Discipline

[Kenya]

I have a one year old and I'm not sure how to discipline her. Can I get some suggestions?

[DivasMaMa]

Ladies please do not use anything other than your hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can not stress that enough. Now I do agree with Georgette Rena Scott, I do think that some children do need to be spanked however if you use anything other than your hand this will count as child abuse and that is when the gov steps in. Now my daughter is only 6 months old so she doesnt get popped, she just gets "the look". Take it from me I'm presently fighting the state of NY for whipping my 5 year old niece with a belt, now she did deserve the whipping but in hindsight of everything it wasnt worth it.... So just pop their hands and put them on punishment and call it a day. They will learn eventually.

[adiaha]

Timeouts should correspond to the childs age. i.e. 1 year olds get 1 minute.

Please do not spank her. Corporal punishment ruins self esteem. Talk to her and when she throws a tantrum, just remember she is 1 y.o. and doesn't quite have the capacity to see things the way that yor many years afford you.

Be loving and patient. She will grow out of this stage and into another before you know it.

Godspeed.

[Darcel]

Before talking about discipline, I think maybe look at how a 1yr olds mind works. She's curious about the world around her. I see some have already suggested redirection. It's also good to think about your tone, body language. Kids pick up on that.

Say yes more instead of no all the time. Do not use threats and I am against spanking in any way, shape or form. There are much better ways to discipline our children and spanking is the easy way out, IMO.

Instead of immediately saying no to her, get down on her level and see what it is she's so interested in, explore it with her.
If it's something she truly can not have or be near, move her and give her something she can play with.

[Georgetta Rena Scott]

I apologize for that I do not think you should spank a 1 year old would not recommend that because they are learning the rules of life

[Lakita Clark]

I like your suggestion of exploring. That tactic would definately enhance the bond between parent and child.

[Nappykat]

How about a physical restraint? Nothing harsh, you just put her on your lap, wrapt your arms around her snuggly and she can't move or get off your lap until she calms down and stop moving and stop squirming. When she calms down, tell 'stop hitting' or 'don't hit.' At first it kinda hard because they will scream and cry, but they do eventually calm down.

I use to hit my kids to keep them from hitting. Even then it seemed odd too me - I thought 'how am I'm gonna teach them not to hit when I hit them to keep them from hitting?'

I agree with being constent. If you try this, you might have to try in public places too when they act out (you can do it right there or take them out of the place).

I use to hit/spank kids as young as 1 years old. It gets the job done but I wouldn't suggest it. It's good that you are trying alternative methods first.

[Lakita Clark]

Tread softly. Remember that discipline doesn't have to be an unpleasant event. My son was extremely busy. I knew that my strong desire for him to sit still was not enough. So I had to be creative. When I wanted him to stay in a particular spot, I compromised. I use to make forts using the kitchen chairs, so that I could cook in peace. I placed pots and pans under the table so that I could keep an eye on him. If he go into something he wasn't suppose to get into, I would talk to him (adult to child) how I felt about the situation without using a baby voice. Voice tone is very effective when communicating to children at that age. I had to learn that getting angry or impatient would just make him angry and impatient.

[Tracy]

What ever you decide to do.. please do SOMETHING!!! I have a girlfriend that has 2 son's that are OUT OF CONTROL. I was at her house one day and the 2 year old was running things. She kept asking him not to do something and the more she asked the more he did it. I finally got tired of it and went over and snatched him up and FIRMLY told him to STOP and it was a done deal.

To this day if I come around he won't do anything wrong. But she has no control over them and I feel for their teachers because how they are at home is how they are going to be at school! The only difference is, the school will not allow them to do and say what they want.