My little one who is turning two tomorrow, spends all day with her cousins who are extremely misbehaved. She has now started throwing temper tantrums that are the exact copy of her older cousin. I am thinking about looking for a daycare to get her to spend time around other children, but people keep saying that if I do that, she could pick up other bad habits from those other kids where we have no idea how those other kids are being raised. What would you suggest? How do I teach a two year old NOT to copy what she sees? I had to put her in time out the other day and that seemed to be effective for the certain circumstance. I just don't want to ALWAYS have to resort to time out. Any suggestions?
Re: Picking Up Bad Habits from Other Kids
It sounds to me like you have a pretty normal two year old. Most, if not all, two year olds will have temper tantrums. I don't think being around other kids with "bad habits" has too much to do with it (they all have bad habits...they're children). Toddlers are trying to figure the world out. They need to be put in situations in which they will be frustrated, throw a fit, and be told no. It is how we all learn that we don't always get what we want. There are many ways to deal with tantrums from time out, to ignoring it, to removing her from a certain situation.
I also think you have a perfectly normal child. This is just one of the many reasons being a parent is so tough. YOU as the parent have to teach your child to be a good person. It's your job to discipline, guide and display the appropriate behaviors. Your child will be around "bad" kids her entire life. You can't hide her from the world.
I hate to say it but 3 is even tougher than 2 so I'd figure out a good plan now. We used time out for hitting only. I don't believe time out is effective for all negative behaviors because then toddlers would be in time out the majority of the day. They are tough so you have to redirect, ignore and teach her.
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