To think this is not normal behaviour from a 2.5 yr old.

[legaleagle21]

Please give me your opinions. I am really worried about how my 2.5 year old behaves.

At home he likes his own way - but don't all toddlers. We are consistent with rewards and sanctions and mostly he is a good boy.

BUT when we go to any sort of mums and tots, tumble tots, jo jingles etc he behaves like a demon.

All the other kids mostly sit or play nice . Singing, listening to the story etc. My son just runs amok and screams. I have tried encouraging him to conform, time out, telling him off, rewards the lot- but NO he will not behave.

He did go through a phase of pushing other kids but that seems to have stopped.

I really just dont know what to do - my mum says I have to keep taking him as he has to learn to behave in group situations. My husband says don't he says if he does not like it just take him the park or soft play places - where he plays nice.

Today I have been in tears - his behave was so bad at mums and tots. He just ran around while they were doing the singing. I kept trying to bring im into the circle but he kept running away.

When the story was on he grabed the doll the lady was using and would not give it back - to her or me - spoiling the story for everyone.

After this I took him home b4 the free play bit - (the bit when he behaves well usually) as I was about to cry.

The looks of some of the other mums and the whispering is horrible- when they can see I am doing my best to try and control him.

I am a primary school teacher myself so I feel especially like a failure as I should be better than most at knowing what to do.

My DD was like this as well so I just dropped the groups that caused the problems. She also went through a phase of hitting so I would tell her if she hit anyone I woudl take her home immmediatley. And I did even if I had paid and only been there 10 minutes. She is now 5 and very good at sitting and listening and mixing so he will get better. My DS on the other hand will happily sit and listen and he is barely 2. Just give him time he will be fine.

I don't get this. why bother going to mother and toddler groups if he obviously doesn't enjoy it? there are other ways for him to socialise than mother and toddler groups!!! try going outdoors when the weather is good and let him run wild in the park, wear himself out.

I know how you are feeling. I had a 2.5yo like this. He is 3 past and calmed down a lot. But I don't do scheduled groups or mother and toddlers (gave all that sort of stuff up when he was about 12 mo - no point being a martyr when you are struggling with him and you can't even get a chance to drink a cup of tea and chat to other mothers because you are too busy stressing out about what he is going to do next, who he will hit etc).

Do more activities like walking in the woods, round the block, things that will really exhaust him where he will still meet others yet you don't feel that you are constantly worrying how his behaviour is going to be.

Why put yourself through it all???

Mowgli, I want to track down that old lady you met and give her a huge hug.