To have lost interest in my toddler

[user19888891]

My DD is 2.5yrs. She is so difficult right now. The last few days she has been screaming (just because she can), hitting me, hitting the baby, pushing the baby, throwing things, shouting at me move out her way, read her books, get a snack, turn the tv on etc etc. It’s constant loud noise and intermittent tantrums.
I usually try to take her out everyday but I really just can’t be bothered today, I don’t want to make the effort. I’m also finding it difficult to play with her because she constantly shouts at me and hits me.
I feel terrible for thinking this way but she’s such hard work

It’s funny because my toddler daughter said to me this evening ‘move out the way’ and I thought of this thread. It honestly is a phase and it does get better. My daughter will get very frustrated about little things and really have a tantrum. With a baby as well, it’s no wonder you’re exhausted. Hang in there!

PS I have 4 so I know it does get better.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and great advice. I’ve just had a chance to read all the new posts and its been so helpful

Anyone catch @Thursday37 deleted message?

i suspect directed at me wondering how unsupportive such a judgey and unsympathetic poster would be to her own children in times of stress or crisis

i have an inkling her deleted comment simply confirmed my view!

OP, I hope today is a better day for you.

I have two DC (15 and 8). Eldest was a piece of cake: really easy going, slept through, chilled baby/toddler, no tantrums etc. So I thought I was winning with the whole parenting thing. What a fool I was to think that, as it was pure luck. I then had youngest…holy fuck, she was the complete opposite from Day 1!! The tantrums were unreal and I remember being reduced to tears, wanting to tear my hair out so many times. She’d turn on a dime, and between about 2-4yrs old, it was mostly hell.

Anyway, she then calmed down and is an absolute joy now. You’re going to be just fine. Make sure you take time out to recharge (even if that means putting baby in playpen/travel cot, and plonking toddler in front of tv). Those ages are pretty intense and you have to look after yourself. Don’t let any of the shitty comments on here get to you x

@Thursday37
'This. And why have another if you can’t cope with the one you have?!'

Speaking of needlessly provocative.....

Don't let her hit you. and about at you. I know this is old fashioned but a firm telling off and time out nips this in the bud sharpish.

Eh… wind your neck in. Toddlier years are stressfull at times. OP is entitled to feel how she does. It won’t last.

She’s 2 and you’ve had another baby. How did you think she was going to behave? She’s practically a baby herself and still needs you and your attention. Sounds like it would be easier to take her out and do some fun things, at my age mine were far less likely to tantrum and misbehave outside of the house than they were if we stayed at home all day.

Wow - I needed to read this today.

I have a beautiful granddaughter who is my world, she has always been such a happy, easy little girl and an absolute pleasure to look after.

I had her yesterday and oh my god it was like she’d been possessed by something unholy! Pulling mean faces at me, shouting at me, hitting and kicking, point blank refusing to do as I ask, stamping her feet, refusing to get dressed and deliberately spilling her drink everywhere then screaming when I took it off her. She’s 2 years old. Love her dearly but my god I was happy to get home to my child free house last night! 😂

That age is hard as they’re still babies trying to understand the world without any logic or reason. I would echo the advice of getting out if possible but to classes as well as free play so someone else is in charge. You could probably find a music class suitable for both of yours for example. I found with both of mine there were big shifts every 6 months in how easy they were at that age. You’re likely getting disturbed sleep and are very much in the thick of it with a small age gap. It does get easier.

When I felt like you feel (and my DC was very full-on and a runner at that age so often quite hard work), we'd have what I'd term a 'mental health day' for me. This generally started with soft play in the morning in a nice small play cafe to wear DC out (I'd sit and have a coffee), then back home to nap and fairly unlimited screen-time in the afternoon. Then DC would have a loooong bath with toys while I watched from the hallway in a comfortable chair. Then I'd read some stories and we'd do bedtime. There are some days that you don't feel like all-singing, dancing mummy and, unless you have a helpful granny or friend to fob your child off onto, you need to give yourself a break as best you can. Being a parent is relentless and it's ok to take a day or two off from being super-mummy and just make sure everyone is safe and fed.