My DD is 29 months and up until this week, I really thought we were starting to phase out of terrible twos. She still had some breakdowns, but she was easily redirected to something else and we were starting to have really pleasant weekends and evening together. But my god, this week all hell has broken loose again. She freaks out at a seconds notice, is not listening, is ignoring time outs, back talking.... you name it, we got it.
Even DH is starting to lose his patience and he is ususally so much better with her during tantrums. You know its bad when he gets frustrated.
I think the worst part is ignoring the time outs. They really worked for us for a while, not just as punishment for bad behavior, but also to end tantrums (you can sit here for some alone time, until you feel better). But now she just jumps up the second we turn away. I've tried returning her to her spot again and again (not showing any emotion, just saying "You are in time out for X"), but it becomes such a game to her. She is smiling and laughing before we even get her back into her spot.
DH asked last night if we were going to need to start spanking. Uggg, I don't want to go there because I know for me it would be hard to not spank out of frustration, which I know is key. Man, this part of it all just stinks!
The latest thing he did? Try to flush his baby brother's diaper down the toilet I asked him did he know that was naughty and he said "YES!" and smiled at me all proud.
I need to come back here and read through as I really need support.
DD is 31 months. I just don't like her. I am physically spent at the end of the day, being with her is not fun and I'm so over the whining and crying. When do the terrible 2s go away??
{knocking on wood}
I just have to come back and report that now at 34 months, DD seems to have emerged from the terrible twos. She has been so fun an pleasant the last couple of weeks. I am actually enjoying being with her. Don't get me wrong, we still have our moments, but generally speaking she seems to be much more positive.
Good luck to everyone else in the thick of it.
love 04.16.02 * marriage 10.02.04
baby carriages 05.09.06 & 07.09.08
Could terrible 2's start as early as 1? DD just turned 1 and she temper is increasingly worse if she doesn't have her way. We mostly ignore it and try to divert her attention elsewhere. It has becoming increasingly harder. Is this the start of terrible 2 or just something else?
Absolutely -- we have a 16mo and a 3 yo... our younger DS stomps his foot and grunts if he doesn't get what he wants -- started at about 13mo. We've also experienced shrieking and howls if his brother takes his toy...and, in recent days, DS2 has resorted to 'raspberries' if he doesn't get his way...
I have to keep from laughing. Cute at this stage... my 3 yo? Another story.
eta - we've also found diversion (or avoiding triggers altogether) are best remedies...
Last edited by brooke; 03-27-2009 at 10:03 AM.
Reason: add'l note
Yeah, starting it here too. DD is very mellow and has always been a roll-with-it kind of girl, but at almost 19m she is starting to get more whiny and stubborn. We have had very few full out tantrums, but she does do the really whiny limp flop if she doesn't want to do something. I just leave her on the floor and walk away when she does that. Kicking on the changing table is another big one since we have a corner table so I change her from the feet end, not the side. If she kicks me I just get the diaper under her, then hold her legs with my tummy, knees over the end of the table and put the diaper on like that. She hates it, but it gets the job done.
I've started doing very short time-outs for a specific thing (you know, pick you battles). The first one right now is for playing in the cat food/water. I got SO tired of having to put it on the counter when she was around that I decided it would be our trial run for time outs. It seems to be working fairly well since I generally only have to do it once or twice a day (whereas before she was constantly in the cat water and food the second she hit the kitchen). She obviously knows it's a no-no and usually does it when she's ticked off because I didn't do something else she wanted (no more juice, no sliding because it's raining or something like that).
Good judgement comes from experience, and most of that comes from bad judgement. -From a bumper sticker I saw once
With DD1 it definitely started at around 18 months and peaked at around 2.5 (since then we've also gone through other phases of "terribles" - she's 4 now!) - so I've got about 6 months to go with DD2 - unless she starts even earlier!
We're dealing with the terrible twos - DS is almost 27 months old. It started right around his birthday when he started screaming histerically (a new, high-pitched angry/scared/mad noise) every time we put him in his crib. We turned his crib into a toddler bed and the screaming stopped for a while. Now we're dealing with a toddler who won't stay in his bed at bedtime. We have to lay with him and make sure he stays in his bed and gently remind him to lay down, put his head on his pillow, close his eyes until he falls asleep - anywhere from 15-60+ minutes each night.
The other thing that is just awful is his hitting. When he doesn't get what he wants or is taken out of a place he wants to be in (like when it's time to go home from the park), he open hand hits us in the face and does that high-pitched scream at the same time.
DS also throws food, which has made it impossible for us to go out to restaurants. I was so embarassed the last time we went out that we've decided it's just not worth the effort anymore.
I can comiserate with you! My DD is 23 months and I am losing patience. She has had tantrums on and off starting at 18 months, and really they don't bother me anymore. If I ignore them they subside very quickly. The thing that is really bothering me lately is getting bit. When ever I make her do something she doesn't want or I don't pick her up fast enough when she asks I get bit. She knows she is doing it because today on the phone she told DH that she bit mommy. I have tried everything besides biting her back. I just want her to stop before my entire body is black and blue.
Reply With QuoteI asked him did he know that was naughty and he said "YES!" and smiled at me all proud.
Originally Posted by Bloomwood
