How do you respond when your kids are acting out?

Question

My 2 1/2 year old is missing her deployed daddy and has started biting, scratching, smacking, trying to break things, and going into her room and slamming the door. She never did this before he left. I feel guilty about disciplining her because I know it is her emotional reaction. What is the solution?

Answer 1

Hug and love her as much as you can. Tell her what's going on and tell her the truth. Find time for doing special things together, to keep her busy. It doesn't sound like she understands what is going on. I don't think discipline is more so the answer but understanding and patience.

Answer 2

Just because she is emotional is no excuse for her behaviour. the only thing missing her dad can excuse is extra hugs and kisses from mum!

Have you ever seen supernanny?

Im not joking, do what she does on the television and your daughter will be back to her usual angel-self in at most, 2 weeks.

But remember, they all go through their naughty, ect, phases, and thats why they call them the terrible two's!

Olivia xo

Hopefully this will help you: http://www.parenting-skill.com/videos/53...

Answer 3

Get her a framed picture of him and tell her that he sent it so that she could tell him she loves him whenever she wants....get her a box with "DAddy things" in it....it doesnt matter what they are...just things that she will associate with Daddy...when you feel she is getting emotional about him and starting to act up...ask her would she like to get her Daddy box out and talk about Daddy. MAke sure she speaks to him on the phone whenever possible..though I know that is probably hard to do if he is deployed...encourage her to draw pics of him and her and you doing things together....and talk about him evry day...."I bet Daddy would like that painting you've done"...that sort of thing....and good luck.

Answer 4

Don't feel guilty about disciplining her. You are not going to discipline her to 'punish' her, but it is to teach her about what is and is not acceptable. She needs to learn that it is not OK to bite, scratch and break things when she is upset. The only way you can teach her that is through consistent and firm discipline.

When she bites/ scratches/ etc - say to her 'it is not ok/ it is not acceptable to bite/etc. If you do it again, the consequence will be.... (whatever you choose to give as a consequence. A smack will probably work best, but you could come up with something different, like a naughty spot).

Then talk to her about what IS acceptable behaviour when you're upset. 'Do you feel sad? Why are you feeling sad?' She may not be able to verbalise it yet (depending on where she is developmentally) but teach her to verbalise feelings. Re-direct her attention to a more positive task.

Remember that when she is an adult, a judge will feel no guilt for sentencing her if she has been physically violent towards someone. He wouldn't care how upset she is at the time. If you don't want her to react emotionally as an adult, teach her not to do it now.

Answer 5

just be patience....time will let the kid grow