Expecting too much from my child?

Question

My daughter just turned 2 in November. She will not take instructions that she doesn't like. When I tell her not to climb and smiles and does it. When I tell her not to touch something she smiles and does it. She knows and thinks it's funny to do the opposite.
I've about had enough, I'm ready for running to the hills. I have a newborn here and she is going to end up hurting him if she doesn't start listening to me. 
Am I expecting too much? I think she needs discipline but everyone says "she's too young, she's such a good girl". Yea she's great outside out home but when it's just us during the day she is wild. 
Her temper is out of control and I can not take it anymore

Accepted Answer

She definitely needs discipline. The longer you wait to correct these actions the harder it will be. Those are age appropriate instructions she should be following. Especially given that shes looking at you and laughing, she knows what she is doing is wrong.

Answer

I've worked with children for 20+ years. Some children are more headstrong than others. If you try an authoritarian approach she will likely become more defiant. But if you find a way to illicit her cooperation by making it fun she's much more likely to respond positively. Turn it into a game, when possible. Lots of children really like the "I bet you can't" game. "I bet you can't keep your feet on the floor instead of the sofa. It's too hard. You'll never remember. Wait! What are you doing? Are you putting your feet back on the floor?! No way! I didn't think you could do it! Look at you! Good job!" Or something along those lines.
Giving her 2 options is also helpful. "It's bedtime! Do you want to brush your teeth first or put on your pajamas first?" That way both things get accomplished but she feels like she has some control over her life. With a new baby in the house, it's important that big sister feels secure and heard.

Answer

My daughter just turned 2 in November and I know exactly what you’re talking about. We do timeouts with my daughter and the occasional swat on the bottom (not hard, just enough to get her attention). Don’t listen to the people who say you expect too much. The longer you wait to start disciplining the less control you will have.

Answer

Also keep in mind a lot of what your going through is your toddler adjusting to a new baby. Around the three month mark mine settled back down. Getting a new sibling can be very hard and a big adjustment. Way bigger then I thought it would be.

Answer

At the age of 2 you can introduce the naughty step. I did with both my boys I used to count them down, from 5 to 1 gives them time to think and change there behaviour, before time runs out and they get sat on the naughty step for a minute. Obviously she won’t listen you for the 1st few times, as takes time for them to understand the naughty step & that age it turns into a meltdown. Let her have her meltdown, once she’s calm enough then tell her why she’s been sat on the naughty step. Then ask for a cuddle and say sorry then carry on with your day to the next meltdown.lol 
honestly always works with both my boys as soon as I used to say “il count you down” or “5” they would change there behaviour and listen to me. They 10 and nearly 5 now. I stopped using countdown about a year now as I only have to ask my youngest to stop and he listens.

Answer

She definitely does need discipline, however, keep in mind that the parts of her brain that regulate her understanding and behavior won’t be developed enough for more consistent behavior for about another year. So you do need to start forming good habits now, but don’t be angry if the way she responds to you is inconsistent. One day, she may do great and listen when you say no, and the next day she may be a little terror. Just make sure you consistently tell her no, redirect her, and discipline her the same way every time she fails to comply.

Answer

My 1 year old is going through the terrible 2s now. Lol he likes to climb and laughs when I tell him no. I give him a little spank on his diaper to get his attention and I assure it works.

Answer

Just keep your temper. Physically stop her from doing things like move her away. Give her lots of praise when she does the right thing and ignore her doing the wrong thing but don’t tell her off.

Answer

My daughter did that at 2, she's 2.5 and absolutely listens when I say no. Back then I would say a firm NO, that's DANGEROUS!! Then the laughs and defiance. Then I would ignore her, if she did it again I would just repeat. She got used to the idea that she wont get a reaction from me if she keeps doing it, just the same no. If it was truly dangerous I would physically stop her, show her something else to get her off the topic. That's what worked for us.

Answer

I have an 18 month old that throws his toys out of his crib when i tell him not to. It's more annoying than anything else. If she isn't hurting anything/anyone then I really don't see why it's a problem.

Expecting too much from my child?

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