That refuses to listen? I asked DD to help clean up and put away a bag, she says no and I ask again so she wrinkles it up. I tell her to go in her room and she refuses. I wish I could think of natural consequences but instead I take away stuff until she cares which makes no sense! She almost laughs now and wants me to physically put her in timeout. Well honestly I made her go to her room and told her not to come out until she naps.
Jen - Mom to two December 12 babies
Nathaniel 12/12/06 and Addison 12/12/08
Re: Any ideas how to punish a 4yo
If she doesn't put the bag away and just says no, I put the bag in her hand and tell her in a firm voice "I.said.put.it.away.Now.Put.It.Away." If she doesn't I *walk* her to where it goes and make stand there behind her until it's put away.
I don't tell her go to her room. I *put* her in the room if she's not cooperating. If she gets up, I put her back. She gets up again, I put her back again. And not just to her room since that's where the toys are but on her bed with no toys. And I stand there to make sure it's enforced, or I close the door if she's screaming about how "it's not faaaaaaaair."
Mean Mommy voice, Jen, Mean Mommy voice. It comes in handy.
I'm with BPO. That's what I do too. Even if she doesn't seem to care, it's still a consequence and you get a time out yourself to calm down if it's upset you or have a little time to yourself.
Pretty much this exactly.
In this case, I would have bodily carried her to time out and then she would sit there until she was ready to clean. I really hate it when they try to front like a punishment means getting out of what I asked them to do.
The natural consequence of not cleaning up is not being able to play or have fun until you do.
Click me, click me!
I have to figure the difference between mean mommy and yelling because I am mad Mommy! And she would rAther the punishment than doing what I asked. She was tired which made it worse so she is sleeping right now. I think I need to remember to not do the task for her and leave it until she does it no am just at a loss when she wrinkles it because then it was garbage.
Definately make her clean up after the time out is over. If she doesn't clean up, the goes back into TO.
There is also a "mom box" on pinterest (I saw it on FB) that if a child's things are all over the floor, they go into the box at the end of the night and then the child has to pick a chore to earn it back.
Would singing Barney's "clean up" song work? That is what worked with my DS (not with DD).
Or have a race to see who can pick up the fastest (this worked for my DD) - - you pick a chore you do (wipe off the counters), and DD cleans up after herself. If she wants to switch and SHE cleans the counters, while you pick up her stuff, then I would let her clean counters. It's just an exchange of chores.