...to want to pour a glass of wine and cry?

[Datingagain]

DS (2.5) has just tried to simultaneously bite me, hit me, scratch my eyes and face and scream hysterically that he hates me for the last half hour.

After a day in which we've had a lovely (?) day out to an animal park with a picnic, to try and get over a weekend in which he behaved disgracefully at every point. I am blaming myself for this, because it was the first weekend DS and I had spent with my new (ish) DP. We tried to make it as easy and non-strange for him as possible - and new DP was lovely to DS. DS, in return, was horrible to new DP. I get that, but it's not just isolated behaviour.

He generally doesn't listen, he screams and throws things regularly, doesn't sleep and frankly, right now, I don't like him very much at all.

He screamed at another child in the park that he was "disgusting" - the other child had done absolutely nothing wrong.

I am (obviously) a single Mum, and although DS's Dad is around and involved (for which I know I'm v lucky) I can't help feeling that I am failing massively. I also have conjunctivitis in both eyes at the moment, am totally knackered and have a v sore back.

I know it's the "terrible twos", but please someone tell me this doesn't last long - and help me cope!

Thankyou all!

Quick update - just crept in to see, and DS is sitting up in bed, "cleaning" his toys with a tissue. He has been up since 4am and only slept for 15 mins this afternoon. And been in bed since 7pm. I bloody give up.

Tomorrow the sides are going back on the cot though and controlled crying / reward charts etc will be coming into force.

Tonight though, he can do what he bloody well wants. I'm watching Holby and eating chocolate.

Meant to say, Tenminutes - hope all is OK with your DS and cancelled playdate - not nice is it. My DS went through a horrendous biting phase (approx 9 months to 18 months) nearly drove me spare. Fortunately he doesn't do it anymore (only very, very occasionally to me - obvs not great, but better than other kids), but it was without doubt the most stressful 9 months of my life.

Will head to the library tomorrow. X

you sound exhausted

regarding the sleep thing - i would just hug him at lunchtime, be with him, feed him some carbohydrate, cut out any juice or sweets, then cuddles until he settles, then you lie down and close your eyes, and he will copy you

I had to literally teach my then 20mth old HOW we sleep - mummy likes to sleep, ah it feels good to rest, see i close my eyes and i just rest BLAH BLAH BLAH

i think he thought when it was dark when he shut his eyes he couldnt understand what was happening, I really do!!

There were days when i literally napped on the sofa with him after lunch, or put a big soft rug and cushions on the floor to make a soft rest nap area, close the curtains to calm him.

Repeat daily.

Then at bedtime, stay with him, start your tea at 5pm, then pj's after, then clean teeth, up to bed by 6ish or half 6. Hold him hug him stroke his hair while you say we'll sing a little song - i sang anything they knew from CBeebies - postman pat was a favourite and just sit with him. Gradually lay back and let him sleep. You sleep too if you need to.

Gradually, once he is more secure knowing youre there when he awakes, then his whole issue with attachment to you, trying to control you etc will diminish.

HTH a bit, just going by what helped me when i was a million miles from family on other side of the world with 2 under 2!!