Would you have been this strict? - Page 2

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by swd12422

Actually, we left b/c he refused to take a little time out/in to cool off and think about how to play nicely.

He's 2. He's not going to do much thinking about how to play nicely. I've had both children (DS more often) sit with me for a couple of minutes when we're in public because he did something he shouldn't have. I never phrase it - even now at 5 - as "think about what you did" because I think that's a bit...silly. He's not going to think about it, especially if he's something he knows he shouldn't have done. It's more about calming down than analysis.

I also don't get the "he refuse to take a little time out." I think what you're expecting of him isn't age-appropriate. You should have gotten up and gone to him. Get down face to face and talk to him or pick him up and take him to the bench with you. I don't understand the idea that you called your 2YO, he didn't come, so you left rather than going to him and handling the problem. I have a child with an unbelievable stubborn streak, and that's what I'd do with him.

[EdnaMarie]

Originally Posted by One_Girl

I probably would have started by picking a child that age up and bringing him in another room to deal with the situation. I don't think it is a huge deal that you left though or that you couldn't carry him in because of having your hands full, we all have days where we do something a little sterner than we intended. Your friends kid sounds completely normal for a two year old who is in a new situation with strange people he doesn't know well and your son did something that many kids that age experiment with. Hopefully you can get them together again soon and things will go better.

I was tempted to say "me too" but then I remembered that by 2.5 mine usually obeyed verbal commands so I probably would have started with the verbal command, then gone and gotten her. If she refused to stay with me, followed by an apology (as a formality), yes we would have left after a simple warning.

However, I agree that it's not a big deal that you left. He might try it again though to see if you will leave again.