Thank you for posting these tips. I can't wait to try some especially the mailbox idea. I think Colin will be most excited if he thinks he is getting mail everyday. I am sure this will inspire him to learn to read. I think Colin's lack of interest in learning to read is he sees nor reason for him to learn. I think the mail idea is a great idea to inspire him.

Parent class for babies should be this type of training instead of how to diaper or burp those things are easy to figure out. Disciplining a child is very important art.

My grandson is the same way. He is very energetic, all boy, and very playful. When you are not trying to get something done it is not so bad, but when you want to accomplish something it is a problem. He eventually grows out of his bad behavior by being consistent and following all the wonderful non-violent solutions, but it is tiring.

I understand that pinching his arm is a faster solution to the problems. I understand that the parent or caregiver should be in control. Yes, I watch Super Nanny but I don't think she ever uses violence. I think some children just challenge their parents or grandparents more then others. I will try to incorporate some more of the very good non-violent solutions I have received from this forum. I will let you know what works best.

I just do not think a 2 year old requires violence. When he was only 18 months old, my neighbor was mean to him because he went into her garage. I just can't understand being mean to a child. I understand how tiring it is. I understand how parents want their child to be the perfect little angel and have everyone comment how well behaved their children are. Trust me I would like to hear these comments, but not to the determent of the child.

My mother method of discipline was to be violent with us. We were generally well behaved because of the threat of violence. The violence was not normally required and very rare because we knew it would occur. I grew up not really liking my mother. I respect her and have a distant relationship with her, but I never went to her with any problems I ever had.

Being a grandparent, I hope to be vacationing and sipping drinks at the beach. But with the way the economy is going, who knows. Hopefully, I will have successfully helped raise two grandchildren to be teenagers.

This is a wonderful discussion, thank you.

Break into groups and each group gets a roll of toilet paper. One person is selected in the group and you diaper that person. Best diaper job wins! The person getting diapered can't move much or the toilet paper will rip. It is funny.

Well I have seen the daddy of my grandson pinch his upper arm as you say. I have seen the bruises that it has caused. I seen my grandson look at his mommy knowing see will not take on this bully then look at grandma to see if she would defend him then run to grandpa crying. So if you think this is effective way to discipline your child and do not consider it abuse I feel sorry for you. The reason his mother and I did not take him on is because he is a bully out of control. I guarantee you if I see him do it again I will take him on. I have seen him do it twice. I am very seldom around daddy because I do not like him. Yes, my grandson minds around him because he is terrified of him. My daughter is not very observant and has no idea what he is doing. He hides the pinch and does not make it obvious. But you can tell by the bruises and the look on his face. I am only the grandparent but it pains me to watch this behavior. I have pointed it out to my daughter. She is not aware he is doing it. She only sees that Colin behaves around him. Now as a grandparent I do not feel that I should interfere but I will if I think Colin is getting hurt. But, I really think daddy should discuss this with my daughter and let her have a say in disciplining the child.

My grandson behaves like Wenjonggal explains, but I would like a better way of dealing with him then pinching his arm. Colin is a good child but a handful. He behaves well at his school and they do not hit him or pinch him. They just have consistent rules with him. So I feel it is possible to get him to mind without abusing him. I think the problem is there is not consistent rules at home and grandmas.

I agree it sounds horrifying to me too. Kind of like my neighbor who picked up her child and about drilled him into the ground. He was bad but how forceful do you need to be with your child to make them mind. He was 7 years old and willfully disobedient but I would have rather seen him spanked then drilled in the ground.

Having 95 dolch nouns translated to french with pronunciation would be nice.

Phone fun

Print out these numbers to make a giant phone keypad and teach your child their phone number or to dial 911 in and emergency.

http://www.toddlertoddler.com/todays_phone_numbers.htm

Fishing with Magnets

Cut out various sizes of fish from construction paper. Place a paper clip on the nose of each fish.
Make fishing poles by using fat wooden dowels or paper towel holders.  Tie one end of the string to the dowel or paper towel tube. Tie a round magnet on the other end of the fishing pole. Teach your child to fish and see how many fish they can catch (counting).

Magnet fun

  *Large assortment of magnets

Learn vocabulary

•   Magnet
•   Magnetic – what does it mean if something is magnetic?
•   Non-magnetic – what does it mean if something is non-magnetic?
•   Metal
•   Magnetic attraction – explain that this is a force that pulls two items together.
•   Magnetic repulsion – this is a force that pushes two items apart.
•   Magnetic field or force

Let them test with a variety of objects whether they are magnetic or not. show them how magnets attract and repel.

Magic tube

    *Long mailing tube

You can drop anything through this tube and they will be captivated for a long time. Coins, cars, whatever.

Walk the Plank

    * Flat piece of wood that is at least an inch thick and 5 feet long

Lay the board on the grass or indoors on a rug and show your toddler how to walk across it with your hands extended to the sides for balance. Once they have mastered walking the plank on the ground you can raise the plank an inch or two.

Sticky Feet

    * Clear contact paper
    * Tape

Cut a piece of clear contact paper at least 2 feet long. Remove the backing and tape the contact paper, sticky side up, to the ground. Toddlers will have fun running, jumping, dancing, or just standing on the paper.