Advice & Info #6: What is your overall approach to discipline with your toddler?

 I'm very consistent. For whatever bad behavior it is, there's a consequence, usually just time out in a corner since they absolutely can't stand that.

For my 3 year old, we usually just have to have a simple conversation with her, explaining to her what she is doing wrong and what better choices might be. That usually works. Other times, she has "one of those days" and refuses to listen all day. That's when we do 1-2-3. We are very consistent with what we do. I have a very behaved girl who has never thrown a temper tantrum at home or in public.

Avoid trouble.  Don't put child into a situation where he/she will have trouble (like shopping during what should be naptime). 

So many things are developmental and will pass.  So I try to focus on positive rewards and natural consequences.  I try not to escalate things with toddlers. 

Mainly, I give choices to children.  Let them have as much power as is reasonable, so they can choose (between two pre-approved choices) what to drink, eat, wear, etc.  And I invite them to cooperate instead of ordering them around:  "let's pick up our toys now" instead of "pick up your toys now!"

Clear, simple rules with clear, simple consequences! :)

Unconditional love, mutual respect, clear boundaries and clear consequences.

Perfectly said!

Quoting TTC2Long:

Unconditional love, mutual respect, clear boundaries and clear consequences.

Yes!

Quoting TTC2Long:

Unconditional love, mutual respect, clear boundaries and clear consequences.

First, we have reasonable age appropriate expectations. The boundaries are clear and consistent - the rules, while few, do not change. We view discipline as teaching. First we try to set up the environment for success. We look for ways to prevent issues. Then we move on to redirection and distraction. And last but not least is using logical consequences.

Since ds is still under two, we mainly redirect at this point but we are always clear about what is expected and he knows he will be removed if those expectations are not met. Example: eating at a restaurant, you will stay in your seat until mom and dad are finished eating (most of the time he complies), if tries to crawl out or gets loud, one of us will remove him and take him outside and sit in the car until he can calm down. Rarely happens, but works.

Be consistent! If you let up once it starts all over again.