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Parenting tips for little children

Nicole L. Sattler

Nicole L. Sattler

Member
I have an almost 4 year old daughter (my avatar pic). She has her times where she just does not want to listen to me.

I have tried to reward good behavior, time outs and taking toys away. Nothing I do seems to work. What works for you? Do you guys have any tips?

Thank you,
Nikki
 
What a beautiful little girl!

...and she sound's perfectly normal.

It's not so much that you're doing anything wrong...rewarding good behavior, time out's when she's bad or taking away a toy, these are all OK...

At four, she's getting old enough to start realizing that actions have consequenses, so as much as you can, tailor the discpline to the behavior. If she won't put her toys, take the toys away for a long period of time, this sort of thing.

But the main thing to keep in mind is that this isn't so much that you're on the wrong track with her discipline...just that she is testing the limits. Testing the limits is very aggravating to us parents, but it's very important that we stick to our guns and consistantly follow through with discipline. This is how our children learn that we mean what we say and they are going to face consequenses for bad behavior as well as be rewarded for good.

Hang in there! This is a very key "battle"...if you remain consistant and build a foundation in which she learns that her actions will always bring about consequenses...you'll save her (and you) a lot of headaches and heartaches in the future!
 
handy said:
What a beautiful little girl!

...and she sound's perfectly normal.

It's not so much that you're doing anything wrong...rewarding good behavior, time out's when she's bad or taking away a toy, these are all OK...

At four, she's getting old enough to start realizing that actions have consequenses, so as much as you can, tailor the discpline to the behavior. If she won't put her toys, take the toys away for a long period of time, this sort of thing.

But the main thing to keep in mind is that this isn't so much that you're on the wrong track with her discipline...just that she is testing the limits. Testing the limits is very aggravating to us parents, but it's very important that we stick to our guns and consistantly follow through with discipline. This is how our children learn that we mean what we say and they are going to face consequenses for bad behavior as well as be rewarded for good.

Hang in there! This is a very key "battle"...if you remain consistant and build a foundation in which she learns that her actions will always bring about consequenses...you'll save her (and you) a lot of headaches and heartaches in the future!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply :). I think it must be her testing the limits as you said.

For example, when she doesn't pick up her toys I take them away, but she doesn't seem to care and still refuses to clean. I don't like mess and want to clean it myself, but then she would never do it. :bigfrown

I am not sure how to let her know I am serious.
 
You are absolutely right in that if you do the cleaning yourself, she will not do it. As a matter of fact, she'll learn to "wait you out" and that's not good!

Not seeming to care is also a classic behavior, especially with girls...but believe me when I say that the "not caring" is truly masking a little girl who is keenly aware of what is happening and wanting to see just what you are going to do about it.

Just keep in mind, this is really a power struggle...she is truly testing to see if she has power over you. Don't fall for getting engaged in the power struggle...just keep reinforcing that if you have to pick up her toys, she won't get them back. If she begins to occupy herself with other things...like reading or watching TV, etc...don't allow her to until the toys are picked up.

Hang in there Mom!
 
(deleted)

Oops!! I just saw that you have to be married to post here. Sorry.


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