Hello!

I know my boy is 2, but I am really struggling to employ some effective discipline techniques. We have resorted to the “naughty corner”, but it still doesn’t seem to work. He is just throwing toys (at myself and our pets), smacking, biting & just general naughtiness. Whenever he does something naughty & he knows he has done it, he just looks at me & smiles as if to say “well what happens now”! Needing some suggestions please.


Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • In general I believe in positive attention on behaviour you like to see and ignoring behaviour you don’t like to see. I’ve a 4yr old with Down syndrome who throws a lot and tests the limits. Instead of saying ‘don’t throw’, I say ‘shall we pick it up ?’ and then make a big applause when she does. Of course there are moments and actions whereby I’m more firm, for example when she bites. I just take her briefly by the chin and say no biting. Sometimes I put her for a moment in the playpen as form of time-out (although she well able to climb out and does so), she does get the message.


  • There is a big difference between a child that has just turned 2 and one who is almost 3, so it is a bit hard to answer workout knowing that. That said, being consistent is usually the biggest thing. If it isn’t allowed, don’t allow it ever. Be consistent in your response, whatever that may be. And remember you are disciplining the behaviour, not the child.


  • We do time out and removal of toys


  • Baby gate across the front of his bedroom door and 2 mins time out. When collecting him from time out make sure he says sorry and he know why he got put in there,


  • Don’t smack, lots of guidance and talk should be fine!


  • mnaybe put him down in bed


  • I am all for a small smack to get our 3yo son’s attention when he’s done something wrong. The naughty corner never worked for us – he finds it comforting to be sent to the naughty corner. In fact, he takes himself there when he needs to sulk. If our son misbehaves badly, and he’s still misbehaving after 3 warnings, then he gets a smack on the back of his hand. We are fortunate that our son does not bite or smack back or push/shove, but if he did, he would get a smack on the back of his hand every time he did it.

    As another mum has suggested, pick your battles. If this was our son, I’d be working on the biting and the smacking and trying to cull this behaviour first – I find this behaviour deplorable and while I still have the power and authority to choose who our son plays and socialises with, I have no intention of allowing him to play with kids who bite and smack. (As an aside, I have now stopped inviting a set of twins to our house for play dates because they bully and bite and smack our son and all the other kids who are also invited over for play dates.) I believe the toy throwing and general naughtiness will improve once the biting and the smacking is under control.

    Good luck!


  • With my nearlly 2 year old, i leave the room and play with a different toy in the opposite end of the house. Sometimes i have to do it a few times until he will calm down. I simply say NO then move on to something else. I have found that talking about it or punishing him makes him 100 times worse.


  • The pushing of boundries is always fun. The timeout or naughty corner is good. A small smack on the hand or backside works for some (not all). When doing time out, make sure it is very boring (no toys or tv nearby) and possibly depending on your home put him in a room away from you. (only if safe) Be firm, but also pick your battles. Biting and hitting is one of them, but hopefully he will grow out of it.


  • keep doing what your doing so its lets them know that you are the boss and eventually they will have to do what mummy says


  • Yes the terrible two’s just be firm calm and consistant, (yes its very hard) shouting doesn’t work, remove him from the naughty situation and make it clear its not acceptable maker sure any one else who looks after him follows through with this, and make a big fuss if he does something good! good luck its not easy!


  • Welcome to the naughty twos, keep him busy find a different thing for him to focus on.


  • little boys are so cute, I would take his toys off him though and make him sit on the lounge or floor infront of you with no television or anything and tell him when he is good he can go play


  • It will stay this way for a good year at least…boys will be boys…just need some more time


  • I would continue with the time outs, but choose an area where there is no stimulation – no toys/tv . If he moves from the spot keep taking him back and telling him why he is there. It can take a while, and you may need to persist. Maybe also when he does do something really good, tell him how pleased you are about the behaviour.


Post your reply
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your answer and join MoM:

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join