How to Get a Toddler to Stop Saying I Hate You
Parenting Tips for when kids say things we wish they wouldn't
My three year old says "I hate you." How can I get him to stop?
Kids will say all kinds of things you wish they wouldn't, especially todlers. At three, he's testing you. My advice is to stay on top of it. As soon as he says "I hate you," correct the behavior by saying, "We only say kind words to each other," and then take him to a quiet spot. Once he settles down, have him practice saying kind things. Every time he says something nice, praise him and let him know how good it feels when he says kind things. Then practice an apology by having him say something like "I'm sorry for being unkind. I'll only say kind things in the future." If the child refuses to apologize, have them stay in their room until they can come out and be kind. Then go back to what you were doing.
The key is to consistently correct the behavior as soon as it happens. Never let it slide.
If you have different suggestion on how to handle it, leave it in the comments, I'm sure this mother will appreciate it.
The way to correct a child's action
- Never let the behavior we want to stop slide
- When they make a mistake, have them practice the right thing to say or do
- Do it with love and compassion