Discipling twins

The twins are now 19 months and are constantly getting into trouble. We have a port a cot in the lounge as we use for our time out place but it doesn't seem to be working.

They constantly pull each others hair, throw toys, climb on the table etc. Sometimes its just one so we put them in the time out zone and others it both. When they are both in the play pen they tend to wrestle or pull each others hair. When they both are in trouble they think its a great laugh. They also tend to egg each other on.

What did you do that worked? I would imagine that it is constantly 'evolving'!

We had this problem too, still do in fact lol. We tried intorducing time outs at around 18months but I think they were still too young to understand it so it wasn't really working for us. We are only just now at 2 & a half finding time out effective. Up until now we found distraction over disipline much more effective. I used to keep a handful of toys hiden in the linen cuboard then if they were being naughty I would pull them out and get really excited over the "new" toys lol. Sometimes I think the fighting and naughty behaviour just steams from pure boredom. I know my two are at there worst behaviour during winter when we are cooped up indoors most days. Thank goodness Spring is finally here!

Hi, if it's any conselation (spel?) my boys worst constant behaivour was when they were 18 months old where they didn;t have the language to voice everything and therefore took their frsutrations out on each other.

We use their cots for when their naugthy but we pick our battles - sometimes it's distraction but if it's something they know they're not meant to do (over just being bored or frustarted/needing attention) we give them a warning and then time out. Works most of the time unless they are tired/bored or want attention!!!

We've found now that they know words to express themselves we find it easier (and harder to reason with sometimes). I.e. it's often one of them saying 'my turn' pulling at their brother toy and we've put alot of emphasis on it being 'J's turn now and after E can have a go' or 'it's mum turn and then you can have a turn' which helps a bit - won't quite work at their age yet.

Ride it out as that was a horendous age for my boys.

keep em busy, keep them seperate if you can.
My little angels used to love pulling eachothers hair in shopping trolleys and pushcahirs, as soon as they got out and walked, issue was over. They still fight, (very rarely though) but I swear it's more like having 2 kids who just happen to share a birthday.

Hi Guest_66521 my twins are now two. I do remember that age being tricky. There are a few tips above also but I recommend keeping them busy as much as possible new activities, play with pots pans, rotate toys, get outside as much as possible I was lucky it was spring/summer but if you can get them outside there is plenty of leaves, twigs, dirt, stones to explore so no need to fight. I think it is worthing investing in some good overalls for playing outside in cold/damp weather. I know my two are better behaved if they have been outside for 15-30 mins.

Distraction is key, try to intervene before the snatch happens.... not always possible I know.

At 16 mths they usually can't say much if anything but they can understand alot. A technique I use is to be their narator saying things like 'It looks like you want B's train, B is playing with it right now. When B is finished you can have a turn. What else can you play with?' Basically trying to express what I thought each wanted/was feeling and suggest a resolution. This works sometimes and even if you feel a bit silly saying it I think it pays off in the end I think my two play really well together now, sure they have their moments but they don't contantly fight.

I really emphasized the taking turns part too. So funny as turnie turnie became one of their first words which they even use when I'm eating something they want. You know Mums food is always better even when its exactly the same...

I still don't do time out with 2 yr olds I still don't think they would understand. When they are older I may consider something but will be more termed thinking time or similar to reflect on our actions rather than time out which sounds like a punishment.

Good luck....this stage will pass