I have a 3 year old who I cannot punish. I know that sounds weird. When she does something she shouldn't, if I put her in time out or take things away, it just makes things worse. She seems to spiral downhill more and more the more I try to punish her. If she hits someone and I put her in timeout, she gets defiant and will then proceed to do something like rip a coloring page. If I then tell her she loses her crayons, she'll find something else to do. I frequently can't send her to her room if she's done something wrong, because I'm afraid she's going to start destroying things. I know part of this is my fault, that she likes to see that she can make me react, but even if I dole out a punishment calmly and without reacting, she still does it.
I'm trying to help her understand that there are consequences to her bad behavior. Just talking and reasoning with her does not work. She is 3, after all. Any suggestions on how to do this? I must admit, she's at least getting better at apologizing after she's done something wrong. And I'm trying to show "an increase of love" afterwards. I just need to find an effective way to help her to stop when she's done something wrong. Any ideas? Anyone? Anyone?
On the Road to Emmaus
9 months ago
I'll be there saturday to chat. Just wanted to post something so you know you're not alone. It would take too much time to write it all out here.
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