Comments on: Top 10 Ways to Keep a 2 Year Old Quiet

By: Sarahcobbs

Sarahcobbs — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:49:32 +0000

I’ll try to use these tactics with my sons! Hope that will help. Thank You!

By: san diego listings

san diego listings — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 04:53:21 +0000

I have 2 year old daughter and I will definitely use this tactics. Thanks for information.

By: danielle

danielle — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:33:31 +0000

Oops, I guess I should have sdrolled down and read the comments before I posted one. I guess my point was one that everyone jumped on. But I think as parents or parents to be, we can all understand that we are looking out for all the children in our area and just have the best intentions!

By: danielle

danielle — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:26:26 +0000

Ok. I like this article and as a Parent and a Nanny with 3, yes 3 two year olds in tow, I am aware of these precious quiet times and find many ways to entertain quietly. BUT I must comment on the last topic of praise and such. YES please, PLEASE remember to make a fuss about how good your toddler is when they behave, but PLEASE NEVER tell your toddler they are BAD! They might make a bad choice but your children are not BAD. And they understand the difference between being a bad child or making a bad choice in their behavior. So think before you use your words, parents, because these children do hear you.

By: kaylee

kaylee — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:34:52 +0000

I tell my kids that there are ninjas or hippos out in the hallway or behind the door and that if they are not quite they may hear us. Or I sometimes pretend there are crocadiles under their chairs so they wont get up and run around. Some times it produces a little shushing and quiet giggling so I wouldnt recomend this for a wedding or a funeral, or for a child who is prone to phobia.

By: p0ntus

p0ntus — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:14:08 +0000

Here’s one: Don’t take your kid to somber events. If there’s something that requires hours of sitting around doing nothing and being quiet, it’s not worth attending, especially with a child. This includes memorial services and weddings. These should be moments of joy about two people being bonded or happy memories shared with family members about the deceased; not some dour, near-silent ceremonial tripe from some priest who doesn’t even know the assembled. I understand the idea of paying respects and all that, but to ask a 2-year-old to sit still and shut up for hours is way beyond that. It’s unnatural.

Yes, my son is quiet when it suits the situation – in fact, he’s very introspective – but I’d never trick him into silence if he was interested in something. After all, if he’s bored, then the situation is boring, and likely, I’m also bored. When he acts up in a public realm that can’t be avoided (grocery, doctor, etc.), where other people can be bothered, he is chided, verbally, such that he know when and where to be loud or energetic and regains composure until an opportune time to unleash his vitality, such as when we return home or stop at a park.

When my father dies, I intend to have a party, to celebrate his life, not some awful ritual. And my son will be free to run around shouting and cavorting however he likes, because that is what my father enjoys in him most. I’m sorry that you worry about appearances and the reputation of you and your family and all that. It’s sad that children cannot just be children.

Clearly I have gotten off topic, and maybe I shouldn’t be posting at all, since this article is obviously not for a person like me. Still, I think you should take a look at your priorities and your motivation to use such “tricks” on your child. If it’s necessary to fool your child into an unnatural state of silence and motionlessness, then maybe you should reconsider why you are where you are in the first place.

By: emma

emma — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:07:08 +0000

Great ideas – INCLUDING the last one. Children shouldn’t be coddled and treated like porcelain toys. If all I ever got for misbehaving as a child was “you are a bad girl”, I’d be a very different person. As it was, my dad had no hesitation about taking me outside and giving me a good spanking when I “tested my boundaries”. At the age of two, children don’t really respond well to reason and quiet placating. However, I’ve found they do respond well to knowing that if they disobey, it’s going to result in something they really don’t like – a spanking, or a strict reprimand.

I’ll definitely keep these ideas in mind, thank you!

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:21:39 +0000

Are you others really not reading Kim’s response after some people took offense to TWO WORDS on her blog??? She stated that she had self reflected and would in the future separate behavior from child, although I don’t feel it’s needed. I agree with Annette’s statements on children thinking about others and respecting authority.
I teach kindergarten and frequently encounter parents who are in denial of their children’s behavior in school. Nobody wants their child to make poor choices, but it happens. If the “poor choices” are not corrected early, what will the “poor choices” turn into???
I hope that a majority of parents are teaching their children the importance of good behavior!!! I spend a lot of time at home and at work talking and modeling what are acceptable behaviors and what are not acceptable!!!

By: Annette

Annette — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:12:20 +0000

As a mother of six, I have a hard time reading some of the blogs that have been posted. I find it interesting that parents today are so worried about protecting the self esteem of their children and JUMP on Kim’s choice of words. If only more parents were worried about how their two year olds were behaving and not chalking it up to “being a toddler.” They will likely be the same parents that say…”they are only teenagers.” I am sure Kim’s daughter did not hear, ” I am a bad girl”, but did however understand that what she did was unacceptable. If only more parents were willing to go out on the limb that society won’t go out on, because they are worried about how their child will feel! It is my strong belief that we need to teach our children the principle of respect and that life does not center around them! Did Grandma really care if she hurt our feelings when she disciplined us? She did care that we knew how to respect her and authority!! Kim, keep doing what you are doing, I admire and appreciate your boldness.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:20:53 +0000

I agree with everything except the “Bad Girl” idea. I never, ever tell my kids they are bad girls. I may not like their behavior, but I would never want them to feel that they are inherently bad. Not a good idea.

Otherwise, great. At this point we try not to take our 2 and 4 year olds out to too many oublic events because it’s just not fun for us or them. But if we have to, food is always a great distractor.

And to Nuno Lagoa: You’re joking right? If not, get over yourself, please.