My mom used to scream at me. Really really scream, all through my childhood. It was quite traumatizing and affected my relationship with her long-term. I vowed not to do that with my own kids.

I found 1-2-3 Magic really helpful when I started finding myself yelling at my toddler. It's as much for the parents as for controlling bad behavior in the kid. It gives you a tactic to manage misbehavior calmly, feeling like you have some semblance of control over the situation, and that you are in charge. In your case at the restaurant, I would have simply started counting when your DD was throwing food (or given her just one warning and then a time-out, in the restaurant). I have found that this works extremely well. My son is 28 months but we started right around age 2.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just keep reminding yourself - she's only 23 months. She doesn't think ahead, she doesn't understand how you are feeling or how to make things easier for you, etc.

And be consistent with discipline. If you feel like you are losing your temper, give yourself a time out and take some deep breaths.

As others said I don't think a stern "no" or "stop" is out of line. Also, if she's throwing food simply take the food away. She's old enough to know not to throw food (and not to hit or kick).

Actually that's WRONG. They don't know right from wrong and WHY its wrong until between 3 and 4. It's called the age of reason. Try reading Positive Discipline for Toddlers. It's SO helpful!

Nonsense. My kids had a very very basic understanding of right and wrong by a yr and by two they had a good enough understanding that a look or a couple words was usually enough. Could they write an essay on it, no but did they understand there was right and wrong - absolutely. To say kids don't know right from wrong until 3 or 4 is very much underestimating the intelligence and ability of young children. They aren't stupid just because they are young.