Nah, she really doesn't. And like I said, we tried spanking and it didn't work so we found another method.

It's almost like magic!

This this this! When you're actually in the trenches, it's a much different story than whatever Mrs. Mommyblogger is going on about in her latest article about how time outs in the special timeout room she constructed based on a Pinterest pin leave everyone feeling relaxed and blah blah blah.

I agree completely. I'm a big believer in finding what works and being flexible. As long as nobody's being hurt or traumatized, I think it's good for parents to open to different stuff, especially since kids don't really care what the latest research says or what your spiritual adviser thinks... they are their own…

Love it!

Love it! Ours has virtually stopped dumping her drinks out ("spill proof" isn't a guarantee) since we've started handing her paper towels and having her wipe up her own mess. We don't make a big deal out of it. It's just "Uhoh! You spilled your milk? Well, here's your paper towel, clean it up."

Yeah, I always got along better with guys than other girls. I mean, I get along fine with girls. But I grew up loving baseball, shooting, etc. so I often had more in common with boys my age until we all hit those awkward years.

exactly - and I'm really glad that you found something that works well for you guys, especially since it sounds pleasant! Your friends that are poking fun are probably jealous :P I know I'm a little jealous!

The damnedest thing is that mine isn't a holy terror. She's pretty much amazing, like almost all the time. But on those occasions when she's naughty or when she loses her temper... she's nuts. She'll do the "Disney princess," as I call it, and throw herself onto a chair and scream dramatically. She'll throw shit, too.…

One of our friends has a child that's autistic and he has a visibly difficult time in social situations. I always feel like I want to help, but I don't know how to so I just let his parents know that I'm supportive, if they need anything. I hope you've got some good support and wish you the best of luck!

Great points - I've always been able to keep communication open with her big sister, so I really can't wait till we get to that point. I'm much better at the "tell mommy what's up and we can try to figure out a solution" thing. Even though she doesn't understand it yet, I automatically respond to a tantrum with, "when…

Y'know, I've tried that with my daughter and I've found that it's a really bad idea because she will literally claw at my face if I try to touch her when she's in a rage. That just gives me something to punish her for when she's already doing something I don't want her to do, so I don't give her the chance - I just…

My mom used to stand me against a wall and one time she forgot about me and I fell asleep and fell over! It didn't really do anything except make me feel cross-eyed.

I appreciate your advice - a few points:

Well, our pediatrician has kids about our age, so it's more like comparing notes and less like "rah rah medical advice!"

Yeah, I'm really big on people doing what works for their families, as long as nobody's getting hurt or anything. And that means that you've gotta recognize what can and can't work.

Oh, yeah! That's something else we do - we learned that with our oldest.

I used to call her play yard her "baby kennel," I think we're on the same page. :P

Aww, thanks. I can only try. I don't always feel awesome - I feel like all of us go through stuff and just feel like we're clueless or defeated. But, y'know, I try to act with the best intentions as much as possible.

AGREE. So much. My oldest is a scaredy cat and a sweetheart. My youngest apparently does not understand the concept of fear and, while she's also a sweetheart, she's a lot harder to deal with when she's angry.