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09-03-2006, 09:15 PM
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#3
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behavior
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Moderator Goddess
Last Online: Today 05:48 PM
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 11,493
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It's a normal phase, probably, but do run it by your pediatrician - a phone call should suffice. Pick your battles. When you tell him you will do something if he keeps up, do it. What we did at this age was, if we put him in time out, we told him he can come out when he is ready to obey/calm down, etc. That way, he learned he can be in control and can make his own decisions. We also tell him that if he can't calm down, stop making noises, etc., he's welcome to do them, but in his room with his door closed. His choice. In extreme circumstances, he loses the toy of the minute for a day. They love to test to see what their new limits are as they become older. Limits help their security. The other, BIG thing we realized is that we were always telling him not to do something - don't be loud, don't be mouthy, etc., but it wasn't until we realized the problem and started telling what to do instead - don't speak loudly, speak softly. Instead of don't hit, touch softly. Instead of don't be sassy, tell him what to say. That was a big one. He didn't know exactly what he was doing wrong and what would be right. Just some ideas. Hope something works, and that you also have ways to cope (mommy needs a time out right now because I'm angry). The other day my son said something hurtful, and rather than get mad, I told him he hurt my feelings. Later, he cried over it. Three days later, he's still asking me if I feel hurt. Wow, was that a lightbulb!
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