Is it in anyway possible to have a nice day with a toddler?

My youngest is 2 and like this at the moment. I just try to breathe and smile through it and remember that it's all a phase.

I did get a bit embarrassed in Costa at the weekend though when I spotted a dad sat with his 2/3 year old daughter (who was quietly colouring) watching me judgmentally as I frogmarched my youngest two (3 & 2) across the shop to a different table whilst hissing at them to just sit down nicely and behave after they'd had a double meltdown about both wanting to sit in the same window chair.

It's tough. And to answer your question, I don't know. I think you just have to try to appreciate the small pockets of loveliness and grit your teeth through the rough bits!

terrible 2's. it's a phase - knackering them out by going for walks/playgroups/pool/playground worked for me

Sending some hugs. Having children can be hard sometimes.
It does get better but then you face different challenges.

I've had I think about a year of similar to what you describe. Its constant when DD3 is at home. Constant 'no' or stopping her from doing things she shouldn't. I've set the bar low with eating. As long as she eats, I've given up keeping her clean (in the summer we did dinner in just pants/nappy). I just have to reset my mind every night. Think about the wins for the day. e.g. yesterday's win was being able to half clean the kitchen before DD decided she'd had enough and wanted to go to be early.

We try to just find everything funny, and have low expectations. Some families to seem to manage 'big' days out, but at 2, it was easier to just try and keep expectations low and do something that everyone could get some enjoyment out of. If your DD is a big enough 2 to be toilet-trained, she's probably also big enough to have lots of fun carrying all of her toys downstairs one by one, so that's a job you don't need to do. Then our activities would be things like getting the bus 10 minutes down the road to the next village, going to a different playground, having a snack and then getting the bus home again. Or going to the library to choose some books.

Soon she'll be doing pretend play, which is tedious in its own way, but I had a great game of 'hibernating tortoises' with my 3yo recently. He would get in a box and hibernate, and I would occasionally walk past and say 'oh, I hope that tortoise is having a lovely cosy sleep because it's STILL WINTER'. That was a good half hour of relaxation for me.

I have 2 year old twins so know how hard it is ×2
You say she wet herself is she not in nappies?

I don't think it's normal in evolutionary terms to ever really be alone with toddlers. So it's not surprising we find it hard going in our weird modern lifestyles. Historically there would have been many other adults and older children around to help and entertain them!

I found a nice day was one where another adult (granny, aunt, friend) was present to entertain toddler so I could drink coffee and watch them play.

Can you try milk in a cup? You say “wet herself”. She’s trained already? That’s pretty good going. It’s great to discover the power of saying “no” and that’s what toys are for when you’re 2 😁

2 year old stage is very hard.

I do short, pleasant things with them. And lots of play groups and meeting with other mums and kids. Outside always seems easier than in. And I refuse to get out of bed before 7

They do sleep occasionally, I recall. Usually after they've behaved like utter dickheads for 5 hours straight and right before you put them in the car home so they can sleep it off and be wide awake again just as you arrive home to start all over again.

My sympathies OP. It does get better. Hang on in there.

Celebrate the small victories. When DS1 was 2, no way would he have consented to put a bib on.

It’s called the terrible twos for a reason 🙂
it will get better,