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babyenchilada (953.7 days ago)
Every kid is different... but when it is time to start spanking them, you will know. The biggest thing whether you spank or not is to be consistent. Make sure if he gets in trouble for a certain thing once, he gets in trouble for it every time. Don`t threaten punishment over and over either. 2 warnings then discipline is fair but doesn`t make you a sucker either. And (something I had to teach my DH and others that took care of our son at that age) for heaven`s sake, talk plain to the kid. If you want him to stop something say `no` everytime. If you tell them `stop`, `don`t`, and change it up all the time they`re not going to get it. They have a limited vocabulary and you have to work with that. Also, praise him when he does good. I do these principles with my 3 year old and people say he`s the best behaved kid they ever saw. He even says `yes, ma`am` and `thank you`. He is still an active boy that has the potential to be out of control, but as long as I stick to it he`s a precious angel.

KR (954.8 days ago)
i would continue what your doing, spanking at this age isnt effective. You could try 2 minute time outs though.

luvbeingamom (954.8 days ago)
My son is also 20 months and also Trouble looking for a place to happen. I judge the punishment on the offense. If it is something dangerous (like fingers/items towards an outlet) i tap his hand with a bit of force. If he does something like ignoring me, i will put him in time out. It just comes down to a judgement call. Good Luck!

RobinG (954.8 days ago)
I agree with harimaudahan ~ firm no and redirecting is best. I would NEVER spank a 20 month old. No way!! All you will teach him is that it is ok to hit and that is not what you want cause then you will have a hitting toddler. Hunter learns from my tone of voice, it scares him and redirecting. A 20 month old doesnt understand what you are trying to `explain` only that he has done something wrong and has upset you. One thing I`ve learned is to pick your battles and be sure the punishment fits the crime and that what you are expecting and not expecting are age appropriate. Also sometimes kids get moments like that for various reason, trying to communicate their needs and not being understood, needing something or an activity to do, are bored and need something to do, redirecting, hungry, tired, atre foods that wind them up, over stimulated etc etc. Make sure you really look at the situation to see why he is doing what he is doing. Hunter gets like that at times and as much as I want to get annoyed I realize he is doing this cause he wants my attention to play or is hungry or he is trying to communicate something and not able to do it ~ ((hugs))

harimaudahan (954.9 days ago)
Talking firm lets them know your upset but I don`t believe a toddler at that age understands everything when your telling them they are doing something wrong..I would still tell them of course, always communicate, just don`t expect them to stop doing it. For me spankings and hand slappings didn`t work either (though I`m not against it, my daughter just never took them seriously) the only thing that did work was timeout, but only in her bed. She hated to be put to bed when it wasn`t nap or bedtime. Some moms think that will make them hate their bed and not go to bed at night easily, but it never affected her that way because I always make bedtime pleasant with me reading her a book and then giving hugs and kisses.

angie2008 (954.9 days ago)
How about slapping his hand when he does something wrong. I believe in spanking eventhough i know a lot of moms/people don`t. I wouldn`t give him a full out spanking or anything, definitely too young for that. What about time out, in something like a corner and do one minute per age, i would do 2 with him because he is almost 2. Whatever you do decide to do, just be consistent and he will learn.



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