right, teaching self-control. Discipline will prove a wide-stretching task, and your toddler ought to know the rules in every situation – what behavior would be acceptable and what shouldn’t be done around other people, other children, pets.

Teaching all that – and “teaching” is exactly what discipline means in Latin – doesn’t make you a strict martinet. On the contrary, it is a must that can’t be overestimated. You want your child to be able to hold himself in check, respect other people’s belongings, understand their feelings. Besides, discipline imparts a sense of security which is very important for the child, notwithstanding the fact that he will be ever trying to prove his independence. It’s not long before he comes out into the big world, where he is NOT going to shout and throw things at people when thwarted, and spoil other’s belongings just for fun!

So, you will probably find a handful of tips for handling your child quite useful.

1. Make sure your discipline is balanced

Don’t come down on your child like a ton of bricks, it can result in him being well-behaved in your presence, but naughty when you’re not there. Dictatorship is definitely not the way for setting limits.

2. Adjust yourself to the situation

Take into account possible aggravations and mitigating circumstances, if your toddler is teething, for example, he may be overreacting. Different crimes should not entail the same censure, make the toddler realize that biting another child comes into a different category than drawing on wallpaper.

3. Consistency is the word

All your limits ought to be enforced, today and tomorrow as well, and you’d better have grandparents, the babysitter and everyone concerned know that too.

4. Punishments should be age-appropriate

You will have to learn what disciplinarian measures will work best at different ages by trial and error, for a very personal approach is needed here.

5. Perseverance is what does it

You know how it is, but the toddler’s mind is probably wandering, so be ready to remind him of what is expected of him; you are supposed to know when he really forgot it or just pretends to have forgotten.

6. Stay cool

A calm voice proves far more impressive than shouting, for if you shout, you teach the child anger. If you are overexcited when laying down discipline, you won’t get good behavioral results at the end. Explain calmly what was wrong and why it would be better not to do so again.

7. Do it with love

While punishing, be affectionate and let the toddler know that you love him even if he has been acting out like there’s no tomorrow.