Dear Miss Faith, It seems whenever we need to get something done, my 3.5yo son either flops down and makes himself into a dead-weight, or runs away and makes himself physically impossible to get to. After bath he runs immediately and hides in the corner behind the rocking chair, which makes it nearly impossible for me to get to him. I am frustrated by this, and have even … [Read more...]
Posts about Discipline & Connecting
3 Year Old Defiance
Dear Miss Faith, My son is 3.5yo, and we’re struggling with defiance. I had been very permissive with him in the past, and it wasn’t serving us or him. Now I am struggling to establish new boundaries. I feel like this is the right thing to do, but it isn’t going so well. In the moment, when I am exercising my authority he either throws a tantrum (a new behavior from him), or … [Read more...]
When they Can’t Have what they Want
Dear Miss Faith, I'm a nanny of two boys, and I'd love your advice on situations like this: The other morning, Joey came down for breakfast and he saw that his dad had put the little brother's food on a plate that Joey thinks is "his," and the sight of that triggered a total meltdown. His parents were home (as they often are when I am there) and they assured him that the little … [Read more...]
Being Firm without Being Mean
I've talked before about how it benefits children when we have clear expectations and firm boundaries, and how it is reassuring to children to know that we are in charge. I've talked about how having regular schedules and doing things the same way each time can help cut down on discipline issues and allow children to develop expertise. But even when we do all of these things, … [Read more...]
Acting Out
Dear Miss Faith, My three year old is having such a hard time lately, acting antagonistic towards his baby brothers, and no amount of helping him or punishing him is seeming to work. I've tried everything I can think of and I'm at a loss...It seems like he has lots of opportunities to get his big energy out...what do I do when nothing seems to work? … [Read more...]
Throwing Toys
Dear Miss Faith, I am a home daycare provider and I wonder if you could give some advice on what to do when children throw toys or mistreat them. Getting angry doesn't seems to be helping, lol. -D. … [Read more...]
Responding to Biting
Dear Miss Faith, I have a 2 ½ year old an 18 month old, and both are biting. We’re doing as much as we can to prevent them from biting in the first place, but my question is about what do to once a bite has happened. In general, when one bites another, we say "no biting. look you really hurt her/him" in a stern way as we comfort the child who was hurt. is this a good … [Read more...]
Clingy & Possessive 2.5yo
Hi Faith! I have been thinking over the past 10 days that I am sure you could shed some light on what is happening with my 2 1/2 yo. son. I stay at home with him and there have been no changes to routine or the environment that I can detect. In the past my son has been friendly and charming when around others that live in the home (dad, older sister, and grandmother) but over … [Read more...]