DS is almost 2.5. He's pretty strong-willed but typically easily redirected. Lately, however, he's developed two issues that are REALLY testing my patience.
First is spitting. I *think* this started when we started working on letters and sounds. He makes the letter P sound, but extra spitty, and calls it spitting. He obviously does it for attention, but also, I suspect, because it's kinda fun to do. I've tried ignoring it (hasn't worked), having him sit next to me in a Dr. Sears-ish "time out", explaining that spitting is rude...nothing works. He literally does it right in your face. Tonight I tried having him only spit when his hand is in front of his mouth- I figured that would take the fun out of it if it was "allowed", but that didn't work either. He did it a bunch w/ his hand over his mouth, then went back to spitting w/o the hand, forcefully in my direction. How can I stop that?
The other issue is our dog. They play roughly, but the dog usually enjoys it. DS gets carried away sometimes, though, and hits him hard, or pulls his tail, his penis (?!?!?!), whatever will make the dog yelp. He thinks they're having fun, but it's obviously not fun for the dog. I've tried showing him how to be nice, how to pet him, etc. and he's well aware of what's gentle and what's not....yet the doggie torture continues. I don't want to exile the dog to the backyard or basement but I don't want the poor thing to be used as a punching bag, either.
HELP! I'm out of ideas. 2 year olds are hard.
First is spitting. I *think* this started when we started working on letters and sounds. He makes the letter P sound, but extra spitty, and calls it spitting. He obviously does it for attention, but also, I suspect, because it's kinda fun to do. I've tried ignoring it (hasn't worked), having him sit next to me in a Dr. Sears-ish "time out", explaining that spitting is rude...nothing works. He literally does it right in your face. Tonight I tried having him only spit when his hand is in front of his mouth- I figured that would take the fun out of it if it was "allowed", but that didn't work either. He did it a bunch w/ his hand over his mouth, then went back to spitting w/o the hand, forcefully in my direction. How can I stop that?
The other issue is our dog. They play roughly, but the dog usually enjoys it. DS gets carried away sometimes, though, and hits him hard, or pulls his tail, his penis (?!?!?!), whatever will make the dog yelp. He thinks they're having fun, but it's obviously not fun for the dog. I've tried showing him how to be nice, how to pet him, etc. and he's well aware of what's gentle and what's not....yet the doggie torture continues. I don't want to exile the dog to the backyard or basement but I don't want the poor thing to be used as a punching bag, either.
HELP! I'm out of ideas. 2 year olds are hard.
