Discipline Tips for Rebellious Toddlers

A spirited toddler can leave parents feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. Though your little one may be prone to getting into trouble, parents have several strategies to stop poor behaviors before they get worse. If your little one frequently visits other caretakers, asking them to adhere to your discipline strategy can give your child the consistency necessary to improve behavior.

  1. Time-Outs

    • Among the more effective punishments for the unruly toddler is the time-out, according to KidsHealth.org. Ideally, parents should issue a one-minute time-out for each year of the child's life. Before you dole out discipline, explain what your toddler did wrong and what will happen if the behavior is repeated. Though your little one may repeatedly try to leave time-out, parents should consistently put kids back in. Make an effort not to reward bad behavior, like ending a time-out early for a toddler who tries to leave prematurely.

    Considerations

    • Consistency is a parent's best friend when it comes to issuing discipline. Issuing punishment sometimes and not others can leave toddlers continuing poor behavior, according to KidsHealth.org. Explain the kinds of behaviors you want your toddler to do instead of focusing on what they should not do. Though your little one may try your patience, it can also be harmful to resort to spanking or hitting, which may only encourage rebellious behavior, according to Boston Children's Hospital.

    Reinforcement and Ignoring

    • There are several disciplinary options available to parents of rebellious toddlers, and ignoring the behavior is among them. Parents can remind tots of the behavior expected before ignoring the child until the behavior is changed, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Issuing praise when it is deserved can also encourage rebellious toddlers to repeat appropriate behavior.

    Additional Information

    • If your toddler is rebellious, you may need to look at your own behaviors before issuing discipline, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. A lack of consistency between your words and actions can leave little ones confused about the rules and expected behavior. If your toddler continues acting out, talk to a pediatrician about other techniques that may improve your toddler's behavior.

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