21 month son is this the norm?

[Candace]

My son is 21 months and he has recently started saying mine to everything and telling everyone no. This is a new thing, I was wondering if I could get any better ideas for discipline. I do put him in timeout and I use a very direct apporoach to parenting. I am just stuck. He has also started screaming in me face when I tell him no.

What do you do when this happens?

[Susan]

I feel like the biggest key thing is to always use a very calm, monotone voice when talking to him when you don't like his behavior. This is totally normal. Those are two very powerful words. He's learning how to express himself and trying to control a world that is very big. Pick a phrase to use, "we use a nice voice," when he screams. Then, this is huge, ignore him. If you know that nothing is wrong it is JUST a fit then you also know that he'll be fine to cry. I never ignore my kids when they cream/scream if something is wrong. But, when it's a tantrum I use my boring voice, put my tongue on the roof of my mouth (this drops and relaxes your facial muscles) and as long as he's safe totally ignore him. I'll repeat my phrase every once in a while during the fit but then ignore again. you can also try distracting him with something else and completely ignoring any behavior you do not like.

[Jenn]

my son is like this too. i do timeouts and i try to sound mean... doesnt always work. but i do think the terrible 2s does exist. and in some it comes out early. my son yells in my face and he also takes a running jump and lands really hard on his butt and he has temper tantrums alllll the time. it will get better if you keep at what your doing sad to say its not and over night fix. but keep at it! :) hope it getts better for you soon

jenn

[Stacey]

I have the same problem and my kid is only 10 months!!! He's beginning to test his boundaries...No matter how many times I say No to something, he goes right back to it. I've tried re-directing Every time, I've even put him in his crib for just a couple minutes at a time, but it becomes SO frustrating. How do you teach a 10 month old No?

[argonaut (Scott)]

You don't. But, being consistent you are preparing them for later. DO NOT expect a ten month old to listen. They are babies. Redirecting is the best you can do. I do not suggest any discipline. Telling them no as you redirect them or take the dangerous object out of their hands is ok. And, will eventually kick in when the are older.

Baby gates/fences are life savers. My eldest would head straight for the TV power cord. She would even look to see if I was going to chase. My solution. I bought an entertainment center to keep the cords away from her. Babies are just that babies. You hold them and love them and when they get old enough to understand then you do more to train them.

[uomeasmile (Kim)]

This is a great link. I would copy and paste the info, but there is a lot of it. Again, so much has to do with boundaries and consistency. I can remember one of my children, whom I won't name, broke a rule. There are certain rules in our house that are non-negotiable. Please and thank you are one of these rules. A man at the grocery store gave my daughter a cookie (she was about 3 and a half). She didn't want to say thank you. So I just parked my cart and stood there for literally fifteen minutes until she said thank you. People were looking at me like I was crazy... but again, this rule is not negotiable. Anyway... enough of that rant... here is the link:

http://www.consistent-parenting-advice.com/toddler-behavior.html

[Hannah]

Good luck... treat yourself to a pedicure and a nice bottle of wine... I have a 21 month old as well. I

[WhisperingWinds]

I agree with argonaut scott. They should also begin to learn tho share things at this age. simple exaple give him a cookie and than ask him to share with you. Cut it in half.
When my kids fought over an item I often just took it away from both. They learned to eventually share more so mom wouild not take things away. lol