Ugh! Lauren is a really good kid, I swear;) In fact, things have gotten a bit better since I actually convinced DH to work with me on distraction/redirection techniques. Our big problem right now is her love for throwing things. She throws everything....her toys, her sippy cup, the remote, whatever. It hurts, a lot. But what scares me more than anything is that she throws things at the dog all the time and he REALLY doesn't like it and growls at her when she does it...and I don't blame him!. I keep trying to tell her "no, don't throw your cup at mama....throw the ball" and then giving her one of her little pingpong sized balls from a toy, but she throws that and the cup and thinks she's quite funny. Any ideas or should I just keep plugging along with the ball idea? Help!

Jamie

Jamie - when my children have trouble with discresion - I make the action no in all circumstances.

For example - my kids don't have the ability to understand that though momma may not mind them jumping on our old sofa - most folks do mind them doing it on their sofa. They do not have the self control to NOT jump on other's furniture, so I make it a rule that across the board, we may not jump on furniture.

So, since Lauren doesn't seem to get that some things are okay to throw and some aren't, I wouldn't let her throw anything in the house for a while. (I won't take too long for her to move on to a new joy). Of course, then there would need to be consequences for throwing.

Sometimes that consequence can be as simple as taking the thrown object and putting it up on the fridge and say "we don't throw" Or maybe a change of location. It dosn't have to be a major consequence or even long lasting - but that something negative happens when I throw stuff in the house.

If you are honestly worried about the dog biting her, then this needs to be "one of those battles you fight". The good thing is, when you win one of those battles you pick, you reenforce your authority in their eyes and the next battle is easier (mommy means what she says).

Hope this helps - Melinda

I agree that you have to stop her from throwing things. The dog is warning everyone that his patience is wearing and you don't want him to bite her. :(

Maybe rolling, could you teach her how to roll stuff?

Katie