Question about toddlers?

Question

I have a two and a half year old daughter. We were over at someones house, and she accidentaly knocked over a table and broke a small decorative pot. I said "No, Don't do that, you need to be careful!" I also offered to pay for the pot, but the lady said no. But I didn't yell at my daughter anymore after that. My question is, do you think I should have yelled at her or disciplined her more than that? I'm not sure if the lady thought I should have said more to her than that. I did say to my daughter "go tell her your sorry" but she was embarassed and covered her head.

Answer 1

Causing your child to feel shame by yelling at them, especially in front of someone they don't know, doesn't teach them anything and usually only makes them more resistant to the lessons you are trying to teach.  At our house when something like that happens we say, 'uh ohhhh...' or 'oh no' and look at what has happened.  We have our son help us clean up and repair what can be fixed then end the situation with a little chat, apologies where needed and positive reinforcement.  After all, what your daughter did (from the sound of it) was an accident and what's more important is teaching your child that accidents happen and when they do we must be responsible.  You did a great job by offering to pay for the damage, especially if your daughter witnessed you doing so.

Answer 2

As long as she understood what she did was wrong your OK.  The lady probably realizes that she is only 2 and a half and kids do stuff like that by accident.

Answer 3

Yelling at kids (on purpose) is pathetic, they justt think they got the better of you. The only time disipline is nessacary is when the crime was deliberate.

Answer 4

well as long as your daughter understands that she needs to be more careful i see no issue with having to discipline her. i think you explained yourself well at the moment and the woman has to expect these types of accident with lil children around

Answer 5

no you shouldn't punish her. I am sure she didn't do it on purpose. Even adults make mistakes so it is something she will have much experience in before her life is over. Making a mistake worse doesn't help any of the people involved. She needs to know that people make mistakes and if you yell and punish her then what is she to think when you make a mistake? Remember that'?

Answer 6

No, she is only 2...Its normal yet I know it can be embarassing...I knowing how kids are cause I have a 2yr old and a 4yr old would understand and honestly not expect anything from you or have expected for you to punish your child over it...addressing it was enough

Answer 7

You did fine.  I may have pushed the apology a little more, but when they're this age, it's tough.  Offering to pay for the pot and then taking over something you made as an apology was great!  Good job, Mommy!

Answer 8

If, as you said, it was an accident, then I think you did exactly the right thing. She needs to know (a) that she should be careful, and (b) she should say "sorry" when she breaks something even if it was a mistake. The only case where it would make sense to punish her further would be if it was obvious that she intentionally broke the pot. You told her to tell her she was sorry (even if she was too shy to do it), offered to pay, and even baked something, so you have done everything you needed to do.