Toddler Discipline

Hi Nikita. She is too little to understand the word No yet. Even if she does, I am sure, her curiosity gets the better of her and she tends to ignore it. It will be quite difficult to discipline her this way at this age. Instead of saying no, you could provide her with an alternative. For example, if she wants to play with your mobile phone, instead to taking it away from her and upsetting her, you could hand her an attractive toy or a bright coloured paper or just about anything. Once she takes her eyes off the mobile (which she immediately will), slowly take it away without her noticing it. Using distraction is a better option than leaving her with no choice at all. Once she is older, I can assure you that you will wear out the word No :)

The new theory is that the more you say "no" the more your child learns to say "no". So as Aashna says the best way is to provide your child an alternative to the activity you would not want her to do.

At that age, kids learn very fast. More assertive talking we do, its good for them in picking the right words. So, as suggested by other friends, its better to divert her atttention .

Hi Nikita. Saying no will make her more curious and she will be more drawn to the object or activity. So, as everyone above suggests, please try and give her alternatives and distract her from the activity you do not want her to do.

Hi! Nitika , i agree with the unanimous advice given here and i also would like to add that even at 9 months your precious baby can understand the concept of wanting things that catches her fancy . The sure shot thing that works is making a space for the baby to do as she pleases. This place can be her own room, a play pen or a part of the room that is specifically designed to her needs. This area need to be baby proofed and then you could put all her things in it. Her small books, toys and any other thing that is hers. By doing this she will get the message that she has complete freedom to do as she pleases with her toys in her space and she will understand what isn't hers or that she will invoke a negative response from you if she goes for things that are not hers or not in her area. It worked with my daughter , she is now grown up but her room is still her domain and we do not have the tussle a round what is mine( hence non accessible) and what is hers...

Thank you ladies for great advice!

What if the child has started hitting.. suggestions pl...