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The greatest challenge when it comes to disciplining is not to back down to avoid conflict. You cannot give in at the grocery store just to avoid a showdown. Stick to those guns and remember it will be worth it in the long run.

Being consistent is the biggest key to successful discipline. When your child knows what will happen if he does a certain thing, he will stop doing it. (Just realize that it may take a number of times for him to eliminate the disapproving behaviour.) Don’t wait to discipline your child. He won’t remember why he is in trouble more than five minutes after the crime.

Pick your battles that you actually decide on having with your child. Saying “No!” a million times a day will lose its usefulness. You may want to put the behaviours in categories, such as large ones, medium ones and those not worth mentioning. When you comment on the negative behaviour make the comment short and sweet. Telling them in short and sweet sentences is way more effective than long dragged out ones. Remember to focus on the behaviour and not the child. (Never tell your child that HE is bad.)

While disciplining your child remember to remind your child that you love them. That tells them the reason why you are setting limits, you love them.

Catch your child being good. Praising good behaviour makes them want to be good. If you are always pointing out the bad things they will feel worthless and not try to be good. If you don’t recognize they will stop trying.

Don’t negotiate and make false promises in the heat of the moment. Avoid saying, “If you behave I’ll buy you that you want.” Never resort to this or else, you’ll create a toddler whose behaviour will always come with a costly price tag.

Above all it’s good to be a role model. If you are calm under pressure, your child will be calm too. (Remember they watch you and like to copy everything you do…everything.)