my two year old boy is unruley?

Question

i cant take him anywhere. he wants to run but we tell him no - he wont hold hands. he throws fits and then lays on the ground. the other night in the store i had to put him in the cart and strap him in because he kept taking off. he threw a fit and grabbed 2 handlefuls of my hair and pulled (he wouldnt let go ) it is very hard for us to take him any where. not to mention at home he get in to everything and wont leave anything alone included the dogs he sits on them. tries to touch there balls and what not. i try timeout but as soon as i walk away he gets up and runs -- we are at wits end -- why is he acting like this ?? he literally trashes the house eevery day . nothing seems to help with him. i dont know what to do -- i am afraid this is just the tip of the iceburg and he is going to get worse.. i love him more then anything i just wish i could get him to behave

Answer 1

At this age, redirection is your best strategy.

Shopping is not fun for kids. Can you leave him with your spouse, a friend, or babysitter while you shop?

Can you put a baby gate up and separate him from the dogs when he starts to harass them?

Answer 2

OK sounds a lot like my little one..who's a boy and is also 2. I have read "making the terrible tows terrific" by john Rosemond. Its very practical advice that my ped. recommended. it is an ask and answer format with many of the same questions you asked...

a few things i have noticed that help are!!

1. stay calm, if he senses you are frustrated and/or your losing patient (which is a completely normal feeling) than he will as well....think of it as fuel for their fire.

2. I do a 1-2-3 your out type system. If by 2 he does not change the behavior I calmly say... on 3 you will have to go to your room for 2 Min's (1 min for each year of age). Then i will take him up there kicking and all he he....close the door if need be or I put a baby gate on....your son will test you to see if you will do this, expect testing! After a few times in the room consistently...He'll start shaping up!

3. in the store I do strap my son in if need be and or I actually leave and put him in his car seat in the car for a time out..or find a quiet aisle w/ as little people as possible....then we return to the store and finish shopping...

the most important thing is NO REACTION, YELLING, PLEADING OR SCREAMING! its hard, i know!!

But in the end they need to know who is in charge!

Answer 3

I wish I could help but he honestly just sounds like a typical two year old. I find that timeouts don't do a thing for me b/c my son won't stay and I can't physically get him in a chair (for example high chair) since he's so strong and I don't want to physically hurt him. Perhaps trying to take away or say you will take away something he wants or likes and follow through if he doesn't listen? Or, tell him his favorite stuffed animal or toy (train or something) will go in time out and follow through? This may not work at all but maybe it might? Best of luck and you definitely are not alone! Oh, and the hair pulling, my son does that all the time. :(

Oh...and maybe taking him outside more to get his energy out may help? You may already be doing that but maybe he needs more of it?

Answer 4

He acts like this because he is 2! At home, keep things he shouldn't mess with (including the dogs!) where he can't get to them. Redirect him to more appropriate activities if he starts to do something he shouldn't be doing. Sit down on the floor and play with him to keep him occupied and out of trouble. Take him to the park and make sure he gets enough outside running around time.

When you take him shopping, take along some good snacks or fun toys for him to play with in the cart. Ask him to help you find some of the things on your list. Make a game of zooming up the aisles. Keep the trip as short and as fun as you can.

Answer 5

Temper tantrums are normal part of child development.
It is a form of the child expressing frustration and also gaining attention

Suggestions to help!!

1. Always stay calm and you take control.

If he sensed that you are frustrated he has achieved what he set out to do.


2. Time out in his room say... on 3 you will have to go to your room for 2 Min's (1 min for each year of age).
Then pick him up kicking and otherwise and close the door .
Your son will test you to see if you will do this, expect testing! After a few times in the room consistently. you should see results


The most important thing is NO REACTION, and Be calm!
This is hard !!

In the end they need to know who is in control and in charge!

Sometimes we just need to understand from their point of view as they cannot fully express themselves.
I did find useful info to understand and how to deal with something similar

Answer 6

You need to punish him -- immediately, consistently, and effectively. Any parent can maintain physical control over a two-year-old. If he won't hold hands willingly then you need to force him to hold hands. If he gets up from time-out then you need to either lock him up or tie him down.

Keep him physically separated from your dogs. No animal deserves to be abused by anyone for any reason. Period. If you allow it to continue the dogs will start defending themselves and being intolerant of children. (That is, if it isn't already happening.) Then you'll dump them at the pound for being "bad with kids".

And your dogs shouldn't have balls. Get them neutered.

Answer 7

This may sound crazy, but maybe you should take a set of fake handcuffs or something and tie him up and make him understand that what he is doing is wrong. (Dont hurt him though!) Also, try to see if you can get him to watch one of those shows like super nanny or something and show him how good behavior can be rewarded, or try to take tips from one of the shows. Im not a dad or anything, but hopefully this will help.

Answer 8

Consequences and rewards. Ask him if he would like to go do something fun and if he says yes then tell him he must behave at the grocery store first or where ever you have to go. When he starts acting up then bring up going to do something fun and that he can't go if he doesn't listen.

Answer 9

When he throws a tantrum.you take away things he likes to do.Only give them back when he is being nice.Don't be a friend be a parent.

Answer 10

Very simple answer Pick him up and beat his butt. If that does not work then take him to the doctor and see if they can treat him for ADHD. If that does not work then all I can say is stay on top of his bad behaior it will get worse if you don't get it stopped now.