14 month old twin causing absolute sheer and utter chaos....

[minesapintofwine]

i haven't posted on here for ages but I know you can help! I have 14 months/nealry 15 months old twin boys. From the very beginning dt1 has been more dominant and foward/confident and quicker with developmental skills eg feeding himself walking early etc. Anyway he has had his little bouts of nonsense such as tantrums biting and hair pulling which seemed to have stopped and just generally being a busy and chopsy little thing! The last two days have been much much worse though! He has found all these things that he previously didnt bother about and tried to break them. He has learned how to climb on the sofa and pulled the phone down (now moved) and climbed on his toy box to try and get on top of the tv . He is snatching everything off his brother. The first hour of the day today he screamed and wouldnt eat his breakfast but he is teething and am sure that was the cause. Yesterday he only took a 45 minute nap which is usually 2 hours and when I put him down for a nap earlier I took a toy away from him (big mistake) and he bit me really really hard! He torments the life out of my dog too she is seperated by a stair gate but is obviously agitated when he goes near (he pulls her hair and pokes her in the eye if he gets close). His brother is much calmer and settled and very gentle with the dog but does copy they were both running and jumping onto the sofa! I just need tips as I have safety proofed my home as much as I can think of. I am going to crate train my dog so she has a place to go and feel safe and am seriously thinking of doing up a playroom already but its not ideal as my only spare room is upstairs though I would hear them etc...what else can I do? We go out every day (he would rather walk than go in the pushchair though). Also please please reassure me this is normal behaviour he just seems so wild! (maybe a bit more than usual) not sure how to discipline him with the biting either. Ive tried 'no' and just moving him to one side and distracting him....

Help! Arrrggggghhhh!

[LeChatRouge]

I sympathise. My twins are 19 now, but I remember this phase very well.

I think you have to break the day into chunks, so up, breakfast, dressed, quick bit of CBeebies whilst you stick a wash on or make beds etc. then I would go out! Every day. Playgroup, toddler group, twins group, soft play, swimming. Then home for lunch/nap time and then bung them into the pram and go to the park. Be firm, he can walk - but only at the park. Then home for dinner, bath, bed.

I used to walk mine for miles and miles.

Can you make your living room into a sort of playroom? Move everything that is a danger and have a box of toys that you rotate the contents of?

Keep dog well away until he's old enough to understand.

It is a phase, it will change - honest!

[MissSusan]

It all sound like the very normal transition from gorgeous baby to demon toddler to me it's all down hill from here.

Yes to breaking the day up, both my 2 are feral children, they need to be let out in the garden for 30mins in the morning and evening to burn off some energy.

Do you get out much ?

[minesapintofwine]

Thanks both for the replies. I go out everyday and work part time (for the peace and quiet!) but its the destruction at home! I think its just been a bit harder these two days i.e the climbing thing is quite new so am having to rethink my babyproofing which was quite good before! I keep the dog seperated by a stair gate but she comes over to the gate sometimes which is when dt1 gets violent! Im going to crate train her. I walk miles too!! Im just having a moment I think too many new things have caught their attention the last two days!

[MissSusan]

I find the start of a new phase challenging, it takes a while to get in to the swing of things.
We baby proofed everything, tv on the wall, all electrical goods moved well out of reach. Didn't stop them climbing though.

[minesapintofwine]

missusan youve hit it right on the head there! Just when you think youve got it all going smoothly they learn how to do something else that keeps you chasing them all over the place!