Halal Parenting

Halal Parenting

Toddler Discipline: When One Parent Uses Scare Tactics

What to say when your spouse's scare tactic is working in the moment but leaving your toddler afraid, and how to talk to your spouse about it.

Gulnaz | Halal Parenting's avatar
Gulnaz | Halal Parenting
Jul 31, 2026
∙ Paid

This Week’s Scenario

Your toddler won’t stay in bed or won’t stop touching something they’ve been told to leave alone, and your spouse tells them, “The boogie monster is going to come get you if you don’t listen.” Your toddler freezes, eyes wide, terrified, and stops immediately. Now you’re watching your child shake, trying to comfort them when they’re too scared to even remember what they were doing wrong in the first place. The behavior that started all of it never actually gets addressed. All that’s left in the room is fear.


Listen to the podcast

Why Scaring a Toddler Never Teaches

Why Scaring a Toddler Never Teaches

Gulnaz | Halal Parenting
·
2:49 AM
Listen now

The Real Issue

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Halal Parenting to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2026 Halal Parenting · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture