How do I stop toy throwing? My son is two and he is becoming a real terror. He throws his toys and anything else in reach down the stairs (over the gate). I’ve tried a whole variety of tactics – being nice, telling him off firmly, smacking his hand, shouting, confiscating the toys, and even ignoring him. But he’s completely unmoved. In fact, he laughs. The problem is, he’s causing real damage. I think the problem is attention-seeking, as it seems to happen when I’m going to the toilet or getting dressed, but how do I stop it? There are two simple ways to solve this problem. First, allocate a…

Dealing with a sensitive child. What is the best approach to have with my two and half year old? My two-and-a-half year old daughter has always been a very emotional and sensitive child. She bursts into tears for the slightest reason. For instance, if she can’t find the right piece for the jigsaw, she falls over or someone speaks sharply, she gets hysterical unless she is picked up and cuddled. My husband and I are having major rows over how to deal with this. I feel we have to toughen her up a bit before she starts nursery at three years old, but my husband disagrees and says that it…

Thomas, who is 2yrs 7mths won’t let me wash his hair. Since our son Thomas was about 18 months old, it has been a real struggle to wash his hair. He has always moaned, but now it has developed into a battle where he will kick and scream, especially during the rinsing stage. I have bought different types of halos, but after a few sessions he still protests. He is now 2 years 7 months, but shows no sign of getting any better. Have you any ideas on how to make this time of the week less stressful? Toddlers and small children often find having their hair washed an uncomfortable…

My three year old rules the house. My daughter Emily-Jo is getting worse by the day. It’s getting to the point that my husband and I are arguing about her all the time. She is constantly demanding things she wants, and never stops until we give in to her. This behavior could go on and on for days. She never listens to us, and always manages to get her own way. I have tried to calm her down, but nothing works. She doesn’t sleep well so that does not help either. She is currently under hospital supervision as my health visitor thought that she might have signs of “ADHD”, but…

My 26-month-old daughter demands juice all day and has tantrums a lot. My daughter is, and always has been, very strong willed. She was a good eater up until the age of 13 months when she refused to be spoon fed. She was having 2 bottles of milk a day and slept all night and had 2 naps during the day. She ate a limited variety of finger foods for 6 months (e.g. organic baby bars, bread & butter, rusks, sausages and anything sweet). One day she started eating with a spoon and tucked in to fromage frais, porridge and fruit puree. Slowly she started eating toast, fish fingers, potato…