Disciplining Bryant

B can be really naughty at times...........For example:

1) Hitting / punching his brother (no prize for guessing where he learnt that from);

2) Crying and stomping his feet on the ground when his demands are not met; and

3) Attempting to climb out of the high chair most of the time (very dangerous, now we need to request for high chairs with safety belts whenever we dine outside).

So, I had to discipline him. Sometimes, I beat his little hand, and sometimes I put him in the naughty corner. He seems to understand the naughty corner concept, maybe from observing his brother. He would stand there most of the time. Rarely would he escape.

Parenting is not easy. I feel it is easier to discipline and punish when they are older, as they have the ability to understand and question you. At this tender toddler age, I sometimes wonder if Bryant knows what he is being punished for.

Naughty corner

I established the "naughty corner" a couple of months ago. Why naughty corner and not the rod/cane? Well, I have used my hands to whack his bum-bum or hands when he is naughty but I find that it doesn't work! He doesn't seem to be afraid and I do not want to increase the intensity of my beating and act like a 'mad woman' in the process. Moreover, I do not want to set a bad example for him........"hmnn, mummy screams and beat when I don't obey her so I can also act the same way when she doesnt 'obey' me!"

It was difficult in the beginning. He wouldn't stay at the corner and would always escape! =P So I had to keep bringing him back to the corner. After about two months, he seems to understand and would stay in his corner. Just look at him, ended up lying down cause he was quite tired here. We had just got home from school!

Last weekend, I also started establishing the naughty corners outside the home. It wasn't intentional though. He was being very difficult while we were having dinner at Takashimaya. I warned him that he would have to stand in the naughty corner when we got home but that did not deter him. So I just walked him to a quiet corner and made him stand there. He was crying and kept turning his head to look at mummy who was walking away from him. After that, he was an obedient boy once again!

Keeping Joshie still on the high chair

Lynette mentioned in her blog a week ago that her two boys always make a big "hu ha" while eating. I am so relieved that I am not the only mother struggling to keep her child still on the high chair during meal times. At home, I'd scold and even beat his little hand when he misbehaves. Of course he'd bawl, but I don't care, since there's no onlookers! =P Better to discipline at home instead of in public.

To me, behaving during meal times is very imperative. I do not tolerate nonsense from him, mainly because I want to make sure he finishes his main meal. Also, I do not have a maid and most of the time, I am the only one handling him during feeding time. When he eats, I eat too, so he must be in the high chair and not wandering around the house. When we dine out, it's also just hubby & I with the cheeky; we all eat together so we make sure he sits in the high chair from the time we order our food till we finish eating. It's definitely not easy to keep him still, especially if he has finished his food, so usually I'd shove "toys" to him...........his toys brought from home and anything else I can find in the restaurant...........the plastic cutleries, plates, wet tissue, packets of salt/sugar etc etc..........

These pictures were taken last Saturday at an eatery at the Pan Pacific services apartments.