My experience with 4 boys is this: This is the age where it is really important to set limits with your son. They sometimes act up because maybe they are actually needing more structure in their life. Routine is the key and stick to it. The last and most important one is No means NO! Stand your ground that means before you react make sure you are willing to back yourself up 100%
Righto. Pick your fights. There are times when yogurt all over the house is not something worthy of fighting with, if you can actually see the frustration behind it.
I'm thinking. I'm sure there must be a time when it's not worth picking a fight over flinging slop around. Maybe if the kid is tired, or sick. Or you've just gotten him back from visiting someone and you're on the path to re-establishing your own routine...though in that case I think I'd (calmly...at least that's the goal) say, "You know, that's not acceptable, maybe you s hould have a time out."
Or make them clean it up. the thing is, at 2, they enjoy doing grown-up things like cleaning (and I'm not talking Mommie Dearest, I mean giving him a rag and having him do his best, then of course, you do the rest and clean up the huge mess he's made with the rag). But it also instills in them the understanding that actions have consequences, and if you make a mess, you clean it up. It won't mean much now, but later down the line, you'll be SO GLAD.
My kids are terrible about it. Because I'm terrible about it. But as Alice in Wonderland says...
"I give very good advice, but I very seldom take it."
