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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think 2 year olds are bloody awful

54 replies

Liverpoolgirl50 · 27/06/2024 14:01

Just that really. I’m being driven to the edge of insanity.

Just turned 2 year old DD can be lovely, truly. Lots of kisses and cuddles and when she’s sweet she’s a darling, but 90% of the time is whinging, crying, refusing to put on shoes, acting like I’ve murdered her when I brush her hair, running away from me, throwing god almighty strops. Nursery say she is ‘quite emotional’ and she does have BIG feelings.

How normal is this? I am trying my bloody hardest to be a calm but fair parent. I give her 5 minutes in calm down time when she goes off on one, I kneel down and try and speak to her to explain that we need to do suncream/shoes to get to the fun part. She’s just pushing me to my limits and sometimes I get so frustrated I have to walk away.

Ugh.

OP posts:
Coldia · 27/06/2024 14:25

Yes it's difficult. She has big emotions and because she doesn't understand cause and effect as a future concept the things she needs to do make no sense to her. Likewise any rules you have for her appear utterly arbitrary and capricious and are a source of frustration to her. She can climb on the climbing frame : why the fuck can't she climb up the kitchen cupboard?

Other people's emotions and motivations don't figure at all so she won't restrain herself because of them. Pretty much all she has any notion of is herself and what's immediately around her. However, she does live in a world surrounded by other people and full of things to do so there's potential immediate conflict at every turn.

It is exhausting because you're dealing with someone you love who is irrational and hell bent on what looks to you like unending sabotage but honestly don't take it personally because it's not. She has a different agenda from you is all, one that is completely in line with her own personal development. Sometimes that means you won't get stuff done that you want to do or it will go differently than you'd planned. That's ok, as long as the important things happen as they should.

Everleigh13 · 27/06/2024 14:09

It is normal in my experience. Sometimes I feel like I’ve climbed a mountain just trying to get us out of the house.

Original poster
Liverpoolgirl50 · 27/06/2024 14:07

Ah, thank you. As long as I’m not the only one drowning, haha. She was a really high needs baby and I thought at some point it would get slightly easier but now she’s just a hard work toddler and I genuinely don’t understand how people go on to have another.

OP posts:
Beginningless · 27/06/2024 14:04

Yep, small children are arseholes! They get a bit more reasonable by about 5/6. I’m joking (ish) before anyone gets all in a fankle. I’m sorry OP, it’s hard. Normal, but hard.