How do you discipline your kids?

[Kalea]

My kids (8 and 3) are not often perfect in relaxed situations, and with all the heat/humidity plus the excitement of being at Disney... I'm worried!

How do you approach discipline while at Disney? Those of you that are Disney vets, how do your kids usually do? Have you ever had to go beyond a time out? Ever had to leave a park?

I'm hoping mine will behave well, but I want to have a plan just in case.

 

[victoriavictorious]

I'm curious about this situation as well. I will be taking my hyperactive ADHD 6 year old son by myself in September. Sometimes just going out to eat or the grocery store with him is a struggle. I know alot of people will say after noon breaks back at the hotel, but I know my son, and sometimes mentioning leaving the parks is bound to cause a bigger uproar with him than a case of the grouchies.

 

[Spunky946]

We usually don't have to discipline our kids at disney. They were 8 and 4 on our last trip. The biggest problem we had was them fighting over which ride/attraction we should do next. We would usually work out a compromise.

 

[WDWNext]

This is a tough call.
My DD6 got cranky about 3-4 times over 9 days, mostly at me or DW, we would just stop and discuss for a couple of minutes or the other (calm) parent would take her away for a ride and meet up after say 15-20 mins.
Also it was our first, so we could always build up the excitement for the next ride, it worked a couple of times and keeps them eager to obey.

Agreed with pp.... Disney is probably the worst place to exercise discipline, everyone just work around now, cmon.

On a side note.... Its not always the kids fault ! It can be stressful for everyone.

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

I always review the touring plan with my 3 boys before we leave and have an exit plan in mind if needed. I also pick my battles and go with the flow. I have never had any major meltdowns that necessitated punishment in the 10 years I have been traveling solo with them. I always discuss the expectations and consequences ahead of time. I wouldn't stress out ahead of time. There's going to be so many distractions that I wouldn't worry.

 

[tsme]

In the past, when my DD has gotten ugly with us, I look around & find an area that is as quiet as possible away from the crowds. I take her there, sit down (or bend down eye level), tell her what she's doing is unacceptable & that we're are going to stay in that area until she has calmed down. That has always worked for me. Once she's sat down & rested for a few minutes, she's more reasonable, in a better mood, & ready to continue.

 

[DisneyWisher]

There were days we didnt want to leave midday so we'd grab a booth at Cosmic Rays and take a 90 min lunch. Just relaxing in the a/c helped. We'd wait til the lunch rush was over. I'm sad that they no longer offer ice cream inside but there is a cart right outside by Indy Speedway or soft serve closer to Stitch, grab some and go sit in Cosmic Rays. first time We tried this was a late lunch. It was taking so long for the food they gave us free king size crunch ice cream bars. My girls were 12, 3, and 10. I allowed them to eat the ice cream before their food so it wouldn't melt. I have pics of them and the tweens have looks of bliss. They still joke about it now and they are 19, 27, and 29. After that I learned just sitting and unwinding a bit helps a lot.

 

[lucyem]

For our kids 99% of the time we find that grouchiness in the parks is related to hunger or being tired or both. We address the situation whether it is food or some down time. Downtime can be just letting loose in a play area for a bit or time at the hotel pool. So we keep an eye on it and try and nip it in the bud. It's amazing how everyone is happier after a mickey bar

 

[jennyjinx3]

I was going to suggest maybe preventative things? Just making sure to stop for breaks, food and cool areas can go a long way to stopping meltdowns before they occur. Even though the urge may be there to go go go, pushing little ones too far can backfire. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[donalduck]

If the kids are acting up I just go back to the car and lock them in and then I just go back to the park. Done I fixed the issue.

 

[jennyjinx3]

For our kids 99% of the time we find that grouchiness in the parks is related to hunger or being tired or both. We address the situation whether it is food or some down time. Downtime can be just letting loose in a play area for a bit or time at the hotel pool. So we keep an eye on it and try and nip it in the bud. It's amazing how everyone is happier after a mickey bar

Great minds think alike! I think we were posting almost the exact same thing at the same time!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

For our kids 99% of the time we find that grouchiness in the parks is related to hunger or being tired or both. We address the situation whether it is food or some down time. Downtime can be just letting loose in a play area for a bit or time at the hotel pool. So we keep an eye on it and try and nip it in the bud. It's amazing how everyone is happier after a mickey bar

I have to agree, I find this is also our family at Disney

Good Luck!

 

[Smokeyspawn]

My kids (8 and 3) are not often perfect in relaxed situations, and with all the heat/humidity plus the excitement of being at Disney... I'm worried!

How do you approach discipline while at Disney? Those of you that are Disney vets, how do your kids usually do? Have you ever had to go beyond a time out? Ever had to leave a park?

I'm hoping mine will behave well, but I want to have a plan just in case.

