Parents, have you ever felt like your Angel toddler was replaced with a little Devil????

Question

OK, my son is now 20.5 months old. Honestly, he is one of the best, happiest, easy to care for, children on the planet. However, lately he has become a little devil! He whines, gets upset at the littlest of things, wants everything done on his schedule, has ZERO tolerance, etc.

Is this the start of the "terrible two's" I hear so much about? If so, what do each of you do to handle it? Some people say ignore it-believe me, that is hard to do! Any thoughts, suggestions, advice?

That Exorcist answer was funny :-)-but seriously now folks!!

Answer 1

If they didn't test you, they wouldn't be normal. They're testing their independence and testing your limits. Try different types of discipline to see what works best -- time outs, incentives (or disinsentives), or even just a firm "NO - that is not ok."

Good luck - it's totally normal.

Answer 2

It sounds to me like he's starting the terrible twos. When my child started with those same characteristics, I just ignored it and went about my business. If he threw himself down on the floor in a screaming fit then I just stepped over him. If he hit, bit or kicked me, he went to time out.

Your son is developing his own opinions and is expressing himself the only way he knows how to at this age. Don't fret, he'll outgrow it. Just don't make a big deal of his tantrums in front of him because then he'll see that he's succeeding in pushing your buttons. All children know how to push Momma's buttons. My child is 9 and still pushes daily, LOL

Answer 3

2 was fine - 3 was horror! Some of it is a phase to be ignored, some of it might be from seeing other children do it and I swear some is just to push your buttons. All I can say is structure, stand by your word (in punishments), and lay down the law. We worked a lot on actions and consequences. As he got older, he understood more. My thoughts are with you and good luck!

Answer 4

i'm the mum of two boys and that i'm getting that mindset lots, from mothers and fathers of girls. this is troublesome and somewhat annoying because i think the underlying message is both 'My daughter is more effective powerful than your son' or 'look what a sturdy determine i'm!' I come from a custom that values boys over females lots of the time, and that i imagine perchance those comments have a splash of that in them besides... i think that it really is interior the nature of boys to be somewhat rumbunctious each so often - more effective in touch in actual interest that different quieter video games. in spite of the undeniable fact that, there are females in my son's nursery college who're both 'aggressive' - now and again even more effective so! children have their very own natures and personalities - no opt to apologise for somewhat 'misbehavin' from time to time! :)

Answer 5

I think every mother on earth has had those feelings. I am the mom of three boys. Whoever started that terrible 2's crap obviously never raised kids.
If you think about it, starting at birth, the challenges don't get easier, they just change. As soon as you get through one, there is something else right behind it. Whether its trying to get them to sleep through the night, or weaning from bottle/breast, to the age you are at now, to the teen years.
Just hang in there, and know its not his personality and its not going to last forever.

Answer 6

It's time to start laying the ground work for what you will and will not tolerate, so try to start deciding. When my kids were that small, we decided that we wouldn't tolerate any direct disrespect (yelling or hitting us after watching some friends' kids beat on their parents), and if they start to burn out, they go to their rooms to play quietly. When our son was that young, I would put him in his room with the baby gate, so that he could at least see us. My daughter's head started spinning when she was 3 (tantrums) and we always put her in her room. Now both kids seem to take a little more comfort when they get sent there to calm down. Just try to stick to your guns and be consistent. And if you feel like you need quiet time (I frequently do), everyone spends quiet time in their rooms so I can get a break.

Answer 7

Yeah it's the terrible twos and I've been there done that and was able to ignore all of the behaviors from my daughter banging her head on the wall or the floor to her throwing herself so hard to the ground that she would actually bounce. To her biting herself until she bruised and almost drew blood to the finale' of holding her breath until she almost passed out. They don't do it for it to be easy to ignore. They do it for the attention and to get their way and once you give in they know how to push your bottons and they are in control. And if they gain control it will take you YEARS to regain control....it will be sometime after highschool graduation.

Answer 8

The terrible 2's is one of the worst times. He is growing out of being a baby but can't quite handle being a big kid even though he wants to be one. Just be patient and hang in there. (You'll need your energy for when he is 3. (Testing 3) ).

Answer 9

The D u should never call your child. Terrible 2' is what they say but it does go on. Just realize u r the parent and show some discipline, but remember to show the love!

Answer 10

Yes it is the terriable two's. Now is the time you teach him how to express his feelings without throwing a fit, and how to use his words to ask for things and how to behave properly and that he has to mind you and your husband! If you don't, you will have a total brat on your hands and he will be harder to straighten out later! That's what gets parents into trouble, they think their kid is so cute, when everyone else know it's a brat! You have to teach your children to listen to you no matter how cute you think they are. A child that acts like a brat is not cute!