I am often reminding myself that disciplining a toddler is really just training him in how he should go. Rather than consequences for bad behavior all the time, it seems that it's really more about enforcing correct behavior so that he learns the proper way to act. So, when I ask him to clean up the toys and he doesn't, he probably doesn't need a spanking. He needs me to make sure he does clean up before he does anything else, showing him that he is expected to obey. I can't expect complete compliance all the time. He's 2 and this is new territory. I am setting boundaries and he is testing them. It's a dance.... I am trying to be consistent and teach him what the expectations are.
I say the same lines over and over and over again, as calmly as I can:
"When Mommy says to come here, Will, you come right away."
"You obey Mommy the first time and with a happy face."
"That's not how you ask for things. You say 'Mommy, may I please have ___?'"
And today. Finally. After uttering that last one probably hundreds of times, breakthrough.
I was nursing Ben on the couch while Will ate a snack at the table. All of a sudden I hear, "Mommy, may I please have a wet towel?"
Music to my ears. It paid off. It will be hundreds of more times before he asks like that consistently, but that was just enough encouragement to me to keep going. Keep calm. He will get it eventually. My job is to train him in the way he should go. I have to keep at it!
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