To think that having a 2yo is the most unenjoyable thing ever?

[BasinHaircut]

Am I doing it wrong?

He is selectively deaf.

What he does 'hear' he just says no to, even though he apparently doesn't understand the word no when I use it

He says everything 5 million times

He is loud

He is destructive

He is non-stop

He has started waking again at night

I hate it.

He is also hilarious and I love him so much it hurts, but 95% of the time he is awake I wish he wasn't here.

I am awful aren't I, and certainly not cut out to be a mother?

Check out local preschools, playgroups and nurseries to find out about places. Once you get a break, even for a few hours, you will start to appreciate all the good bits again.

Do you have a local park? Get him out in the fresh air, running around and blowing off steam as often as possible. Tire him out and let him be noisy and silly there.

DD and DS have bags of energy, it needs to be harnessed productively, when they get a bit shouty, they get to run around with a football, play on their scooters or bikes or have a session on the trampoline.

Start teaching him about having an indoor voice, he'll hear a lot about that later on, so get into good practice now

Two year olds are an explosion of nonsensical, repetitive behaviour that knacker you beyond belief.

Three year olds are similar, but answer you back.

Four year olds aren't quite as kamikaze but will argue with you forever and ever ....

YANBU. That point where physical ability/inquisitiveness has progressed, but communication skills aren't much past those of a baby is Hellish.

My middle DD spoke in sentences at 18 months. Unsurprisingly enough she was far and away the easiest.

I actually find 2-3 one of the best ages.

It just gets worse ime!

I think everyone prefers different ages though. I'm really struggling with 9/10/11.

You need some space OP. Can you send him somewhere a few hours a week? Nursery, pre-school, childminder, Grandma?

Thanks all this has made me feel better. I wrote that post before I put him to bed and now he is asleep it doesn't seem so bad!

And reading your responses has made me feel better!

Re sleep, he wakes coughing (has asthma) and wants a bottle in my bed, he has a bottle, cuddles me (which is my fave time of day atm) and goes back to sleep. Wen he is asleep I put him back in bed. It's actually the least testing part of my life right now so now I'm a bit calmer I'm not sure why I mentioned it.

It's been a bad couple of days. We are also in the middle of some expected and some unexpected building works so home is chaos. I'm doing extra days at work so even keeping up with the washing and grocery shopping seems impossible right now.

I'm also quite introverted, like my own company and don't naturally have much rapport with kids. I find playing with him quite hard work. Out and about is fine, shops, soft play, park etc we have a great time, but toys are fucking boring!

I think my post was also prompted by spending some time with my friend today whose little girl is so calm, placid, can entertain herself, doesn't get into any mischief etc. always makes me a bit jealous and start to wonder what I'm doing wrong!

And yes I think I need a break. But then I feel guilty as some mums don't seem to need one.

Yanbu, I have one and he goes to p preschool 5 days a week and I'm still exhausted. I feel like I have to repeat things a thousand times, constantly monitor him like a puppy, and am always being bossed around and told no even when he asked for it. Try to find the"cutted up pear" thread, if it's still around in classics.

He's exhausting,and I love him, but some days I'm glad when dh takes him away.

Toys can be boring, I try to make up absolutely ridiculous scenarios to keep myself engaged.

My 2 year old was hideous. The whole thing was a nightmare, i hated it.

I had two more 2 year olds, it wasn't so bad with them.

From 4, it got easier. Hang in there.

He's 19 now; we have a perfect, brilliant relationship. Have had that since he was about 13.

Sorry but massive grin at IT'S MY FACE, goaway

Up there with the infamous cutted up pear and broken banana tantrum.

Ahem.

Yes agree you could prob take your woes to the HV and get some RL support.

I swear my son at age two thought his name was Oliverno.

I hear you! My 2 year old is equal parts delight and utter terror. What gets me through is remembering that it all passes so fast and she will soon be off to school and I will miss these days. (I have older dc 7,9 &12)

I think I must be odd, have 3 kids, one who was really Advanced, one who was a bit delayed and one who was bang on average. All 3 were adorable bundles of inquisitiveness at two, and hellish Tasmanian devils at three. I always called it the tortuous threes, they do mellow out abit as they age, so there is hope

I feel your pain. They are bloomin hard work and utterly exhausting.

My sister always says 'everything's a phase' and she's right. In a few months time it will all be different and you'll be worrying about a different set of problems!

I find chocolate and wine help! (Me, not the toddler!!!)

I thought that and then she turned three and got a lot worse.

We have some amazing times together and I laugh and laugh for hours at her crazy antics and commentary on life. And then other times I want to get my passport and run away. Far away.

I think that's all part of parenting small children - I hope!

There is no way I could be a SAHM - hats off to them and single parents.

We have 2 year old twin boys. I pick my battles very carefully as so much can turn into a full on toddler meltdown with the flick of an eye.
I absolutely adore the little people when they are on form - explaining te world to them is making me appreciate new things in life that I have taken for granted. On the other hand, I am sick of saying 'no' or 'we don't throw toys/food/sticks/TV remotes/cushions' or 'stop pushing duplo through the letterbox'!

Mine is nearly 2, he is smart and funny and amazing. I do really like it when he goes to bed and I get a break though! And he's back to waking some nights or not settling at bed time and all that works is cuddles for an arbitrary amount of time until he is ready to get into bed. Must admit I like the cuddles but I also like my sleep.

Having a 2 yr old is like living with a tiny temperamental drunk. At times they are hillarious and loving and the next they are filled with rage, have wee'd somewhere they shouldn't and dealing with them is like trying to juggle water and then they fall asleeep.... And I forget why he's been a nightmare and love him all over again.

quiet we are trying to get the asthma sorted out as much as possible but at 2 they can't do the test and inhalers are impossible (we have been trying since 9mo) so we are v limited in options for treatment. My new GP is finally taking me seriously though after 2 years of being shrugged off.

It's not even like I don't get a break. I work 3 days per week (4 at the moment) and put him in the gym crèche for an hour once a week too. I certainly take my hat off to SAHM's.

I absolutely love the bones of him though. I could have cried earlier when we were in Burger King a nice healthy bistro having hummus for lunch and I said 'get down before you fall and hurt your head' and he looked at me and replied 'but mummy will kiss it better'.

I find it gets better at 4. I am not a good toddler mum.

I misread the thread title as "enjoyable" and I nearly cried as I thought who the fuck finds their 2 year old enjoyable and what am I doing wrong?

My 2 year old is almost 3. Happy days.