Two things: Discipline and potty training

[Littledragon]

Okay, first, I am having some troubles with disciplining. I have three babies (10 months, 11 months and 14 months). The 11 month old BITES, and when I take his face and say NO biting, he laughs. Sometimes he hits me afterwards. He hits the other babies too. Sometimes it's just him swinging his arms or his toy, but sometimes he does it deliberately. He's a very busy little boy, so I know that putting him in a time out will not work since he doesn't quite understand what it is yet and he won't sit down for them.

The 14 month old doesn't listen when I say NO. I know he knows what it means because when he's doing something he knows he's not supposed to do, he looks at me. When I say no, he does it anyways, and he does it slowly like he's testing me. I know that that is what he is doing, but he does it over and over. Today, I tried putting him on a time out (they worked for his CONSTANT whining - completely different story) but they don't seem to be working for this. He doesn't realize he's on a time out until he goes to get up - which is about 5 minutes later cause he likes to watch everyone play - and by then, he has no idea why he's there so he just cries. (I know it's also an issue with mom and dad, which is frustrating because there is nothing I can do about that except remind them to be consistent, but there has to be something I can do here)

How do I fix both these things? I know it's all about consistency, but is there anything else I should be doing?

Also, a 2.5 year old just started and he is "potty training". His parents say he's almost there, but he NEVER tells me when he has to pee. When I ask him he says no. Yesterday, he pooped in his pull up. When I asked him if he pooped, he said no. I tried to explain to him that it's okay if he poops, I just need to know. I told him that his pull ups are like underwear, not diapers, so he shouldn't be peeing in them or pooping in them. His dad says he uses the big potty to pee, but he won't use it here. I tend to forget to ask him because I am so used to just changing diapers. I try to remember to do it when I change diapers (I tend to change the diapers at the same time - before and after nap, and before we go outside, so I'm usually pretty frazzled and I just forget to ask him). I'm going to make the bathroom more "kid friendly" but is there anything else I can do to make it more exciting for him to WANT to go? When you start potty training at a daycare, is it like starting from scratch? Suggestions anyone?

[Mamma_Mia]

OK well for the babies I really like the idea others have suggested before that instead of a 'normal' time out, put them in a playpen so that they are contained and not allowed to play. NO TOYS and keep doing it until they get it. This way you don't have to worry about them wandering off etc. If you have to set up two of them! They need constant reminders not to touch/hit etc. I'd also keep the 'biter' busy with his hands, like colouring, lego so that he's focused on something. Distractions also help, if you find that during free play they are acting up and all you're doing is saying no no no no then turn on music and start singing. Get their minds off the "naughty train".

As for the 2.5 year old, you said he JUST started with you. I bet he is still getting comfortable with you, it takes a while, so being exposed to potty is a big deal to them. I got a egg timer from the dollar store and set it to 45min-1hr to remind me & the child it's a potty break! Sometimes they didn't have to go but it was a way to keep me on track and gives them a chance to tell you yes or no....for now.

[Littledragon]

Awesome! Thank you! I've noticed the 11 month old bites when he's aggrevated - like it's an outlet for me. And I should mention, he only bites me. He's never bitten the other kids. He hits the other kids a bit but never bit them. I like the idea of the playpen. I think the 11 month old would get it pretty quickly, because he's very busy and likes to be in the thick of things, but the 14 month old is laisez fair, I'm not sure he'll catch on lol but it worked for his whining, so maybe it'll work for this.

The egg timer is great idea! I think I'll do that. And I've also decided I'm going to get him a treasure box with little trinkets that he can choose from once he's gone. So maybe that will be more incentive as well.

Thank you!

[godsgirl]

Great ideas! In a handful of months I'll be going down the potty train ride as well so these ideas will definitely help me out. I guess the only thing I could suggest about the treasure box is maybe not give him a treat EVERY TIME he goes to the bathroom otherwise it will turn into a game and he'll say he has to go to the bathroom all the time. Maybe try giving him a prize at the end of the day/week for no messes instead. That way it gives him something to work towards.

[michellesmunchkins]

I use stickers for potty training. I buy them a sticker book and each time they use the potty they add a sticker to their book and also one goes on their shirt so they can proudly walk around and show off their success to the other kiddos Once the book is full they can keep it (they are usually totally trained at daycare by then)

[Mamma_Mia]

For the treasure chest maybe make sure he TELLS you he has to go, meaning you didn't have to ask him and that he DOES use the potty. For my DD I did a star for every pee and a special Dora sticker for each poop. But all these have been me promting her to go. Now we're moving onto her telling me so I was thinking that if I don't hve to ask her all day than she gets a sticker. When she has 10+ days of me not having to ask her she will get whatever she wants from the dollar store.

I don't know....we'll see! haha