First | Prev || Next | Last
¿Question #4973?
Randy Cox: Parents: how do you convince a two-year-old that "no" means you're not allowed to do something (without any hitting)? Non-parents, don't reply (if you do, then go stand in the corner and fart).

Disreputable: Again with the Uranus references! What is with you people?
Jatoha: you don't try to convince them. You take them away from whatever it is that they want and keep taking them away and putting them in their crib or behind a gate or whatever until they get the message. It usually doesn't take that long.
vandemonium: I don't know Randy that was like four years ago for me now. I probably used wicked awesome reasoning, like, "just don't do it!" or something like that.
Zedsdead: With logic. I don't have kids but I'm sure that toddlers respect a well-reasoned argument. In the unlikely event that the naughty child persists, I'd break out some charts and graphs to bolster my position.
jessitron: After saying "no," take her away from whatever it is. Farther and farther each time if necessary.
kathleenryan: Use "No" sparingly so that when you say it they know you really mean it. Instead of no say, "Why don't we do this instead?" Engage your children. Read to them. Play with their toys with them. Get down on the floor with them. Have fun with them. They grow up so quick. Make their childhood fun for them. They are little explorers and want to learn about everything. Let them by not always saying "no." I believe it stifles their intelligence.
2amp: swat on the butt
TrimChris: Business as usu
DKahnt: not a parent...............yet
El Hidalgo: Time outs, cold shower fully clothed for the hard cases.
bigbadsteve: woo hoo! glad i ate pizza last night
plysbjorn: The kid gets what it means. That's why they just have to do the opposite.
Taxshop: Both of my kids understood completely what it meant at that age - but sometimes they did it anyway to see what would happen, which is a natural "pushing of the boundaries". The key is what are the consequences of ignoring a "no". If there are no negative repercussions then they will learn that they can ignore "no". The hard part is finding something appropriate, and it bvaries from child to child, because each has a different idea of what they want to avoid.
42ndSSD: Cattle prods do wonders for training young children. (Yes, I'll go stand in the corner and fart. Thank you.)
jtrleone: Helenoftroy's answer
Mike A: With 2 year olds, I distract them with something else so they forget the thing they shouldn't do. Now 3 year olds are a whole different story.
franklincobb: Sometimes a spanking is the only thing that works. Period.
DHEK: By talking sternly and firmly. And no I'm not a parent but I'm not going to stand in a corner and fart either.
elirlandes: Kicking?
TheArchAngel: stand in the corner happens when doing something wrong
aleo09: repetition
WatchmanX2000: delay is the deadliest form of denial
_Kael_: Watch "The nanny". It works. Be consistent. No means no - always.
goelvis: Definitely don't laugh or smile at "cuteness" around friends. Bad behavior is just that.
Nef_: For a two year old, you don't. My three year old has a "naughty chair" she sits in for 2 minutes when she's misbehaved. But a two year old is probably too young.
cowdog: You don't. Better to use an explanitory word: "hot", "sharp", "pornographic".
ZiggyZambo: Do you smell something?
MaksimSmelchak: Teach the concept of guilt and then reinforce it... Jewish mothers have been using it for millenia... Positive reinforcement of good behavior is wonderful, but that presupposes that it's done in a preventative manner and doesn't help with EXISTING behavioral challenges...
vampywife: i'm not a parent, but i have studied child development. time-out is a good tool, but the best is to reinforce good things, that way the child learns that by doing correct things, they will get rewarded with praise, etc., and want to do them more. if you start early, it is much more effective.
MisterCranky: Clearly your parents failed, or you wouldn't be instructing hypothetical people to fart. Also, scaldingly hot water beats hitting every day as a deterrent to be frowned upon.
Avatar_69: Bah! a quick, light smack is still the most effective method. it's the shock more than anything. If you don't want to hit though, put them in a "naughty spot" for 10 minutes and ignore them while they're there.
scriptorum: Oh, that's just peachy, ignore the non-parents point of view. This corner needs a new layer of paint. Toot.
Helenoftroy: physically make them stop by turning him/her around, bind down so you are face to face and give him/her a stern without yelling "No"
Favre4MVP: A 2 year old already knows what No means. If they do it anyway, they want to see what you're gonna do about it.
orodreth: No hitting... but its always funniest when your kid initiates a "time out" and goes to sit on the step or in the corner.
Platinum Dragon: (Stands in corner)
Beowulf: Usually tone of voice gets the message across. Putting them in their crib (if they're still in one), or placing them in a corner facing the wall is step two. No hitting? Then there's always electro-shock collars as a last resort.
rawdawg: beat the living shit out of them... oh, wait, no hitting... hmmm
Loquutus: Grow up, Randy. :)
LemonyFresh: Not replying
javelin98: Speak forcefully and swat them on the bum if they do it again. Repeat as necessary.
skrutsch: Oops, sorry, I farted right here.
POvidiusNaso: Pbbbt.
davebo: Hold their hands and say "no" with conviction. If they're doing something dangerous, you gotta smack their hand.
GI Joe: By applying a negative consequence everytime the child does what you have forbidden. It doesn't have to be a spanking.
skelebone: Hmm, hitting is out, hunh? Sharp words and ridicule of clothing are in order.
Lord_Prussian: Don't mind me here in the corner. On second thought, you should probably stand a bit farther away.
puffinge: I have GOT to get out of this corner! It is really stinking.
Dave: We try not to say just "no", so that she doesn't learn to say it later on. We use vocal tones and facial expressions to let her know that it was wrong, and it seems to work so far.
chaddyboy_2000: *stands in the corner and farts*
Spielfreak: Keep in mind that this is something that they're not going to learn instantly. Convincing can be done by showing there are consequences to not heeding the NO, such as taking away crayons (for a duration like an hour) if the child colors on the walls, or sending to Time Out or their room (again, for short durations) for other offences. Make sure to nurture the child after a period, conveying your love for them. Children are always pushing the envelope looking for boundaries -- it's up to you to set them. They will learn. These are the formative years, so form them well.
jttm: Phew... that was a silent one. But man, look at the paint peel
CDRodeffer: Our two-year old has finally learned no from repetition. At first she didn't understand, and we just took whatever it was away or put her in a place she couldn't do that or whatever. Next, she was saying no when she knew she was attempting something she wasn't supposed to do, so we continued the same method of take away or isolate. But she eventually caught on, and now she glares at us for having been denied what she wants or wanted to do, sometimes crying for a moment, but sometimes longer. I hope she'll eventually accept this....