Is there really a thing called the terrible two?

Question

My 16 month old son is a monster, he opens all cabinate in the house and pull everything out, just the other day, I found him siting on the door of dishwasher and it now leaks. He's not afraid to any consequences, not even spanking~ very stobborn and has a thick hid, is this behavior gonna get worse by the time he's 2, I very worried.( First time mom)

Answer 1

I put all of my plastic containers in a low cabinet, along with some cheap pans I had leftover from my college days, and that was my son's cabinet. It kept him busy while I whipped together lunch or dinner.

You gotta keep your son busy. Read to him, get out some washable markers, get some Legos, some blocks. some toy cars, play-doh, take him outside on the swing or in the snow (if there's any where you live). If you redirect that energy into positive exploration of his world, he will be so busy that he won't have time to get into trouble. Your local library may have programs for little guys. It's worth looking into. Sometimes the newspaper has some great activities listed where you can take your son. Get him out! You will also meet other mothers and fathers, and your children will practice socialization skills.

I got my kids out and rested during their naptime. If you put the TV on when there is a children's program on PBS, it will buy you about 30 minutes of rest time.

You haven't hit the terrible twos yet. His favorite word will be "NO!" He will discover the power of it and use it a lot!

Wait until he's a teenager! "Thick head" becomes "lapse of judgment"!

Answer 2

OH yeah..and sometimes it goes into the "Even Worse Threes", and the "F-You Fours".

They are learning independence, but you also have to teach boundaries and consequences.

I once spent 20 minutes, gently tapping my daughter's hand and telling her "no" when she was about 12 months old and decided to play with the stereo. After 20 minutes, she burst into tears and threw herself in my arms. She never touched the stereo again. A week later, I heard her in the living room saying "no no". She was standing in front of the stereo and reaching for it, and then pulling her hand back.

The best punishments were time out - where I kept putting her back in the chair until she sat there (1 minute per year of age, and use a timer), or she'd go in her room (not in the crib or bed) and stay there for the same amount of time. She hated both of those.

She's now 26, and I'm not sure she can touch a stereo, but she turned out okay.

Lots of luck!!

Answer 3

Wow, and i thought i was the only one who had a 16 month old turned monster!! Mine does the EXACT same things, and he doesn't respond at all to spankings either! He goes around slapping people and throwing back his head and laughing, and he throws things, pours things out...etc.
What we have been doing for the past 2 days and have found it EXTREMELY effective (very surprising too) is that I put my son in his room (NOT in the crib),and shut the door. depending on what he did and how many warnings he had before.. (1. verbal warning. 2. tap on the bottom 3. slap on the hand) i put him in for 1-3 minutes. he screams bloody murder and when he comes out, he is an angel (for a little while anyways.). My son hates to be alone, which is why i think he hates it so bad, but find something like this you know he doesn't particularly like, and use it as punishment.

Answer 4

Yes, the 'terrible twos' do exist. Really, it's only curiosity that the child exhibits and testing of bounderies. Some kids go through this stage while others don't...some get worse while others get better. Just wait for the 'trying threes'. :) The best thing to do is reenforce what you say. If you say no, stick with it. Try to stay calm (very difficult, Iknow) as much as possible and let it be known that certain things are a 'no-no-'. Good luck! :D

Answer 5

I prefer to call them the curious twos! Really, that is all he is doing! The world is so big and exciting to them and there is so much to learn! He is not trying to make you turn grey prematurely! You have to realise that most times he doesn't even know that he is being naughty, in fact he probably expects you to tell him he is a clever little boy! and then when you punish him, he wonders why you are angry at him! I know how trying they can be at that age ...i have five! But before you scald him try to remember that he is just trying to understand his world! I know you cant just let them do certain things,because how you handle things now will dictate if the twos are going to get worse, but how you handle it will affect his future behaviour and the lesson that he has learnt!
I apologise, i sound like one of those mothers who think they know everything!(help i am turning into my mother in law!!)Good Luck, and dream of the time in the future where he is not testing you every moment of the day!(does that really ever happen? Hubbys 37 and his mother is still pulling her hair out!)xxx

Answer 6

YEP! But, it's not only terrible two's, it continues on....depending on the child. Had one that didn't start until she was 4 or 5. =)
Just keep working with them, and help them to develop those boundaries.
Don't let the pushy parents tell you any different on punishing your child. Spankings are not bad, if used accordingly. "Spare the rod, spoil the child". We are supposed to discipline our kids, but there's also a fine line to abuse, which I am sure you are not doing.
Good luck and remember to take a time-out for yourself!! You will appreciate that! =)

Answer 7

He is in his second year so he is in the terrible 2's now. Age 3 was worse if you ask me. You need to toddler proof your house. Put latches on the cabinets so he cant open them and a baby gate in the kitchen doorway.

Answer 8

mine does the same thing.you see,he sees you at the dishwasher,the cabinets,the stove and thinks,'well hey this must be fun if they are doing it" you have to constantly redirect him.Perhaps give him a cabinet with a few pots and pans of his own and sternly/repeatedly say,this is YOUR cabinet and point to the dishwasher,this is MOMMY's,you'll have to do this over and over.Even if his verbal skills aren't ready he can understand you.Don't prasie him or punish him with food/sweets-that will just lead to obsesity & rotten teeth-praise him with gentle words,a smile,a hug and a kiss.he will soon realize that the positive attention is way better than the results of negative attention.

good luck =)

Answer 9

He is being curious, hes not trying to annoy you or be a monster!
Don't punish him or hit him for trying to find out about things.
This question makes me sad.

Answer 10

yea....but its just tat ur toddler wants to find new challengers