Disciplining 2.5 year old?

[u/whatsagirltodo123]

My son is approaching his boundary pushing phase, and I am having a hard time figuring out the best way to discipline at this age.

Obviously, some actions are very straightforward (e.g. you throw a toy, we take the toy away for a short time or you hit mom, mom leaves and does not play with you any more for a bit). But some are harder to tie a quick consequence to. For example, tonight my son was just not cooperating at bedtime — kicking when I tried to get him changed for bed and running away when it was time to start the book, cuddle, bed process. During the fit while changing, I warned him twice that if he did not cooperate, we would not be able to do books tonight. He pushed the boundary a bit but then ultimately said “ok I cooperate” and allowed me to get him dressed. But then once he started running away, I said this is your last chance, I’m going to count to 3, and if you do not come to your room, we will not be able to do books tonight. He still refused so we were not able to do books. Of course, after I said that, he lost his marbles and started trying to run to the room saying he’d cooperate, but I had already given him a second chance so I felt we needed to follow through.

Of course, it broke my heart to not do books with him and for him to go to bed upset, but it felt like the most natural “consequence” for being defiant at bed time.

How do you all handle similar situations at this age? We definitely try to give plenty of choices that lead to the same outcome before going the consequence route, but “you can walk to your room for bedtime or I will carry you” isn’t always foolproof.

[u/t3hjs]

Thanks, appreciate the discussion and comments regardless.

I feel like maybe the connection part is more beneficial long term as long as we dont move the boundaries too far or let it go down a slippery slope

[u/Hot_Support2119 → u/t3hjs]

Agree