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jhn7537
reply to post by Aleister
Back of the hand works quite well..... (obviously joking for all you serious types on ATS)
AccessDenied
Kudos to you! My four year old was literally in the middle of a tantrum when your thread popped up. One glass of water....done. Im a happy mom with peace and quiet again.
nighthawk1954
Duct tape always worked for me!
BO XIAN
reply to post by Aleister
CHEERS! CONGRATS. THX.
No kids but many parents ask me advice on such matters.
My mother learned a different method from my childhood dentist . . . which would probably get her arrested nowadays.
I was terrified as a toddler, of the dentist. Finally, he asked mother dear to leave the room. Then he proceeded to put his hand over my mouth. I big his fingers. He adjusted his hand. I kept screaming. He began to not only cover my mouth but also pinch my nose off and on--all the while calmly telling me that he'd take his hand away if I quit screaming.
Mother, of course, demanded to know how he did it. Her solution was always to whack . . . hard.
He taught her and forevermore she was a vigorous evangelist for such.
I even had to use it sometimes in counseling when parents could not get a babysitter. Typically, toddler Johnny would not behave--being in control of the family at 2-3 or so . . . I warned the parents when they told me they had to bring Johnny, that either they controlled him or I controlled him or the session was over. They always agreed. He was typically used to getting his way.
Soon enough, I'd have to tell him--"Johnny, if you touch that lamp; keep making noise; etc. I will immediately place you in my lap. Of course, Johnny HAD to IMMEDIATELY touch the lamp. Just as immediately he went in my lap. Just as immediately he began to scream. Just as immediately my hand went over his mouth. And I'd let him know that we'd have to count to 10 of his being quiet before he could get off my lap.
Of course, he'd get off in a huff then, and tentatively test the limits again. When he realized that the limits would be reinforced reliably . . . he was cool with it. Actually, every last one of such examples would, within 10-20 minutes or so, crawl up in my lap for comfort and affection.
Somehow they knew that the affection etc. was just as reliable and genuine as the discipline. And they were typically starved for both.