Consistancy. Kids will rise to the expectations they are held to consistantly. Have raised kids 13, 10, 6, and now 20 months. Each kid behaves because they are expected to. You teach them their entire life so when the performance comes, they are ready. WDW is the perfromance. We've never taken a child younger than 3 mind you, but each time we've gone, the kids have been great. We may be pressing our luck this october taking our 2 year old daughter but I'm confident she too will rise to the occasion. When she starts getting cranky, we will take a break. We will do the nap times. We will have drinks and snacks on hand at all time. In the end, kids feed off our anxiety. If you are nervous, they will sense it and anxiety is not an emotion that young kids cope with very well. Just relax and expect that they will make you proud. More than likely, they will.

 

[ttintagel]

It's probably important to try to be consistent and use the same methods you'd use in other public places.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Don't have kids myself, but I've seen enough parents at WDW screaming at, and even smacking their kids when they get out of hand. I don't know why they think that yelling and, God Forbid, hitting a child will calm the situation-it makes me wonder what they'd do to them in private if this is how they "discipline" in public.

I agree that a quick Time Out in a semi-secluded location would probably work best. The child is out of the public eye where they are acting up, and is given time to calm down and think. I've been cranky on occasion there when my feet hurt, I'm hungry, or hot and sweaty. I wouldn't expect a child to handle it any better than me.

 

[LisaTC]

Wow, you guys are awesome...so many times this type of thread can go, shall we say AWRY! Kudos on the good advice and politeness. I find kids misbehave when they have some need unmet, as mentioned previously, ie., hunger, rest, thirst, comfort, bathroom, etc. I saw so many meltdowns at Disney with so many frustrated parents and I just wanted to say to them (the parents) I know you spent a lot of money on this trip, but that poor baby is tuckered out! We get on the train or the paddleboat at MK. We sit at Epcot or go on the ride in the ball or throw coins in the fountain. She did very well, I must say both trips. When she started to get "iffy" it was because of tiredness. People mover is good for a break as well. I'd just ask her, what do you want to do now and sometimes she'd say, sit or get a drink of water and the mood improved immensely. You know what to do! Granted you are at Disneyworld - sensory overload times 1000. However, our DD knows rules are rules and there are some non-negotiables (courtesy, etc) So, I'd take her aside and sit and review what she knows, ie., is that how we talk to each other, etc? When you put a kid in an unusual scenario, you can get unusual results compared to if you were at home. WDW is just plain fun, but just plain tiring, too!

 

[JustAKid]

If the kids are acting up I just go back to the car and lock them in and then I just go back to the park. Done I fixed the issue.

This is what I would do, too. That, or hop to AK and have them pick their stick.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

For our kids 99% of the time we find that grouchiness in the parks is related to hunger or being tired or both. We address the situation whether it is food or some down time. Downtime can be just letting loose in a play area for a bit or time at the hotel pool. So we keep an eye on it and try and nip it in the bud. It's amazing how everyone is happier after a mickey bar

Agree. Remember that the point is to have fun and enjoy yourselves. If your child is having a breakdown, no one is having fun, and at that point, it might be worth it to miss out on some park time to take a break. You won't have a good trip with kids if your goal is to do as much as possible.

If the kids are acting up I just go back to the car and lock them in and then I just go back to the park. Done I fixed the issue.

I had not thought of this idea, but am putting it in my back pocket for next trip when we might have a rental car!

 

[wtrowbridge]

Be prepared to go with the flow! Don't feel like you have to stick to a schedule or see 10 attractions within 2 hours. The less stressed you are, the less likely your kids will be stressed. I agree with everyone above in that, typically, if a child throws a fit, it is because they are tired or hungry. We once went into Cosmic Rays after standing in the Cars line forever, and getting out of it without riding the ride, because my then 3 year old was having a meltdown. We stayed calm, walked to the restuarant, got him something to drink and proceeded to let him fall asleep in the booth, where he napped for 2.5 hours. It was fine, we just relaxed and enjoyed the air conditioning. By the time he woke up he was like a brand new kid and was good to go all the way through the 10pm fireworks!

 

[lroger01]

One rule I always had that helps is the "One Foot Rule".

When entering a public place, I just have to yell out - The One Foot Rule is now in Effect!

That means each child must keep one foot on the ground at all times. Kids will go a bit crazy the first time you make the rule trying to find a way to be bad and still obey, but there isn't a way. They can't run, climb, skip, hop, hang on que dividers, stand on their head or anything other than stand and walk!

For the smart alecky kids (like mine were) you might have to clarify a few details:

The definition of "ground" is: the ground, a step or stair, escalator, or moving walkway. When sitting, one foot must be on the ground. If that is too far away, then the butt must stay on the seat.

A kid that disobeyed had to hold my hand until they could walk nicely. I didn't need anymore punishment than that, but a time out could work too.

This rule worked, because it was black and white. Either one foot was on the ground or it wasn't. No "you must be good, or no ice cream" nonsense. What is good? How will the kid know if they are complying?

Anyway, I suggest anyone with preschool or elementary aged kids give it a try.