Hello!

I have a 2.5 year old son and second almost here. Lately, my son has been acting out, mainly at me by hitting, kicking and generally trying to hurt. He is disciplined by being put in a naughty spot but this doesn’t seem to do anything at all. I am at my wits end and need some advice as to how to manage and hopefully stop this before the new one comes along…How do I stop my toddler from acting out?

Posted by anon, 02/09/13

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  • Unfortunately you can’t stop your toddler from acting out, as it can be part of their communication. Toddlers may be able to distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad but they have lots of emotions and do not always know how to process them. They need to learn how to process their emotions, which takes time to develop. You could see your GP for advice.


  • I agree it’s attention seeking. I would therefor totally ignore negative behaviour (look away, no eye contact no emotional expression of any kind and become neutral and boring) and as soon he behaves positive switch your button into positive; praise him, give attention thank him for being kind, ask something politely, giving sweet hugs, being soft and gentle etc
    Other then that you can try to be more pro active instead of reactive. What happens before he escalates and try to be a step ahead and distract and redirect, give choices and a sense of control


  • it is an attention seeking device, and I agree ot very nice!. but happens to us all so not alone. Things I tried with mine and grandkids too, is distract there attention put on some music and you dance and sing, I have even pretended to do tantrum thing. Silly as it sounds sometimes works too as they are distracted by something different Mum’s or Nana’s are not supposed to do. Hope it helps, if you can stay cool too hard thing I know but it works too. Picture of one of my sons (the calm one too) the other still can tantrum do


  • Thanks for posting – I think I’ll be needing this soon!


  • I don’t think you do stop him. It’s a developmental stage that he needs to go through. You can change how you react to it though. Maybe look into either the parental stress centre or the 1,2,3 magic approach. good luck.


  • Have you had any luck with any advice below?


  • maybe he is jealous – have you tried sitting down and having a chat to him?


  • how did you go? :)


  • Is he getting any better yet?


  • How is your son now?


  • What did you end up doing?


  • I hope some of the advice down below helps.


  • He might be jealous that a new baby will so be arriving, try and give him the attention that he needs before bub arrives


  • Sometimes naughty corners don’t work for some children, try taking a toy he likes away from him.


  • Wanted to know aswell, thanks for posting.


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