How do I stop my 2-year-old old son from lying down on the floor when he doesn't get what he wants?

Everytime I ask my 2-year-old son to pick up this toys (or when he doesn't get what he wants), he'll say "no want" and lays down on the floor. When you go to pick him up, he just lets his body go limp. It drives me absolutely crazy! How can I get him to stop doing this?

Answers:
If he is doing this because he didn't get what he wants just completely ignore him and walk around him as if he isn't even there. He is trying to get attention and being ignored is absolute torture for a child that age. A comment to the effect of "If you act like this you won't get what you want later either" can help. If you are in a store, you scoop him up, put everything that was his back on the shelf (so he can see you do it) and leave.

If he is doing this because he won't pick up his toys, tell him that if he doesn't put his toys away then you will put them away and he can't have them. If he doesn't move (which he probably won't the first time) carry out the threat. Put them away where he can't get them for a while. If he freaks out, the time doesn't start until he calms down. Explain that you told him that this would happen and start ignoring him.

The trick is to be absolutely calm and unemotional. Kids try to mess with your emotions so you need to wall up. Act as if you just don't care that he is upset because he doesn't have a valid reason for being upset.

The idea is the get him to associate "I do bad things" with "bad things happen to me". Later, if you are in a situation where he would normally freak out and he doesn't, reward him for being good. Whenever I take mine to the grocery store, they are allowed to get one thing each (and one thing only) and they only get it if they are good. If at anypoint they misbehave, I simply point out that they won't get their one thing.

Always let him know what you are rewarding or punishing for because he might not make the connection himself. I am not lying, it will be tough and it is a lot of work but in the longrun life will be easier.

Ignore him and he;ll stop

More Questions & Answers...

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.

How do I stop my 2-year-old old son from lying down on the floor when he doesn't get what he wants?

Pregnancy & Parenting