I have 2 sons, 4 & 2. My 4yo is good kid & was an easy baby, slept all night, never cried, etc. Then came baby #2. He never slept longer than 2-3 hrs & when he woke up he would scream at the top of his lungs (every single night for 18 months straight). He was so loud my neighbor commented on it, so I developed a bad habit of rushing in to soothe him back to sleep. Now at 2yo, he has terrible tantrums - he hurts himself, his brother, other kids at daycare. I tried ignoring him, but he wouldn't stop. He can yell for hours! I thought b/c he's speech delayed that maybe he was frustrated. I thought maybe he was partially deaf, but the hearing test was fine. It's starting to affect my relationship with my husband - our sanity is slipping and our patience is completely gone. I can really use some advice from other parents that have gone through this before. What did you do that worked for your family? Thanks!
2007-01-30 14:31:02 · 9 answers · asked by Mingo Nightingale 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Sounds like you've got your hands full! I've got three children, 2 boys, 5 & 3, and a girl, 1. We go through our ups and downs, and our temper tantrums, mixed in with the hurting other kids as well as myself. Not a very fun stage to go through...
Here are the things that I've done, and am still using...
1.) Time outs for their age... my five year old has five minutes. They are given a warning, adn then a count down to apologize, or stop what they have done... and then they get put on the time out chair (or to their rooms... depends on the situation.. I know Supernanny would dispise this, but I can't stand her anyways!) When their time is out, I go back and talk to them... Why did you go on Time out? Was that a good thing for you to do? If it happens again, what are some better ways you can do it? I need you to go apologize to so and so for doing that.
2.) Good behaviour charts-- stickers placed on a chart when they follow certain rules ( getting dressed for school/day care, sharing toys, being nice, etc.) When a certain amount of stickers are received, they get a treat, or a dollar, whatever suits you best.
3.) Talk to them about their feelings. Show them pictures of kids that are happy, sad, angry, scared etc, and talk about these feelings. Why do they think the person is happy or sad? When are you happy, when are you sad? This helps them to identify their feelings, instead of acting on them... which is something they all do at their ages ( and so do us adults too sometimes!)
4.) Remain calm. The worst thing you can do is get just as angry as your child...this shows them that anger is okay....
5.) Don't suck up your kids when they have a temper tantrum...let them get it out.... or put them in front of a mirror so they can see how silly they look...
6.) Most importantly... this doesn't last forever. They will grow out of it!! don't give up yet!!
2007-01-30 14:45:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Time to start the time outs. I have a 2 1/2 yr old and let me tell you they will try you to the fullest. I answered the same to similar questions asked here.
Be consistent in the time outs. Don't cave in. After the time out, they have cooled down & so u have to explain the reason they were put on time out. Take away some toys & privileges depending on the situation and by doing that explain again why you did that and what is expected of them to earn the privileges back. You got to be consistent & yes it takes time out of your schedule but in the long run they will respect you. The most loving thing a parent can do is discipline & be consistent. Tell them also it's bc you love them & that is why they are being disciplined or put on time out.
2007-01-30 20:37:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lay down the law. You are the parent. Punish him when he is bad. When he yells and screams, ignore him. If he hits or bites, he goes to a corner. I'll bet the urge is there to beat his butt til it's blistered, but it wont work. Tell him goodnight at bed time, and that's it. If he screams, just cover your ears. You may feel like you're being a awful parent, but in a few days you begin to see a turnaround. Stick it out. It might cost you a couple weeks of sanity, but it could help you all for life.
2007-01-30 15:26:37 · answer #3 · answered by rob_hallock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speech delay is a frustrating thing.. my daughter went thru the same things, but she is alive and almost 4 and talking up a storm.... Once he is able to "say" what is on his mind he (and youand the general public) will feel much better... also, try some baby sign language, I didn't find out about that until my daughter was on the cusp of running her mouth, but I have a friend that swears by it. Also, anticipating his reactions will help you mentally prepare yourself..... I feel your pain and good luck to you.
2007-01-30 15:22:46 · answer #4 · answered by Just me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he is still overtired and yet to get on a routine. Keep ignoring his bad behavior - at this age he knows what he is doing and he knows he is making you nuts, that's the whole point. If you do discipline and you should be, stick to it. It will take a while but he will learn...good luck
2007-01-30 14:41:22 · answer #5 · answered by luvmycrafties 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Spank on the butt worked for me over 30 yrs ago. But my 2 kids did not cry every single night.
2007-01-30 14:41:00 · answer #6 · answered by idaho_native57 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe you should take him to the doctor and see if anything is wrong with him. the treble two's was the worst for me but my sons didn't do that because when i said stop they st oped they knew who the boss was. but if i was you i would have him checked out if nothing is wrong with him show him who the boss is.
2007-01-30 14:48:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they're driving you nuts, why'd you have them?
2007-01-30 17:31:04 · answer #8 · answered by daryavaush 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
suppositories, lots of them. they better behave if they don't want another . maybe it was enemas ?
2007-01-30 14:42:59 · answer #9 · answered by martinmm 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