Surviving the terrible two's?

[amyrouse]

Anyone have any advice?  I'm ready to pull out my hair.   

[Hbelton17]

I'm right there with you! I read all the websites...but nothing works. I try to distract him with things...but as for tantrums...  sometimes i just lock him in his room for a few minutes and he stops.

but it just gets worse...wait until they're teenagers lol

[amyrouse]

I don't even want to think about the teenage years!  Right now its just a contest of wills.  She has her moments where she listens to me, but if I'm not paying attention to her constantly, then its no dice.  She's going to pee on the floor, use her potty to climb over the baby gates, insist on getting her milk in a big girl cup but spilling it out on the floor and playing in it, and fighting bedtime...and that's just a small chunk of it.  Temper tantrums don't bother me...its the outright defiance I've been noticing, the doing something just because I've told her not to... again I say 

[keisha404]

Anyone have any advice?  I'm ready to pull out my hair.   

it gets better just let them play until they get tired and fall asleep on their own

[amyrouse]

Anyone have any advice?  I'm ready to pull out my hair.   

it gets better just let them play until they get tired and fall asleep on their own

Interestingly enough, she did just that about 15 minutes ago, LOL.

[jnjmolly]

I wish i was pulling my hair out lol...My husband and i have been trying for 2 years!
Good luck and try to enjoy every  moment even if its one of those pull your hair out moments lol

[MissCrys]

The two's were easy, then the three's came along....  Aiee yieee yieee holey insanity batman!    and that is on a good day

[amyrouse]

I wish i was pulling my hair out lol...My husband and i have been trying for 2 years!
Good luck and try to enjoy every  moment even if its one of those pull your hair out moments lol

It will happen for you, I'm sure of it!  My dr's told me that I had a 3% chance of having a baby, and now mine is driving me crazy!  But I adore her...she's the best thing I've ever done.

[hwilliams591]

LOL...It doesn't get better! And there is nothing on the internet thats going to help.
You just have to deal...thats what I have been doing!

[talmitalbot]

I got my son to quit throwing tantrums, especially in public, by getting on the ground and throwing one too. He was so embarrassed he never did it again.

[JennBryant]

First off dont be down hearted, all 2 year olds go thru this.  What I have found that works with my 2 year old is hands on.  If I am doing something she always wants to be a part of it, like with cook if I am making pot roast as I cut up my veggies she puts them in the pot, if I am in the yard working I let her help pick up sticks, if I am doing laundry she helps put them in the washer and dryer, if I am giving the dog a bath she helps dry him at the end.  Just those few simple things works with mine.  Hope this helps

[mommagoes]

Anyone have any advice?  I'm ready to pull out my hair.   

i right there with you girl! i know my husband would love me no matter what but i have absolutely no desire to be bald!

the part that drives me crazy is that i am trying to do the best thing possible for my kids by being at home with them, but the 24/7 with my daughter is what's driving me crazy. i had no problem handling the terrible 2s with my son (who is now 10) because i worked so i knew that for 40 hours a week i could get away. but with my daughter there is no escape!

the only thing has been working for me is a routine, so that there is no down time for her to start acting up. there won't be a tantrum for candy if she knows lunch is at noon, there won't be a meltdown for tv time if she knows caillou comes on at 2pm.

[Lusie]

I agree if you set up a routine such as watching TV same time every day. Taking a bath same time every day. Having activity and learning time that is fun. Doing mommy jobs where she can help even just a little helps out a lot. She is at home with you all the time and will want to mimic what you do. With in reason you can let her. Naps? What are those? lol make it a pattern to get her up when you get up of a morning. If she has not taken a nap on her own by 2 keep her up till you are ready for bed yourself. Some kids it is easier to take a nap when they are in the bed with mommy or daddy taking a nap also. As odd as it may sound It shows them that you are never too big for a nap.Get her her own little broom and mop she can use to help you out. It may seem like you have to do a bit more at the start but in the end it will be worth it cause you are letting her learn now when she is willing than waiting for later and having to force her to learn when she does not want to.

One thing I found that worked for my nieces and nephews was a point system. Put a board up some where in the house. Have a side that says good behavior and one sayd Bad Behavior. Use construction paper to make smilies and frownies. The kids can help with this part you cut the circles and let them decorate them. Every tiame they are do a good thing like using the bathroom properly they get a smilie on the good side. When they do bad behaviors you put a frownie up on bad side. You then choose a prize every morning say a soda or candy bar or tv time you would put up on the board. Two hours before bed you have them help count the smilies and the frownies and if they have more smilies you treat them if more frownies you explain that  they only get a treat when they have more smilies.

When I took the kids to the store we would go to the section they wanted to go to first and they would get to choose an item that cost a dolllar or two that they wanted. As we were in the store and they had the item with them they behaved. If they mis behaved three tims the item got put back up. They learned real quick I meant business. As they get older you can change it to every few visits you go to the store they get a treat.

Some people say it is bribing them and in a way it is, but in the end they do learn that good behavior gets treated better than bad. It is a esson that will stick with them thru life.

[jmtalboo]

Anyone have any advice?  I'm ready to pull out my hair.   

I don't have kids, so I have no experienced advice to offer, but maybe this will help.

Surviving the Terrible Twos
A Parent's Guide

Jul 4, 2006 Teresa Simpson

There is no cure for the terrible twos but you can make it easier on yourself and your child.

If you have a child who is 18 months to three years old, you are probably very familiar with the "terrible twos." This is an important stage in your child's development and though unpleasant, cannot be avoided. Here are a few ways, however, to help you survive with your sanity intact.

Read more at Suite101: Surviving the Terrible Twos: A Parent's Guide http://www.suite101.com/content/surviving-the-terrible-twos-a3949#ixzz11D6yQYKc

[tammypete]

I can relate!  I have a 2 1/2 year old that thinks she is 20.........