2 year old really doesn't want to get dressed

[heygabb]

He contorts himself, screams, has tantrums and makes it do hard for me to dress him.

I've tried giving him choices, trousers first or top? Or even two different outfits but he just kicks off as soon as it's time to get dressed.

I have to physically restrain him and use a lot of energy to get him dressed. It's very stressful.

What else can I do to make this easier ?

I think it's mainly because he doesn't want to go to nursery because on a recent holiday he was not behaving like this. But at home, even when I tell him he's not going to nursery, he behaves like this. It's a struggle every day !

Sounds like you've tried a lot of things. I would try an "are you getting dressed or going to nursery in pyjamas today" approach- and actually take him in pyjamas if he refuses to get dressed (put clothes in bag to get changed at nursery).
Probably doing that a few times would shock him into realising that he's going to nursery dressed or not.
I also like the suggestion of putting him in bed in joggers and t-shirt then he's ready to go in the morning!

Just to expand on my earlier post, as this happens predominantly on nursery days, could he be experiencing separation anxiety? If this is so overwhelming that usual strategies aren't effective, he'll likely be experiencing fight or flight. Might be worth you looking at strategies to support toddlers through anxiety, if it's possible that might be the root cause. Also speak to nursery to see if they notice anything during the day that might suggest he's feeling anxious, just in case it's something more specific that's bothering him.

I'd just say, 'OK, you can go to nursery in your PJs.' Or as PP said, get him ready for bed at night in stretchy joggers and a long sleeved tee that can double as day clothes.

The phase will pass. Don't turn it into a battle. DS1 spent about 3 months in felt Santa Claus outfits from the 99p store. I had to buy a stack of them as he refused to wear anything else until mid March. I got told off all the time by passersby and nursery staff for being so cruel to him but I couldn't see why they cared. He was warm and happy.

I know you've got a busy morning situation, but honestly what helped stop these tantrums with my daughter was waking her up earlier than necessary so she had time to play, sometimes we cuddled and read a book before we needed to get up properly. She just hated waking up and then it immediately being one thing after another that she needed to do but didn't want to. Putting clothes on, brushing teeth, washing face, none of these are fun or interesting for a 2 year old, so they're going to resist because they don't understand why these are necessary and they just want to do something more fun like playing! Giving her some attention and letting her play meant she was much more amenable when it came to the things that needed to be done. I used the time she was playing to get myself ready then came back for her, but always giving a chunk of leeway time because rushing is stressful!
It's hard but sometimes I have to look at it from a different perspective, my husband is happy to wake up and immediately get out of bed. I like to wake up, stretch, sit up, open the curtains, drink some water, check my phone etc, before getting up. So I think my toddler is just more like me, she likes to take her time, so I gave her extra time and it has helped. She can't communicate that yet so she'd just fight my husband when he tried to get her ready immediately after waking her up.

Mine have all gone through stages of this with both nappy changes and putting on clothes. I had time for sticker charts with my eldest that worked quite well but with 2 and 3, not a chance. I'd never get anyone out of the door on time and just had to put the clothes on amid the thrashing. I had a sweaty struggle every day but eventually that phase passed when they decided they wanted to put their own clothes on. It's pretty normal behaviour as far as I gather.

That’s literally child abuse. I hope you don’t have your own children.