To ask if this is normal toddler behaviour?

[toddlerdilemma]

Name changed for this.

DD is 18 months. Lately we have seen our placid lovely baby transform into a little tyrant. The tantrums are so stressful at times. Even our childminder has commented on the change in her from super chilled and easy going to "strong willed" and challenging 🙈

Here's a snapshot of her behaviours:

• 8 out of 10 nappy changes are a literal fight with her. She will not lie still. She rolls off the mat and runs away, if I try to hold her still she screams, and I means screams, like I'm torturing her. This is more so if I've had to interrupt her play time to change her.

• throws herself on the floor and shouts "no!" whilst crying if we have to leave somewhere when she's enjoying herself. She did this in the park recently and was literally face down in the mud crying, I had to carry her out of there red faced!

• hates being strapped into her high chair and will cry when we try to do this but does usually settle once we give her her meal etc - it's just the chair she hates (presumably being strapped in / restricted?)

• hits herself in the head when she's overtired - this is only occasionally but it upsets me when she does this as I'm worried she could hurt herself - obviously I hold her hands to stop her doing this

Are these things "normal"? My childminder tells me that in her experience they are and that she's going through the terrible 2s early.

Is she right or do I have a child with behavioural difficulties? 😥

All normal.

Toddles are cute but also tiny little arseholes when the mood strikes.

Seem normal, I remember all of these being brief phases with my two very different NT toddlers. I think the worrying thing with these types of behaviours is not that they occur but that they go on for too long. So not worth worrying at all yet.

Yes totally normal behaviour…stressful for you but normal for a toddler…it will get better 💐

This made me laugh so much. Definitely tiny arseholes at times! But also know how to pull it back to super cute mode just in time before you sell them on eBay. 🤨

@toddlerdilemma it's Etsy you want to flog them on. You did after all make them yourself.

But yes, all normal, mostly looking forward to DS potty training so I don't need to wrestle him to change him.

I'm not sure if it's normal or not as he's my oldest but my Son is 18 months and is exactly the same right now - I never know what's going to set him off!

I just keep hoping it's a phase that will end soon!

Toddlers have no emotional regulation and won’t for a very long time yet. It’s your job to show them how to regulate their emotions.

So normal, we call the throwing themselves on the floor tantrum ‘polishing the floor’ in my house 🤣

I would say all completely normal. They get a lot feistier and more independent/strong willed at that age (is the nice way of putting it 😁)

Sounds normal. My 2 year old is the same, except he loves his high chair and tantrums when we take him out of it.
Tantrums can be embarrassing but every parent will have dealt with it.
Also I'm a nursery nurse and toddler tantrums starting at 18 months is pretty common so I really wouldn't worry.

Yes its normal

All normal. Toddlers are a PITA.

Totally normal. And a big shock to your system.

I found it useful at the time (and still do when my kids go into a different development stage) to really consciously think to myself ‘ok, we’re in a different land now. What mode do I need to be in to give them what they need in this land?’

So it might be getting used to their new free will and thinking about how you can give expression to that. And/or do they need more physical activity now?

Anyway, you’re definitely not in Kansas any more!

Thanks everyone I feel reassured!

Does anyone know what the hitting in the head when she's overtired is about? Is it just frustration maybe? That one worries me the most actually.

Very normal. Maybe try getting her to bed earlier if she seems over tired, and making sure she’s eating regularly as that affects them so much, but it just sounds like normal toddlerhood.

Couldn't be normal. My DD and your DD could be best mates

Couldn't be MORE normal! Sorry

She goes to bed at 7pm, latest 7.30, every night pretty much. It's just while she's drifting off having her milk, she will sometimes start hitting her head. Like I say I will hold her hands to stop her and reassure her saying it's ok, mummy's here, close your eyes etc.. and eventually she does. It's not nice to see my baby hitting herself though. 😥

Yes, normal. My son used to hit himself in the head whenever he was frustrated and he graduated to banging his head against the wall/door whenever he didn’t get his own way or was told no (starting from 18 months!) he was basically a very strong willed toddler. I had the same worries about the head banging but his nursery advised me he would probably grow out of it once he could articulate his feelings with words. He did, by about the age of 3 🙂

Haha @Blocked - it's hard work isn't it! Good job they're so cute!

Yep all normal. It’s hard, sometimes I feel like I am walking on eggshells around my toddler but the good moments are just incredible and make up for it.

I remember reading about this with my first. He used to bang his forehead against things! My DD now pulls and hits her ear when tired. I think repetitive physical stimulation is just soothing for them.

They do need more physical exercise now and outside if possible. Half an hour walk on the reins or toddle round the park will pay dividends- a calmer afternoon and easier bedtime hopefully.

Oh yes there are so many good moments where I she just fascinates me and seeing her learn and develop etc, there's nothing better. Got to take the rough with the smooth I guess!

@FourNaanJeremy

That's very reassuring, thank you!

Oh and we moved to nappy pants at that stage, easier to pull up as they run off than dealing with tabs.