Was this too mean?

Not too mean in my opinion. She will learn, eventually. Don't beat yourself up!

Breaking it maybe not. Throwing it away is a yes.

@Annie can I ask why? Even when she has a bunch of other crayons anyway. I wanted to do something that I know would impact her more. Breaking it prob would’ve made her laugh

I think breaking it is going too far. I definitely understand it tho, heat of the moment, having told her a hundred times, being overwhelmed, sometimes we lose control of ourselves in that way. If it were me I would've apologized afterwards and explained that I was having a hard time with my big feelings and then maybe had a chat about how to manage emotions or about why it's important to listen to you/not color on the walls. I don't think it's fair for her dad to throw that back in your face tho, we've all got our moments but I do think an apology/explanation is owed to her.

No I mean breaking it is probably a bad idea. Sorry I phrased my answer wrong given the question. I think throwing it away is fine. Breaking it just teaches her to break them.

@FairyMother 🦖🌸 i absolutely did talk to her after though and say sorry for making her cry. She was okay after. Thank you. I was very much at my breaking point in that time.

@Annie i didn’t think of that. That’s true.

Good on you! It sets a really good example to her and is also good for you to get to share that vulnerable/human side of yourself with her & give yourself some grace too (I have a hard time apologizing sometimes because I don't want to be seen as "weak" or "wrong", it's something I've been working hard at since my toddler is getting to the "terrible twos"!) We've all got our breaking points, hopefully her dad can understand that too 🫶🏻

Probably too far but I understand. My son gets one warning and then the crayons get taken away for a few days, and he has to clean it up.

Completely fine, they gotta learn!

I think the behavior wasn't appropriate. Yet, you are a human and you can loose your cool sometimes. Recognizing it was wrong after all may help fix it. I would have just take the crayons away and tell her she is not getting them back until she show she can use it properly. Don't beat yourself up but yes, not very appropriate

Sounds like you were just at your wits end about it. Probably not the best way to have dealt with it but also not the end of the world. I would’ve just taken them away. For my toddler, I make sure that if he’s going to color, I can watch. Otherwise the crayons are not accessible to him until he’s old enough to understand fully.

My daughter is similar at drawing on the walls- we've taken all crayons & pens away and only allow her to use the 'mess free' colouring. I got her the magic Crayola light up thing that she really enjoys doing and my floor doesn't get ruined! Also! 'the pink stuff' spray or clay cleaning product will help it come off the walls or toothpaste too! X

I wouldn’t have broken it and thrown it away. She’s 2. I don’t feel her Brian and development skills are at the level for you to be doing that and it was rather dramatic of you to do. Removing them and not allowing her to play with them would have been more appropriate. I also recommend washable crayons, as they are easier to clean should she get them and color again. You should apologize and not do that again. That was cruel

You could have taken away and hid it so she couldn’t find it. And don’t give it to her until she learn to use it responsibly. But breaking and throwing it away in front of her is definitely mean. She’s literally 2. How would you feel if someone else did that to her? How would that make you feel? Be honest with yourself, and there is your answer.

I don’t know where your comment went replying to me saying it wasn’t cruel, but Your child is 2 years old. Instead of being the adult and watching her with the crayons knowing she likes to draw on walls. You take them from her, break them in front of her and then throw them away. She is 2. Half her life she was still learning basic anatomy of her body. It’s cruel. Because you punished her in an unnecessary matter for what was your responsibility. If that was done to her by a teacher of daycare worker you would be up in arms ready to report and remove her. If it was a babysitter or family member you would be pissed. For her age, it was cruel.

She’s two years old, you definitely overreacted out of frustration, which is understandable but I definitely think it was too mean xx

I think that's a bit mean. She's only 2. She's still a baby really 🥺