going to sound dumb but....

Amanda - posted on 06/05/2009

The best thing to do is learn to deal with it because this behaviour isn't going anywhere fast! when they say terrible two's they are really being misleading because my son is three and a half and it's only getting worse! laugh it off! Your little boy is just experiencing power that's all, getting frustrated certainly isn't going to help the situation, if you got mad and yelled or hit him it really is only showing that it's ok for him to do that too when he is mad! Plus giving strong reactions only makes it all the more entertaining for him! Children generally have no control over anything in their lives, so imagine if you had no control over anything and then suddenly you realised you could make someone act in a certain way simply by saying the sky was green (get my drift?) keep talking things through with him and make sure when you do talk to him you kneel down to his eye level so you seem less intimidating and more interesting. If he keeps being naughty tell him you will send him to his room (or whatever punishment you choose) and make sure you always follow through with the punishment there is no point to empty threats.

Try not to stress to much.

Liseandra - posted on 06/03/2009

ha welcome to the terrible two's... thankfully my daughter(who turned two in feb) isn't bad *knock on wood* .... it seemed that it started pretty much to the day she turned 18 months, it was worse then... but now shes not bad.... she has the rare little outbursts but other than that shes mostly fine. maybe im just luckey.

Jennifer - posted on 06/03/2009

the one thing i have found that works in my house is a VERY set routine. i still have to catch him and do time-outs occasionally for things like hitting the dog or me... or climbing, but most of the time he's too busy figuring out what we do next

Jessica - posted on 06/03/2009

Oh believe me I let a lot of things slide, and definitely choose my battles. If my husband only new. It's things like running in the street, spitting juice from his sippy cup on the floor, hitting the dog, yelling no and I want, it's things that matter that I'm struggling with. And I always keep my explanations short, I've seen moms go on and on, and their kids glaze over, so I make a point of keeping it short but sweet. And don't get get me started with distractions, belive me I'm always trying this one out, but he's very stubbron and will not be distracted easily, and I'm stubborn to so the combo is not good. And taking toys away don't seem to work either since he doesn't reaaly seem to remeber why they were taken away in the first place, I think he's still too young to understand that. I just really need a way to get through to him, nothing seems to phase him, he can be so good sometimes and then be so naughty other times. To the point were I'm starting to get anxiety when it comes to taking him places especially out to eat, because that's another big thing, getting him to sit and eat, 2 months ago he was angel, but the last 3 weeks forget it.

Chelsea - posted on 06/03/2009

Keep your directions clear and simple and do not provide lengthy responses. Keep everything you say short and sweet. If he does do something that is not okay first try to redirect him and catch the behavior before it is too late. Pick your battles and if he fights you on something that is a must such as not standing on the couch etc. give him a logical consequence such as no couch for 5 minutes. Be consistent and pick your battles. Does it really matter if his shoes are on the wrong feet? No. Does it matter if he hits you? Yes.

Mindy - posted on 06/03/2009

I agree with Jill. I have a 2 year old son as well and he is doing the same only now he screams at the top of his lungs. I know htough it is to either get his way, see how far he can push me, or does it to some type of reaction. I have noticed the more i dont let it bother me or just ignore it the less he does it.

Jill - posted on 06/03/2009

The terrible 2's are just a myth. He is trying to see how far you will go. Choose your battles! If it's not that important ignore it. If it is something dangerous-- obviously you need to react. He will have an extinction burst and then give up. An extinction burst is the burst of a behavior before the behavior extinguishes. Good Luck!

Tanya - posted on 06/03/2009

I agree, distraction is the best thing in a situation like that! I still find (my son is now 6) that if i ban him from the PS3 or Cartoons in the morning one day, he will completely forget the next day. So we started using a chart system with stickers. now i kno a 2 yr old is too young but this has worked very well with my son as he now knows if he gets to 10 stickers he gets to go somewhere, it got to the point now that hes trying to earn those 10 stickers in one day, when we started it took 6weeks jus to get to one 10 sticker trip to somewhere fun!

Jocelyn - posted on 06/03/2009

sounds like my son as well! and i have tried everything!, man, i could beat the kid and it wouldn't make any difference! LOL.
all i can say, is try to keep thinking that it is just a phase, and it will only last for a little bit, and that a funeral costs about $10000.00 :P
but i did find that letting my son run around and do things that he really wants to do helped a lot, and i mean, if we're at the pool and he wants to splash, i know i cannot get him to stop because he won't listen to me, but i found that if i tell him "yes, you can splash, just not in that direction because there are other ppl there" he doesn't put up the fight, (or, you can throw rocks, but only little ones and not towards other ppl, you can have extra juice, but only if you drink it out of a real cup [he hates real cups lol] etc etc)
hope you find something that works!

Kate - posted on 06/03/2009

I have had the same problem with my two year old. And I have found that he would try and argue with me and I'd ask him not to do something and as soon as I finish talking it's like I haven't said a thing... All have changed now. When he is trying to argue that the sky is green, I simply don't go head on with him any more, I'll ask him about the birds flying in the sky, and then step in sideways and say what a pretty bird in the blue sky. Or ask what else can you see that is green. And when my boy isn't listening I have found distraction the key!!!

Andrea-Jayne [AJay Jimajay] - posted on 06/03/2009

it is a perfectly normal phase, believe me im going through it with my daughter. like Tanya said, be consistent and it does get very repetative. as long as its nothing he can seriously get hurt by, like running across the road without holding your hand [i know all too well as my daughter tries this all the time!] in which you will have to be very firm and tell him in even a harsh way. theres no point in time out, i dont think. unless he has been very naughty and not listned to you at all. but please, do be patient as it is a phase he will grow out of. he doesnt do things to hurt you or upset you and is too young to understand your feelings, at that age they are just concerned about doing things to please themselves, so dont spank him and he will grow up in a stable way and feel loved.

Erica - posted on 06/03/2009

hes 2. this is how it will be for ever! stick to your guns and be consistant dont give up keep telling him no or give him timeouts it will payoff in the long run when hes a teen you will have problems if you dont. take time out when ever possible for yourself do your nails exercise take a llong bath but always be confident and calm for you little one he will appreciate it too.

Sarah - posted on 06/03/2009

Sounds exactly like my son used to be! He is almost three and has only just started to grow up a bit more and actually listen to what his father and I tell him. You have to follow through with things. If he is doing something wrong and you ask him to stop and he keeps doing it explain what the consequence will be a follow through. If time outs do not work then try something like taking his favourite toy away for the day. It will egt easier as they get older! I hope this helps somewhat.

Tanya - posted on 06/03/2009

Welcome to the terrible two's stage .... All you can really do is be consistant & repeatative. tht was the only way my son would learn and hes ADHD.