Need some different ideas?

Rinelle · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 01:22 PM

Ezri is going through that stage where she's challenging everything. Loves throwing things on the floor, won't help pick up her toys, seems like her favourite saying is "I'm not cooperating!" We've been trying the 'consequences' style of discipline, ie "If you won't help pick up your toys, we'll put them out in the garage so we don't have to pick them up again tomorrow", and "If you don't come and put some clothes on, we won't have time to watch the trains when we pick daddy up." Unfortunately this just isn't working at all. She'll cry and look sad, then help you put her toys in the corner to go out to the garage! Or she'll say that she wants to go home, and doesn't want to look at the trains (despite being really excited about it a few moments earlier).

I'm all out of ideas on how to deal with this? Is it just a stage? Should we persist with this type of response, or is it just not working and we need to find something else?

hanabi · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 09:45 PM

So Ezri is 2.5yrs? Sounds like a normal toddler to me!

Look at it this way - this new assertiveness is essential intellectual, social and emotional growth for her. She's starting to not only 'get' but also 'play' the game (of life). In other words, she's asserting herself and her independence. The only way to deal with it is to be flexible and spontaneous. Don't enter into a battle of wills over little details. So she wants to go watch the trains naked? Maybe you could pile her into the car naked and take the clothes with you.

This is the age when our best parenting lessons are learned, I reckon.

Mama Latte · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 09:59 PM

I hear ya- if you find the answer let me know!!

I have made my personal motto "don't sweat the small stuff!"

Avoidance works- don't ask them to do something that you know will end in a total spacarama. If you ask them to clean their room and then you end up doing it anyway you might as well skip the spac and just do it yourself. Then you dont have to face the rubbish and risk losing a battle with a two year old.

It is hard!! Good luck xx