Disciplining an 18 month old?

I can't even believe I just wrote that. However, DD is acting out lately and she KNOWS she's being naughty. She asks for something, I give it to her, she'll scream "NO!" and throw it. Or she'll have a tantrum (which I know is normal) but throw EVERYTHING in her path and DH and I end up ducking! I've tried the stern "NO! We do NOT throw things!" and she throws herself on the floor crying. I get down on her level. I distract. I ignore. I know this is par for the course at this age, but I wanted to know if anyone had any other ideas? Is it too soon for time-outs? I think I would start crying if I put her in time-out, but she is old enough to start learning approproate, acceptable behavior.

Re: Disciplining an 18 month old?

I have used a time out chair for my DD who is 19 months old. I started using it around 17months old. I let her sit in the chair for a few minutes and then I explain to her that we don't (whatever she was doing wrong) do that. If she is screaming or crying in the chair I tell her that she can come off the chair when she can calm down.

She still has temper tantrums and throws her self on the floor I just ignore her. The tantrums usually last only a few min. and then she is done.

GL!!!

Re: Disciplining an 18 month old?

Not too soon. I started time outs around 15m or so I think.

Once she knew what no meant and I knew she understood it was an unwanted act, she was taught actions have reactions.

A lot of time outs back then but at 3 I have to say it a lot less, nearly rare.

Re: Disciplining an 18 month old?

We set up the pack and play in the LR and put her in there when she gets crazy. She likes to bang her head on anything when she tantrums so we figured that's better than the floor or table. She doesn't like it and we tell her when she calms down we will take her out. Usually not longer than 2 mins. She's 18 m. It works. It distracts her and she will cry instead of scream and throw herself down. She's back to normal after an explanation and hug and kiss from us.

We have been doing this for months so I do not think its to early at all. It was our only way to stop her from hurting herself.