What do you do with a DEFIANT child?

[Jbenert]

My daughter isn't even 2 yet,
hardly says any words,
but knows EXACTLY what to do to tick me off...
and she does it ALL THE TIME!

When I scold her... she laughs
I've tried time outs... she has fun in the corner

She knows right from wrong, but chooses wrong over right.
I'm just looking for some newer ideas.

[LenoraMinogue]

They don't call it the "Terrible 2s" for nothing. A lot of children are difficult to deal with at that age. Just stick to your guns, and your child will get the message in time.

[animikokala]

I'm a "spare the rod, spoil the child" kind of person, so I'd recommend a tap on the hand.  It doesn't even have to hurt; usually it's the shock value that gets them.  However, I know some people don't like that type of discipline.  I was raised on the belt and paddle, so I can't really say how well it works without it...   

[fc2]

I was raised on a bar of Dial soap in my mouth during my teens , but 2 yrs. is a bit young for this stage of parochial discipline. Give your 2 year old over to God's almighty guidance wth prayer.

[vicogden]

I've been through 3 and all mine are teenagers now.  When your child becomes a teenager, you may wish he/she was 2 all over again!  Just be patient and don't get too upset.  If your child gets a reaction out of you, then he/she will continue to do the action that caused your reaction.  Just be strict and consistent and it will all work out.  Good luck.

[scollontrade]

You might want to try positive reinforcement. We all respond to what we like.

[tammypete]

The terrible 2's......It will get better....She is just testing you out to see what she can get away with.  I personally never even tried the "time out", "stand in the corner" thing with any of my 3 kids.  I didn't beat them either.  A pop on the hand or *bleep* for doing wrong at the age always worked with mine.  My oldest is now 16....now thats an age that makes you want to pull your hair out!!!  WHEW!!!!!!

[mrisha]

Since she knows what sets you off then never give your 2 year old the satisfaction of knowing how it affects you.  If you don't get a handle on this now, you never will.  More severe discipline is needed and not necessarily hitting the child but start being the parent now.

[sak4kat]

Yikes.  I'm a mother of 3.  I've used time outs for all 3 of them.   Lucky for me they didn't start there terrible 2's till they were closer to 3.  There is nothing worse than having your kid give you that smirk where they think it's cute or funny that there negative actions are making you mad.  Pull out the empathy card (age related - that will teach them something too) and be consistent with time outs.  Don't give up.  If you give in now it's only that much harder when they are older. 

[gamerpeeps]

Don't let your child see how they bother you with their reactions to your scolding! Ignore it! If they don't get a reaction from you, they will stop doing that behavior. Positive reinforcement is the best way to enforce the behavior you want from a child. Time outs have their place as well as a little swat on the butt, only when warranted. The child is looking for your reaction, give a positive one.

[erinelise2]

It's exhausting. My 12 year old is still like this. In hind sight I should have been tougher back then but i kept thinking it was a stage. If it's a stage, it's one she still hasn't grown out of it. Find that thing she most loves to use as leverage (but be prepared for it changing). I also think that some kids, including my daughter, just really need extra intense attention from their parents and if they don't get it positively then they will make sure they get it negatively.

[Stealth3si]

force feed it hot sauce

[bigfoot951]

I don't think there is anything wrong with a good old fashioned spanking.  Idiots out there these days are making it seem cruel.  Well I already said it, they are idiots.

[vickysue]

I have a seventeen year old adopted grandson that is so defiant, He thinks that since he is almost 17 he should be able to do whatever he wants. Has been in more trouble then i can list. God bless my daughter-in-law. She has tried everything under the sun and nothing works. My son passed away a little over 10 years ago, and she has had a hard road with him. We do what we can. The law won't let you disapline him, and he knows it. But this is one time He needs some one to really bust his bu## to get his attention. Any suggestions?