Quirky discipline rules that work

As a mother of a toddler, you are constantly trying to battle their stubbornness, their irritations, frustrations and their tantrums. You try every trick you have heard, read and even gained from the experienced parents in the neighbourhood or relatives. Here are some quirky rules, which sometimes are not even rules but just laid down facts; and surprisingly their clarity and enforceability make them work despite all odds.

RULE #1: You can't be in same room as me, unless you're working too

The objective here is to get your child to help you around or at least stop bugging you, while you do the chores. Keep 2 things in mind here.

One: The kids want to be around you as much as possible.

Two: You can't really force them to help you.

So you just give them an option. Either you sit here and help me with some work or go elsewhere because you can't just sit here and watch me. Whatever they choose; either they stay and help OR get away and let you complete the work; you win.

RULE #2: Mummies don't work past a certain deadline

While this might take a little more time to get used too; your kids and family have always had you available round the clock. The objective here is to regularize bedtime and also find the time for you.

Set a rule that post a pre-decided time you will not engage in any activity related to the kids. Before that you are more than willing to spend as much time as needed, reading them stories, playing with them, bathing them, putting them to bed etc. But as the clock strikes you become Cinderella.

Not only will the kids rush to make sure they get the most time with you, even your husband will also help around knowing that otherwise he will have to manage the rest all by himself.

RULE #3: You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit

Dealing with a tantrum over serving the milk in the red and not the green mug, or which cupcake had more cream than the other, or even why did the other toddler get a better gift than me is next to impossible. With kids sometimes using direct but little harsh facts not only work well, but even get them ready to face the competitive world ahead.

Let them deal with the situation and accept it.