can the terrible twos start before they turn two?

Ashley - posted on 09/27/2009

my son is where he want to hit u and kick and he bites also and i have tried everything to break him and it dont work im scared to even put him in daycare cause im sure he will get sent home

Michelle - posted on 09/27/2009

My son's been working on those terrible two's since he was 18 months. Some days suck and some don't. I hate the tantrums (especially in the middle of stores) but I just ignore them as much as I can. We've been working on time outs some too.

Danielle - posted on 09/26/2009

Honestly??? Ignore them. She is only throwing the fit to get your attention. If the fit doesn't gain your attention and you pay attention to her when she stops she will realize that throwing a fit is not an effective way to communicate. When Riley starts her fits I just say ok have fun and walk into another room. If we are at a store I say ok Riley mommy is going bye bye then and she stops right away to follow me. Once she realizes that her fit isn't going to get her what she wants she stops and moves on to something more interesting.

Paula - posted on 09/26/2009

My daughter will be 2 in Oct and she to has already began the terrible 2s, im also unsure how to deal with it and it can become rather frustrating when your child throws themseleves on the floor and chucks a tantrom. My 6yr old son never went through the terrible 2s so im lost as to what to do to control her behaviour.



Well goodluck with it & all the best

Alison - posted on 09/26/2009

Fits are just part of life! It is a normal and HEALTHY way for your kiddo to express herself, she is testing boundaries to try and understand how her world works. All you can do is consistently stand by your boundaries and rules (trying to pick your battles though!) and show her that you are not going to change your mind as a result of a fit. It really helps me to verbally empathize with my son - if he wants something and I tell him no and get a fit, then I say "No, I'm sorry but you can't have that right now" and then try to redirect with something else - going outside, getting a different toy, drink time, etc. This seems to work a lot better than just yelling no or trying to intervene in the fit. Being firm and calm, explaining that your aren't going to change your mind, and then redirecting to a different activity seems to be my recipe for success. Of course sometimes he doesn't respond immediately to any of this, and sometimes I'm to stressed to follow through, but most of the time it works well and in just a few momments the fit is past.

Jessica - posted on 09/25/2009

YES and it sux, my oldest started at like 18 months and then stopped right around her second birthday, and my middle will be 2 Oct. 8th has already started, dont worry with time you wont want to kill her all the time... no not really at all but she will test your limits

Katie - posted on 09/25/2009

YES!! All of mine started around 20-21 months!