When it comes to discipline, there’s probably been a never more popular and controversial topic amongst parents. Whether you’re a spanker or not, there are plenty of people who have an opinions and aren’t afraid to tell you about them. As a parent of a toddler, sometimes I’m at a loss for how I should discipline my daughter. I know that I don’t want to physically lash out, but definitely feel pushed to the limit at times. One thing is for sure, I want to reach my daughter in a way that she will understand the difference between right and wrong and be a respectful little girl, without making her feel bad about herself. Toddlers mis-behave for a number of reasons and they are not always because they are trying to be “bad.” Sometimes they are confused, scared or heck, even just hungry. If you want to learn a little bit more about how you can approach discipling your toddler, then check out our list below.
1. Set an Example
First things first, you know your toddler is a sponge and watches your every move. They’ve probably picked up on a few words and gestures you’d rather they didn’t, and the same goes for poor behavior. Of course you aren’t perfect, especially when your toddler is mis-behaving and you’re at your wits end! Keep reminding yourself that the easiest way to teach good behavior is to just model it yourself. It’s ok to need a timeout and express yourself negatively away from your kids.