Terrible twos?

[Sycamore76]

My lo is coming up to 23 months and I am
Finding it such hard work! I have been avoiding play dates / play groups as he has started pushing other kids and won't share anything ! I know this is normal toddler behaviour but I am feeling quite down about spending thd days without any adult company. We go to the park and toddlet gyms, that's about it. Meal times are a battle and he has stopped having a daytime nap so its very tiring. Aside from all this he is a lovely sweet affectionate boy but I am sure I should be enjoying this more , any tips ?

[cravingcake]

My DS is 22 months and has hit the tantrum stage. I'm also 20 weeks pregnant so i'm starting to run out of energy some days to deal with it as effectively as i'd like.

My only advice would be to actually go to the toddler groups and tackle the tantrums head on. Toddlers dont always understand how to share so keep it simple and say to DS you have this toy, other child has that toy at the moment. Physically move your DS away to a different activity/area and encourage him to play happily there. Things will improve, some days will be bad days, others good ones.

Speak to the other parents, depending how well you know them you may feel comfortable asking them to say something to your DS if they see hitting or unacceptable behaviour. My group of good mum friends all do this with each others kids and it works well, we all step in if required. They do need to go through this phase and i figure the sooner its dealt with the less of an issue it will be.

Good luck, i know its not easy and requires the paitience of a saint.

[Sycamore76]

Thank you for your reply , which I have found extremely helpful. sounds like you are doing very well given you are pregnant ! I am not pregnant but still exhausted by the end of the day. Toddlers are adorable but they are cim

[Sycamore76]

Sorry posted in error ! Meant to say they are adorable but very complicated ! Thanks again for the advice

[LeBFG]

I think it's toddler tantrum week on this board! You aren't alone.

I go to a toddler group and it's full of professional 'nannies'. I was so embarrassed by my toddler's behaviour (compared with their 'please-thankyou' charges) until one nanny wispered 'we've had worse here you know'. Made me feel much better. If you think you're the odd one out, it isn't true. Even if everyone looks, it's not criticism, it's just out of interest.

I also have a lovely friend whose first born was a rager. She said 'I used to say what was the point of going to all the groups when he would just hit the others and we would go home early?'. Now he's 22, impeccable manners, just a really nice young man. So, I suppose it was worth it in the long run. Ha! Hope that helps!

[stopgap]

There's always something! My DS is 2.2 (and I'm also 20 weeks pregnant) and while we have zero problems with pushing or sharing (unprompted, he is always offering other kids and babies toys to play with) he is incredibly clingy, and play dates are often spent with him hanging off my leg, saying, "Mummy, cuddle, sit, knee, carry me, Mummy. Pleeeeease."

[capecath]

I found around two a very tricky age. ds1 now three and things improved with communication skills. Don't stop going to the groups, he needs to be encouraged to learn. Hard work, yes! You may have to stick with him more at groups. But do persevere. Repetition and consistency. Agree with previous poster in keeping it simple. If he pushes, remove him from pushed and make sure he knows "we don't push people". Stopping nap probably means he is more tired too which doesn't help... Hang in there! X

[Sycamore76]

Thanks for all the help. We went to a playgroup the other day and he got hit for no reason by another child , I guess they learn these behaviours off each other ! When he was a baby i really enjoyed taking him to baby play and classes ad it was so much easier! I will stick with it, fingers crossed!

[Sycamore76]

Thanks zoo geek. It is very hard. I find myself avoiding meeting up with Nct friends and their kids as I am so embarrassed by saying sorry all the time ! I too find that tiredness and teething is a huge trigger for bad behaviour. I have also noticed that if a kid hits him gd will repeat the behaviour the following day. I also avoid small play groups as there are never em

[Sycamore76]

Enough toys and it becomes hard work!