How can I discipline my smart mouthed toddler? 🤦🏼‍♀️

Question

Guys, I need help. I have. 2.5 year old, sassy girl who talks back and will not behave. She says things like “go away”, “I don’t like you”, hits, kicks, scratches and screams. We’ve tried time out, redirecting, gentle approaches and even popped her on the bottom a few times. She is smart and manipulative and is a terror when she doesn’t get her way. We have been VERY consistent with our discipline and her behavior hasn’t improved in the slightest. When she does something bad, and sees our reaction she immediately says “I want to be good! I’m sorry!” I think she knows what’s good and bad, but can’t control the urge in the moment. What can I do to help her and everyone around her while she goes through this (🤞🏻) phase?

Answer

Have you tried ignoring her bad behavior/smart aleck remarks? Discipline does not always mean punishment. It sometimes means an absence of something. She might be doing some of these things to get your attention or interaction. 
Obviously, if she is being unsafe you’ll need to interfere, but if you’re just playing at home and she says something or does hurtful try saying “That’s not nice. I’m done playing” and walk away. She’ll probably come find you (possibly after a fit or tantrum). Then give her a hug and say “let’s try again” or “let’s play something else”.
Also make sure you really praise her when she’s doing the behaviors you like. And point out to her things that you like doing with her like “I loved reading that story together!” or “Thank you for putting your clothes in the hamper. That was a big help!” 
It won’t be an overnight fix, but I’d give it a try for a while.

Answer

Positive praise when she behaves herself could go a long way. At that age, kids aren’t in control of their emotions, so she may really want to be good but hasn’t developed the skills to change her behaviour yet. Keep going with the discipline too though. Best of luck mama!

Answer

Ignore the bad behavior. Literally stare at a wall and refuse to look at her. She's playing a game for your attention. She wins the game every time you give her the big reaction she's looking for. Look right over her little head and act like she's not even in the room. Move out of her way everytime she goes to hit or scratch as if you're avoiding walking into a stranger on a sidewalk. Go about your day in the house and get things done and completely ignore her (OBVIOUSLY watch her from the corner of your eye for safety) while she's being naughty. After a bit of this, she'll come up to you with a nice thing to say or a gentle activity for you to do with her. It works everytime. Don't yell. Don't swat. Don't look at her or talk to her. Game over.

Answer

Wat about a reward chart for good things she does. Either use stickers or something that is removable to show her being bad so u take one away. Maybe having a visual might help

Answer

2.5 is so young. I’m not a fan of spanking btw. Are there changes in the home? Is she around any new people? its good to communicate to her that you don’t like what she’s doing, but it’s not helpful to think about kids as “bad” or “manipulative.” Kids usually want to make their parents proud. Be patient with her and consider what could be causing her to act this way.

How can I discipline my smart mouthed toddler? 🤦🏼‍♀️

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