How to Teach 18 Month Old Twins to Stop Throwing Their Sippy Cups?

All kids go through this. I personally dont believe in hitting. Why do think kids hit other kids?? Because they get hit at home!! Plus you don't want one twin hitting the other since he saw you do it. Kids imitate every thing. Kids have to be taught everything. For me this is what worked. When it happened I picked up the sippy and said "Milk all done" and put it back in the frig. He learned that this wasn't what he wanted so he stopped throwing it. Then I noticed at the end of mealtime he would throw it too...so I would try to get to him before that or pick it up and ask "all done?"....Now he knows to give it to me and voices "done". They will learn!

D.,
Have you tried spanking? I know it's not a common practice these days, but I find a little spat on the hand at this age worked for me great. I don't mean an all out beating, just a spat on the hand with a firm "no". Just a thought for you...

Your initial reaction to the boys became a game to them...Due to their age it is still a game even though you try to remain neutral, no facial expressions...Little ones can read body behavior and there is something that you and your husband are doing that still makes this a game to them.

I would suggest that you do this: The first time they throw the cup, you give it back with a firm "no"...The second time you give it back without a word or looking at them...The third time, you place the cup on the counter top away from them and walk away...At this point they will probably cry/tantrum but resist the urge to say anything to them...Each time they throw, repeat the same steps but after the first firm "no", the second step will be to take the cup and place on counter top away from them...The next time, instead of saying anything, just place cup on counter top...

Each time you give them a cup, remind them that "sippy cups are not for throwing"...As a reward for not throwing, I would take them to store and let them pick their own new sippy cup...

This is just the first of many tests your boys will put you through as they learn about boundaries...

Have you tried ending whatever meal is accompanying the sippy cups the minute ANYTHING is thrown by them to the floor? This is a Love and Logic idea that worked wonders for us with our now three-year-old daughter.

Just say "uh oh, this is sooo sad" and mean it! (As in, feel sad for them that they have made this unfortunate decision.) Dinner's over! Then take away the whole meal or snack and do not give it back. This may sound cruel, but I don't think you'll have to do it much. You may even find that one twin learns from the other's experience. Good luck!

You might think this sounds mean, but it's the only thing that has worked on my 18 month old girl who LOVES throwing stuff. I just thumped her on the hand every time she threw something. It doesn't really hurt, it just stings a little, just enough that she won't want it again.

The suggestions give are great. I don't know if this would be detrimental to the other suggestions or not, but if you are in a place where it's very importatnt they not throw their cups (in a restaurant or on a plane or something), you may want to try hooking the cup to their high chair, stroller, etc. I had these plastic straps that you could use to connect to the handle of the sippy cup. I liked it when we were out and the kids were in a stroller b/c the cup didn't fall on the nasty floor! My kids didn't throw their cups though, this was more of a cleanliness issue. But, I didn't get frustrated either b/c the cup was attached to the chair and I wasn't crawling on the floor looking for it.

Above all, consistancy is the key! Hang in there!

You need and will LOVE...

Love and Logic.

There are classes, however most are geared for elementary age, but they have materials--even a DVD---for younger....check them out online. It will help you take care of YOU....

Spank them when they trow it. That should end it.

I am a mother of 4 month old twin boys and I am a member of Fort Worth Moms of Multiples Club. Many of the mothers have suggested reading and using the Love & Logic method. I am planning to get these books very soon since the method is also useful with little ones. I have heard nothing but praise for this method. I hope this helps you.

www.loveandlogic.com

Perhaps the Early Childhood Package would be a good place to start. The club suggested just reading the Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood:Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years (Book) first. Some mothers said they read it 3-4 times.

Some schools require teachers to learn this method. From what my friends that are teacher they say it is wonderful.

Good luck and I hope this helps you.

The little girl I used to babysit had a bad habbit of doing this. She would take a sip and then throw it on the floor. She taught my daughter to do the same.

First- dont react in a manner that is going to think this is a game!

