Tessa O’Hera asked:
My 3 year old, does not listen, does not potty, does not go to sleep when she should, Does not want to eat breakfast, does not play well with her sister, and so on… And now, her sister who is almost 1 1/2 years old is starting to act like her, she also has a real bad habit of screaming, even when nothing is wrong!!! Oh, and time out, yelling, talking sweetly, sending to the room, and all has not worked!!!!!! help, at witt’s end!
My 3 year old, does not listen, does not potty, does not go to sleep when she should, Does not want to eat breakfast, does not play well with her sister, and so on… And now, her sister who is almost 1 1/2 years old is starting to act like her, she also has a real bad habit of screaming, even when nothing is wrong!!! Oh, and time out, yelling, talking sweetly, sending to the room, and all has not worked!!!!!! help, at witt’s end!
Recommended sleep disorder sites
Screaming toddler
Screaming toddler
Sleep Disorders
Sleep Net
Sleep Disorders
try spanking her butt that’s what i do when my daughter doesnt listen and it works more often than not
also get your daughter checked out for possible neurological problems that could be causing some of her behavoiaral problems if the spanking doesnt work
be consistent, give a warning and follow through. most of the time a time out will work for my 2 girls they are 19 months and 4years. if my 4 year old is going really crazy or being really bad i will threaten a “time out” for a favorite toy. “if you don’t sit down in your chair and eat some of your lunch”, or “if you hit her with that one more time” …. “your barbie island princess is going on time out.” the threat to her favorite toy really gets her attention.
okay. first of all, it’s not necessarily bad behavior for a 3-year-old not to be using the potty (some kids do take awhile to train, and it’s not uncommon these days for some kids to be 3 1/2 or even close to 4), not to eat when not hungry, or for her not to fall asleep at bedtime if she’s not tired.
it is bad behavior to not at least be quiet in her bed at bedtime, not at least sit down for breakfast (even if she’s not eating), to be screaming, or to be unkind to a sibling.
for the bedtime thing, i’d try a bedtime routine that ends up with her in her room being read a story (with pjs on, the potty attempt made, and a glass of water already beside her bed, so there aren’t excuses later). i’d make sure she’s not going to bed way too early, and that she’s getting plenty of exercise (and no caffeine) during the day. i’d make sure there was no tv in her room and not let her watch tv close to bedtime (it can make it hard to sleep). i’d figure out if there’s anything she’s scared of in her room. and then after the story i’d tell her she can read to herself for 15 minutes or she can go to sleep, but that those are the only two options. then i’d turn off the light in 15 minutes. if she gets out of bed again, pick her up and bring her back without any discussion. over and over if necessary. she’ll eventually get the idea.
for other misbehaviors, pick one and work on it until it’s solved, then move on to another. don’t discount time out unless you’ve given it a very consistent try. i’d definitely use that for the screaming (it’s not very satisfying to be screaming if you’re in your room by yourself and nobody’s bothered by it). if time-out really doesn’t work for your daughter, try taking away something she cares about instead (a toy, tv time, project time, etc.). consider a sticker chart for good behavior — each day that she’s successful put up a sticker and reward her with some special time with mom doing something she likes at the end. make sure you praise her and give her plenty of attention when she’s good (not just when she’s not). consider different breakfasts (maybe she’s just not into cereal or whatever), and making sure she’s getting the right amount of rest (some 3-year-olds still really need a nap).