To really not be enjoying spending time with my toddler at the moment?

[auturn]

Until recently I loved spending days with her but now she’s become horrible (obviously not really but …)

She has all but stopped talking and instead communicates with a high pitched whine that goes right through me. (She can talk perfectly well.)

She won’t engage with potty training at all. I don’t want to make it a battle of wills but she’s becoming so stubborn and to be honest on occasion downright unpleasant that it’s hard to know how I’m going to tackle it.

She’s always been quite easy to jolly or distract out of a tantrum but now she’s becoming quite violent towards me and lashing out.

I think she does have her last teeth coming through and she’s also had a spate of ear infections which we have a hospital appointment for this week so I’m hoping it’s just that but I’m really not much enjoying spending time with her just now

Solidarity. Going through a difficult phase with our youngest too. She's 2 and 7 months. It will pass.

MINE TOO! Is it just the age? I was hoping she’d get easier but she seems to be losing the lovely gentleness she had as a younger baby / toddler.

Ear infections make me so irritable as an adult.

Not surprised a toddler with them, without adult emotional regulation would start acting out.
Hugs xxx

I'm assuming she's 2? Yeah, it's the absolute worst age. I felt like my eldest was 2 for years because it was such an awful phase of life and he was such a handful 24/7 and I barely enjoyed any time with him. Hang in there though, mine is nearly 4 now, and being 3 has flown by because he is a joy (most of the time anyway).

Ooh that whine is ear splitting/ teeth grinding isn't it? Been 20 years since any of mine were toddlers and still remember that

Fortunately they do grow out of it.

Thank you - just really hoping she reverts back to her normal lovely self soon!

They typically get more defiant from 2.5, it’s why they do recommend potty training from 20-30 months but plenty do it a lot later and are totally fine. Definitely don’t bother with it if they are in the middle of the defiant stage!! Mine started about 2.5 got steadily worse for a while and now at 4, aside from struggling with transitions, she’s much more fun again. Though we also had another when she was 2 years 8 months so feel like it was a combination of development and getting less mummy time! My youngest is just 2 now and still mostly a delight (for now) So I am going to try and potty train her in Easter but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.

Top tips for whining are just saying you can’t understand them when they speak like that or responding in a really silly voice to get them to laugh and break out of it. I’m with you though, I find tears/meltdowns and angry strops easier than incessant whining!!

I probably should have tried last summer but she felt a bit on the young side. She’s definitely in a very defiant stage and I know it’s normal - just really tedious to deal with!

If her personality has changed completely and she's had a bit of an illness just look.ul PANDAs syndrome and see if any of it looks familiar. Its probably usual toddler behaviour but if it is a complete change its worth just goggling and going to the doctors if so.