moms- how do you stop yourself from getting easily frustrated at your kids?

Question

my 2 year old is into everything. i know-typical 2 year old. i know he is just testing me, but some days i can't control myself and have yelled at him, and then feel terrible afterward. i would like advice on how you handle when your child dumps water all over the bathroom floor, takes his diaper off and pees on the carpet, dumps all his dinner on the floor, etc. He is disciplined and gets time out. i also try and talk to him when he does these things to tell him they are wrong. i just sometimes think he knows better, but some days he gets the best of me. i hate yelling, but sometimes it just happens....any advice?????

Answer 1

When I read this, about the things that he did. It made me smile. I know that it makes a lot of work for you. Get out the camera and get it on film. He will grow up so fast and when you look back you will smile. Just remember that this is all new to him. Enjoy him. He may be doing it because you will yell. I don't know, but in a couple of years you can think about it and you will smile. If not wait until he has kids of his own, he'll get paid back.

Answer 2

Well the best thing to do is to notice yourself getting upset....and taking a deep breath and breathe out slowly.

The thing about yelling at your kids is that if you do it too often, they get used to it and will not respond. I literally have had to hold my breath for a second and tell myself that yelling is not going to help. They understand better if you talk sternly and they will be able to clearly hear you more. The more you practice that, the less you will do it because you will eventually create a habit of avoiding the urge to yell.

And remember...they don't call it the terrible twos for nothing!!!

Try to get out some during the day and take your child for a stroll up and down the street or something to get some of your frustration out. It can build and make you frustrated much quicker than if you hadn't blown off some of that steam at the end of the day.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 3

Just wanted to sympathize with you and tell you that I do the exact same thing, yell/get loud, and then regret it. I try (when I have the strength and discpline) to try and be calm but some days, especially when I'm tired and he just won't stop, it is not easy. I also do time outs, etc... I don't let him get away with things but, as you say, he is a typical 2 year old. I think for me, it helps getting out (outside to play) and really helps when I see other mom friends for playdates. Also, talking to other friends who go through it also just makes everything seem much better. Best of luck. And, just take a deep breath and count to 10. Sometimes for me, just being silent (trying as hard as I can) helps. Take care.

Answer 4

yes i know that feeling i get that way to but not now thow.
when you feel frustrated just go to your room or some were were you can stamp on the ground and yell into the pillow or take 10 or 20 beathes and when you do that start all over again.
now with your daughter
well this is going to be tricky
now invite her to you and then ask her if she would like to play games ,
the games is how to leave your nappies on and grab so toys and get some toy nappies and ask her can you show me how do you put nappies on toys , but you both need to do it together , get a pottie and ask her doyou need to go to toilet , do it in a pottie but get a toy and show her , Basically make it funny and fun for her , It will take a while but when she takes her nappie of and she is thinking of weeing on the carpet or anywere esle just say to her were is your pottie and lets go and wee in the pottie.

you can do it

Just make it fun and teach her how to do these things and also the best thing to is make a chart for her but you might need to explain to her in a fun way and ask her would she like to colour it in and put stickers on it to , but you need to write the things down that you want to attive in , with the things that she is doing wrong and keep explaining the things that you were doing already with her.


make it FUN , EXCITING , REWARDING , FUNNY , CHALLANGEING to

promise you i did that and it is so cool and it works but it takes time.

good luck

Answer 5

Often frustration comes for children AND for parents when we are not giving the attention the child needs but rather, are very busy with other things. The child gets cross, then WE get cross...

Sit with them, play on the floor, read, color a page, any one of these things...THEN get your housework done. They don't need quantity; they need quality. The higher the quality, the less frustrated anyone is with anyone else.

Answer 6

get you rhusband to take over some days dont worry im sure u are a good mum you sound like a good mum what your kids doing is normal thats what terrible twos do just walk out have yourself a drink and deep breaths

Answer 7

Just try to make the child laugh more and make listening a fun game. That sometimes works. Make it fun to behave and give rewards.

Re-post this at http://www.a-mommys-world.com/forums

tons of moms of toddler sand older kids there

Answer 8

Remember that he is a kid and just exploring. Just a bit of advice from my grandma- Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't give alot of idle threats. Also, be careful of your reactions because maybe he likes seeing you all rattled so he does things to see mommy turn red.

Answer 9

When my kids were that age and they had just pushed me to my breaking point I would simply put them in their room to play or had my husband stay with them while I took a time out. It sounds to me you are doing the right thing but doing time outs and talking to him but you need to give yourself a little time out so you can catch your breath and gather your sanity back.

Answer 10

Watch worse kids on Supernanny. Then think ,if this is the worst thing that happens to us today, is it so bad.