disciplining a three year old

Moms out there, have you really disciplined (I mean, in the real sense of the word!) your three-year-olds? Mine is a head-strung little girl who is very strong willed, especially when she says “No!” But as I learned from my mom, mothers/parents should take time – and energy at that – in curbing the wills of their youngsters while they are yet young and supple, rather than tolerate them, and they grow up unruly. Of course there are times when they are sleepy or hungry or maybe not feeling well, in which extra consideration is needed.

Sometimes it is a battle of wills, like when she would hit me, or would throw things or would do any other mischief. I scold her (sometimes hitting her back, when called for), and would tell her not to do it again, and to say “sorry”, to which she would shout a high-pitched “No!” Of course, in the end, she would come crying to me saying “I’m sorry, Mama” and would kiss me and hug me. Nice thing for these little ones, in a while, she would then resume her happy mood, singing and asking to watch “Wubbzy” or “Peppa the Pig” as if nothing happened.