Boys will be boys?

Question

I have a two year old son. I spend my days constantly cleaning up his disasters. For example, say I'm cooking. I will find him writing with marker on our hardwood floor. So, I will be cleaning the floor on hands and knees. I will come in the kitchen to find that he's poured a half gallon of milk on the floor "for the doggy." I will be cleaning that, and he will be shoving a grilled cheese sandwich in the dvd player. Is this normal behavior for a boy? He's my 3rd child, but the other two are girls. It starts from the moment he wakes up to the moment he falls asleep.

Answer 1

Neither of my sons did these things.

One did tell me to leave the room because he wanted to do something I didn't allow him to do - he was around 2 then.

When I was cooking and they were little, I'd put them in the kitchen so they could bang on pots and pans or help me cook or something in between, depending on their skill level.

Answer 2

I think these behaviors are only normal for children who are feeling powerless or are not getting enough positive attention. He could be playing a “game” with you. He knows the consequence when he is naughty, came up with a theory, “If I do this, mom will do this,” and tested it out. He feels like he can make things happen. It feels very powerful to him.

Children often test limits to get some attention, be it positive or negative, it’s still attention. A good way to show positive attention is by saying things “You did that by yourself! You stacked all the blocks! You can run super fast! You used so many colors on your picture!” These phrases are great ways to show positive attention, and will help him to feel powerful in a positive way.

Use a logical consequence with him when he is being naughty. These are some other examples of logical consequences: If he purposely breaks a toy, he puts it in the trash. If he spills his milk, he wipes it up. If he draws on the floor, he cleans it. If he puts food in the DVD player, he can’t watch videos anymore. Children respond well when the consequence for misbehavior is logical.

Try having him help you when you are cooking or doing chores. He can wash potatoes, put napkins on the table, get you something you need to cook. Something that will keep him entertained for a long period is a spray bottle, scrub brush, and towel to “clean the windows or tables.” He will feel proud to help you.

Set limits, follow through, and offer choices, not chances. Pick you battles! You can say “Do you want to do that by yourself or do you want some help?” "No" should mean "No" the first time you say it. Say "Yes" as much as possible. Be patient and consistent. Hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 3

Yup thats normal but ya know what my mother would do if he was drawling on the floor make him clean it up it will teach him and have him help you pick up the food for the dog and teach him how much to put in the bowl if he wants to feed the dog and as for shoving cheese sandwiches in the dvd player a smack on the hand or but will teach him not to do that ( but not that hard of a smack )

Answer 4

It's only normal if you let it be. You need to set clear rules... a two year old is cabable of understanding but needs a lot of supervision and redirection to stay out of trouble. You probably need to give him specific activities (build with the blocks) to do while you can't watch him directly or just make him play in whatever room you are in. Make sure that anything he can get to is put out of reach (markers, scissors...) and if you absolutely can't watch him then put him in his room (which shouldn't have anything dangerous in it anyway) and check on him every 3 minutes or so. I know it's a lot of work but if you are serious about it stopping it's got to be done or it'll just get worse. Good luck!!

Answer 5

I don't know if the right word is normal. Yes boys can be destructive and yes children do do this. How long it lasts is up to you. You need to find something that can discipline him and stop the behavior. Perhaps you can make him help you clean up which will keep him in your eye sight. It may get worse before it gets better, but stick to your wits and you will get through it.

Answer 6

Its normal. But to help things along, limit access to markers, or even get a fridge lock.Even, put the dvd player up out of his reach. Plus give him common items to explore, like a flashlight, that arent necessarily toys. He's just curious to play with what he sees adults use.

Answer 7

LOL Unfortunately, kids are naturally curious about everything! This is their own little way of learning, and it is our jobs as parents to teach and guide them what is "wrong" and what is "good", by rewarding them when do they do the right things, and taking things away (such as markers and pens) when they are getting into the wrong things. Don't worry, this is a very natural part of growing up. -Janet

Answer 8

Right there with ya sister!!!

My angel pulls out all the tupperware, while i'm cleaning that, he knocks over the toy box, while i'm cleaning that he empties my stationary boxes....

just a stage and it will pass

Answer 9

Oh sweetie, that is just as normal as it gets! Boys are into everything.. they touch everything!!! Nothing is sacred!

Just keep reminding him that NOT EVERYTHING HE SEES IS HIS! Mine is 3, and every day I repeat these words 500 times (and I work full time!)

Congrats on having a perfectly normal little boy!

Answer 10

My daughter does this. I think it's more about being independent, and able to entertain themselves, than a boy or girl thing. It's very frustrating though!