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?

Beautygal has it nailed. Love that analogy!!

Joining in in solidarity of a crappy day. My 17 month old has tantrumed all day and is also refusing food. He still wakes 8+ times a night so we're struggling.

Then my 4 year old tantrumed this afternoon because he wanted a new train and doesn't want to wait for Christmas

My 7 year old is like this :-/
No advice at all, it's draining sometimes :-/

I'm actually really enjoying my just-turned-2 year old! He can be frustrating and isn't a stranger to a tantrum, but they're usually relatively short-lived. To be honest I'm finding it a hell of a lot easier than when he was tiny, or actually, I think it was hardest when he was between around 7-11 months. I found weaning quite stressful (God knows why) and he was still having a lot of bf and waking a fair bit in the night. I have another due in Feb so I'm making the most of things now :)

OP, it's totallynit unreasonable to ins things hard though - I certainly felt you dos a year or so back. Different developmental stages (and of course, different children) bring their challenges.

Mine is two in a couple of weeks. I just wanted him to get away from me this afternoon. I am 7 months pregnant. Have spent the last few days in hospital with him with breathing problems. Now back at my mums ( getting building work done at ours) and it is not child proof. He is going stir crazy and just wants me to play with him. He is so strong and everything is a battle. I adore him but I am really dreading the next few months.

In answer to your original post, I can confirm that yes, two year olds are indeed a struggle, as are two year olds who are constipated. I will admit to having just done a great big cry.

quiet we had (have) inhalers since 9mo and he just isn't taking them effectively enough for them to be of any use. He is on montelukast crystals at the moment and they are helping.

Can I ask why your DS takes the syrup before bed in winter? If have thought summer was worse for allergies but perhaps there is something I've not thought of?

I don't think he has allergies but with all of the building work going on it is a bit dusty here although I do try to protect his bedroom as much as possible.

It's really worth trying to find something you really enjoy doing together. My 2yr old is very keen on the bike seat. He is strapped in and contained and not bothering me and I can pootle along slowly getting some fresh air and exercise.
Tbh when I'm in sole charge we are mostly out. I find being in the house for more than a couple of hours tough. If we get stuck in for a whole afternoon I get a film - this week waiting for the boiler guy we watched ice age 2 which he loved cause it had dinosaurs in :)

I would add getting out of the house, playgroups etc is generally the best way to cope with a demanding energetic two year old boy. I am also sometimes a bit jealous of friends with placid little girls ( and placid boys for that matter) but wouldn't change him for the world.

I forgot to add that DS was speaking in sentences at 16 months. So it had nothing whatsoever to do with frustration at not being able to communicate. He could communicate perfectly well..NO I don't want to do that/go there/eat this/anything/everything.

bodicea and littlefish have some

Yes I need to find a new playgroup!

I loved the newborn stage but found the toddler stage very difficult.

try a humidifier at night. We have a cold air one and it's great for a bit of wheezing when the have colds so might help with his asthma, perhaps?

I work too but when I'm at home I get out as much as possible. Lots of walks, parks, soft play (cheap toddler prices), I go to one toddler group as I hate them but he adores the place. At home I'm not ashamed to shove some paella pig on lie in the sofa and snuggle.

paella pig = peppa pig

Yours sounds Ok compared to mine OP. Mine won't go in the car, at all. We have spent the day once again doing nothing and going nowhere.

I just isn't worth the pain.

Bodicea - sympathies. I have large gaps between mine and don't think I'd have coped with smaller ones but I am told having a closer gap is much easier in the long run.

Ah thanks quiet

My asthma is particularly bad at this time of year, something to do with leaves and mould spores or something. It never bothers me in summer.

In my experience of my 2 year old bad behaviour is directly linked to not having had enough sleep, and because of this 18 months - 2 years was actually much worse for tantrums here. Her behaviour is largely very good now that she sleeps very well having previously been an atrocious sleeper! She still has her moments though!

Well I have had four of the blighters and I find two year olds are nicest asleep after a bath. They are lovely then. The rest of the time, well, that's what MN is for.

I'd agree they are little rotters at that age. Mine are now 3 and a half and is definitely easier than it was last year in lots of ways. One of mine, who is a really sweet kid, nevertheless could work herself into such a rage (about 10 times a day) that when her key worker from nursery was on holiday and the head was taking her place, she said she was scared! I remember getting her first little report from nursery and on the "my mum and dad can help me with" bit it said, "encouraging me to give my plate back when I'm finished my dinner instead of tipping it onto the floor." Yeah, that's my girl.

When they get to nearly 3 they get much more calm and sociable but they also bullshit you endlessly and get much more imaginative about doing stupid things. You almost need more babyproofing at 3 than at 2. On the other hand they get their free nursery hours, plus they are old enough for lots of classes and stuff where you sit on the side instead of having to get involved - dance classes, swimming etc. And somewhere around 2 and a half you can introduce them to Frozen which is like a toddler off switch.

2yo's are hard work.

And it's after 2 years yo give up looking for the off switch and realise there isn't one...the just sleep when they're tired(which is inevitably less than you)

But one day they won't want to sleep in your bed, and that moment us bitter sweet....

My mum has admitted to me now I'm adult that she found it really difficult to play with my toys and so made up totally inappropriate games with my toys, like Barbie and Ken being pulled over for drunk driving. I have no memory of this so I don't think it did any lasting damage!