What i did is when she did it i would say in a calm but firm voice while shanking your finger to say no. "No, we do not throw our sippy cup. We SET them DOWN when we are done." I would show her to set it down. i would set it down on the floor where ever she left it (up right position) and she would come back to it when she wanted it. But if she continued to do it for spite reasons she would loose the sippy cup all together. If she cried to get it back I would hand it to her she would take a drink and then we would set it down together.

..it took a few months but she picked it up. My daughter now sets it on what ever is close or she hands it to me when she is done.

Good luck

Hi D., I would use Love and Logic method also. Like they say, take the sip cup away and don'r give it back, and it is also VERY important - do NOT give them any more warnings.
Good luck

A good spanking sounds like it is in order. No one will die from it you have to get their attention and mean business. Use a different tone in your voice from your regular one. If they throw the cups they don't need them and put it in the sink no return. End the meal no more food, get down and go about your business. Meal done. Period. If they are like this in a restaurant, take it away, no food. If they get too bad pick up and leave. Just be firm and consistent. Remember this - who is the parent and who is the child?

My kids never did this is a store because they knew mom would get them and correct them. I made a vow that when my family went out no matter where it would be a pleasant experience not one where the people say Oh, here comes Bob and Kathy and those kids! (It's like run and hide don't answer the door!).

Manners begin at home at an early age. No one wants to be near unruly kids even if they are smiling nicely at you they are thinking otherwise.

Hi D.,

I have been there and understand your frustration. Unfortunately, I believe this is a normal phase for children this age. They are learning cause and effect. Also, the twin factor adds to the issue since they will play off each other. It sounds like the way you are handling it now is the correct way. Tell them no with no extra emotion and don't give them back. In the situations where it is embarrassing for you, such as the play dates and restaurants, you don't have to give them their sippy cup in the first place if you don't want. They won't die of thirst in that time period.

Good luck. This too shall pass and too soon in some cases.

For both of our kids, we taught them to hand the cup to us rather than throwing it. We just repeatedly emphasized giving it to someone when they finished, and that (amazingly) seemed to work for them.

D.:

I don't know if you will find this encouraging, but your children are doing what children are supposed to do. They are experimenting! If I throw the cup, what will happen? Will it fall? How far can I throw it? Look, Mommy looks mad. Will she get mad if I throw it? How many times can I throw it before she gets tired of picking it up? Etc.

This is a sign that your children have the healthy curiosity necessary for growth. Children learn through these "experiments". Overly limiting a child's exploration hinders their intellectual development.

Perhaps your children have had enough time experimenting with their sippy cups though. Simply take away the cup whenever it is thrown. You can just say, "Oh, I see that you are all done." and put it away until the next meal, etc. They will soon learn that if they throw their cups, they lose them - at least for a while. Game over.

Good luck,
Jen

I have boy/girl twins who are now three. We went through this period briefly with cups then with food. I feel for you because you have the added issue of copy-cat behaviors and also reinforsement from other twin when one does something "funny". Best advise is consistant behavior from you so that this game is no longer fun for them. Cup hits floor, game over, you say we do not throw cups - all done, and then you take it away. praise for good behaviors - even simple ones at mealime. They are competing for your attention...particullarlly since you have a nborn at hm. I'm sure you are juggling. This will pass...hang in there.

Hi, my hubbie and I have always picked up the cup and not really said anything. That was for the first 19 months, after that we started saying, "no, we dont throw the cup on the floor" and we would pick it up. Now, my son is 22 months, if he throws the cup down, we make him pick up the cup and we say, "no, we don't throw the cup on the floor, can you pick up your cup" and he does. We just stay consistent and always repeat the same thing. He knows its wrong and he picks up the cup - we dont make a big deal about it we just make him pick it up.

Well, as a loving grandmother, I would say that if you have been trying for this long.....it is time to give a little swat with your hand on the their little diapered behinds with a firm....no!

Oh my gosh my 9 month old did the same thing.I have the perfect thing for you.i went to babies r us and bought a sippy cup/bottle tether.It will hook on to the high chair diaper bag or even their wrist.it keeps the cup from flying and once they figure it out they will probably quit.Good luck