Is this normal behavior for a 17 month old? Please read.?

Question

Mature answers from parents only please. Let me give you some background first. My son is almost 17 months old. He's always been a good child, very pleasant to be around. He's always listened when you tell him to do something, never threw hissy fits in the grocery store or anything like that. I am a stay at home mom, so he is never in daycare. For about a week and a half he's been acting out. i.e. - Ignoring me, throwing things, throwing fits when he doesn't get his way (lifting his arms up when I try to pick him up so it's very hard to keep ahold of him), and-the worst thing- biting (he only bites me, not daddy or any other children). I am about at my wits end. Is this normal behavior for his age? I know kids go through transitional periods so is that what this is? Have any of you other parents had this problem near this age and what did you do about it?

Oh yes I am part of a stay at home mommy group so he has been getting interacion with other kids- but the oter children do not act this way so I have no idea where this is coming from!

Answer 1

When my 20 month old daughter throws a fit, I put her in timeout for 2 minutes. Doesn't sound like long, but to a child that young it's a lifetime. Her time starts when she stops fighting the fact that she's in timeout and I tell her why she's there, and then don't talk to her for that time. When it's over, we hug and I explain to her again what she did wrong and mommy loves her. She use to get punished more often at 17 months but she now realizes what will happen when she does certain things. Of course I give a warning first, like "if you dont stop doing. . . you will go in timeout, it is wrong because. . ." I tried ignoring her with fits at first but they just got worse.

Answer 2

He may be hitting the terrible two's a little early. Make sure you discourage this type of behavior (you will have to find what works on him - time-outs, taking toys away, a tap on the bottom, maybe even a bite back to stop the biting).

The other thing you may consider is some type of interaction with other children - check out your local library or YMCA.

If the change was overnight, you may just want to give the doctor's office a call. It was probably more gradual than you realize - happened to me too - my son was great, then, all of a sudden he was the devil. Then, when I thought back on it, there were little things leading up to that meltdown in behavior that I didn't pay much attention to.

Answer 3

Well yes he is going thru the terrible 2 stage he will do all sorts of things to attract your attention. Sometimes its best to just ignore thm. For example if he bites you you just dont talk to him ignore him for a good hour or 2 and he will realise that you wont talk to him if he bites you again then he wont bite.

I have a 4 year old and he used to do exactly that bite me hoping I will reach out for him.

Mind you I did feel really bad about ignoring him but it worked. I work from home and Now he goes around unplugging my phones. There is always some sort of adventure going on in our household.

Try ignoring him see how it goes.

Answer 4

Well I am not an expert parent, yet father so I can tell from my experience that its phase in the growth of a child. He is just growing up, and leaning new things. Probably its time to slowly teach him and try to control his behaviour by checking when & why does he do that?

I am sure within weeks he will be fine, but you may have to play a little clever not to let him build these habits as long term ones. Probably ask his father to help you a bit with it too.

Answer 5

The peak of the terrible twos starts at 18 months, so you are in the thick of it now.

You have to stand strong with him and make sure that he knows that you are still in charge. The biting mom is unacceptable, and maybe Daddy needs to step in to tell him that we don't hurt mom. My son is 19 months old, and that is a major no-no in our house. No matter what, you don't hit, slap or bite mommy. I think it is going to go a long way later on when it comes to his relationship with women.

Answer 6

Totally normal! My 18 month old does the same thing. She tests her limits and I gently, but firmly, let her know what they are. Get the book "Your One Year Old" by Louise Bates Ames, PhD. I have the whole series up to age 6 (my oldest is 6) and they have been more than helpful and dead on when it comes to what my kids are doing. There is a great explaination of the "equilibrium-disequilibrium cycle" that will really help you to remember that "this too shall pass".

I hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy your son. He is becoming his own little man!

Answer 7

I think it's normal! And, a rule i'm learning about kids (mine is 2 1/2) is that they save their very worst behavior for mom! I like to think it's because he is confldent that you will love him no matter what and won't dump him on the side of the road like dad/siblings might! :) My daugther went through a pushing thing and i learned that it was attention she craved. So, instead of punshing her profusing and showering her with negative attention, i would say a quick "no, no" and move on. Eventually she stopped because I wasn't getting as worked up about it. It's a classic "button pushing" sitation.

Good luck!!!

Answer 8

Early terrible two's. It does get better. I put my child in a day care center two days a week for social interaction. I believe a good motherly type of seasoned lady told me it was "Mommy Abuse". I also had to set boundaries. He may be getting two year molars also. Best wishes, but yes it does get better, terrific three's will come soon.

Answer 9

He's exercising his independence and pushing his and your limits. Like many of the other posters said, "Welcome to the terrible twos."
The good news is that as he gets older he will also be able to express his needs and emotions to you. Twos can be so sweet and yet so awful almost in the same minute! Don't worry, mom, we've all been there. My sweet natured little girl turned into a terror almost overnight at 18 months old.

Answer 10

He
is be aggressive he hit stride of the terrible two's early,, he needs to be reel in and controlled.. timeouts,stay in room without TV interference maybe early nap time? don't let him bite! get a boxer mouth piece for him to wear when this occurs tell him to wear it till he stops!.. don't spank him he doesn't know why yet. use a little psychology on him at first if it doesn't work take things away(toys,privileges etc.) keep him on short leash so speak...