How do I handle this with my 2 year old? I am despairing

I agree about as much as possible making it into the 'game' it's the only thing that worked at times with mine at that age

-Talking socks was pretty effective and funny (like socks on your hands as puppets) so the socks were talking to each other about what to put on where etc getting it wrong so he could correct them - sounds ridiculous but did work for abit.

My friend, Deputy Head for KS2 of the school where her son attended KS1, had an arrangement with her good friend and colleague, who had a son of the same age, that her DS could come in early to her classroom (Nursery) and potter around with his chum until other children began to arrive in the playground.
He picked up the vibe that time was of the essence and that not getting dressed was a superb annoyance tactic, until she did just that - folks were more laissez faire about seatbelts in the 70's - bundled him into the back seat of the car with his clothes.
She hadn't even realised how quickly and well he could dress himself. DH collected him at the end of the school day (he worked in newspapers, so he was not around for the morning rush, but ensured that DS was not hanging around at the end of the school day if Mummy's job kept her on the premises.)
A older child, so she only needed to do it once, but a 2-year-old will cotton on that you say what you mean and mean what you say.

My sister had this with my nephew (who is now a beautifully-behaved 8 year old). She used to dress him in tracksuit bottoms and a top instead of pyjamas so that she didn't have to have the 'getting dressed battle' every morning before nursery.

Edited: Ah, I see @cestlavielife beat me to it!

I am a Nursery Teacher. I have encouraged parents to bring their children in pyjamas before, with a change of clothes. There would be no judgement. I know exactly how young children can be, and I just want to help. If it helps the child and parent then it is absolutely worth it. Please speak to your child's nursery.

Put the TV on and dress him in front of his favourite cartoon.

This isn't a battle you have to win. It's a stress you need to remove from your morning routine.

Mine all went to nursery in PJs. Couldn’t be arsed with the stress before work.
It then went to fancy dress costumes everyday and I think it went on until they started school.
They won’t think you’re not coping, do what’s needed for your own sanity.

Just take him without being dressed. My friend once turned up to swimming class with her toddler in just a nappy because she refused to get dressed that day. It was freezing and and I was pretty taken aback but the child never refused again. Take him in whatever he refusing to get out of, he’ll soon learn.

Have you tried a visual reward chart - if he is good and gets dressed for 5 days on the trot, he gets a really special treat (and it has to be something really really good, not just a tube of smarties).
Could you put a song on and he has to get dressed by the end of it (or a crocodile will eat you - you pretend to be the crocodile haha)
Nursery should not be expected to dress your child regularly, but as a one off, you may just have to throw him in the car and take him.
Forget the playing, bribing and tv - this is a non negotiable.

Have you tried counting as he gets dressed? My grandchild is the same age and if i start counting and we try to "beat" yesterday's "score",it makes it into a game.I used to play it with her Dad,too!

Just take him to nursery in his pyjamas with a bag of clothes.
He won’t be the first! This is quite common.

This is what I was thinking.

You aren't alone either. I have twins and I would catch one and put on their socks while the other ran off, then I'd catch the second one and put on their socks and the first one ran off. This went on for every item of clothing, but they didn't take them off though which must be beyond frustrating.

It took 45 minutes to get them dressed on a good morning.

Try not to be too hard on yourself. We have all been there. This morning has gone now. All he will be thinking about is what's on telly next. He won't hold it against you. You've been given lots of new ideas to try. Tomorrow is another day x

Does he take his clothes off at nursery or in town or at friend's houses?

Just send him in in his pj's

They won't. They are professionals. Honestly seek ANY help you can.

Natural consequences? I put mine in her car seat with nothing on once. (We have a very private driveway). She quickly decided it was time to get dressed. It only took the once too.

I've seen other children arriving at the nursery in PJs, so that wouldn't be super unusual.

Put him to sleep in joggers and t shirt he wears to nursery next day. Change in evening . Reat daily
Take the heat out of it.
No one will know he slept in the day clothes. Soft joggers and t short stick a jumper on top.

Ask him what it is he doesn’t like.

he might be able to tell you that the labels are scratchy or his socks are too small etc.

make a visual sticker chart with a picture for each item of clothing. Socks, pants, tshirt etc and for every item he put on he can then put a sticker on the chart.

get a teddy bear or doll that you can dress and get him to help with that and take it in turn to put an item on the teddy and then him.

Try 'get dressed before the song ends' or 'bet you can't beat mummy to getting your air js on/getting dressed'.

Ultimately, you pay the nursery, and work pays you. Everyone knows two year olds are really hard ! Some more than others just the luck of the draw.

I'd get him dressed first thing. Lay out his clothes the night before and tell him once he's dressed you'll read a quick story or whatever he would want. Better to have a built in 5 minute delay than a battle.

Just be firm and carry on. He needs to get dressed. It's ok to be cross with them when they act like monkeys.