im going mad. When someone else is here, be it my dh or his grandparents, DS is an angel who will obey commands, eat properly, and generally be a happy, well behaved little boy.
When i'm on my own with him, he has numerous temper tantrums if i try to be firm with him, screams hits and cries, wont go for a nap (he will fall asleep on command for his daddy) i just cant seem to control him at all.
Now i know hes only 2 but i know how good he can be, he's a wonderful, charismatic, sweet little boy, so this must be my doing. I am guilty of shouting at him or when he does something dangerous slapping him on the hand (for instance when he decided the plug socket looked like a fun toy, or when he decided he would kick my stomach while getting nappy change, im 26 wks preg) and i feel like im the worst mother in the world
He's been in his big boy bed about 3 weeks now, today is the first time i have managed to get him to take a nap. Every other day, lack of nap has resulted in him falling asleep in his tea (at 5.30) which is not normal for him. To get him to nap i had to hold the covers over him so he couldn't escape (head was uncovered ofc) which made him cry. It was gut wrenching, but after he stopped crying i picked him up, sang a little song, cuddled, tucked him in and gave him and his teddy a kiss. He fell asleep. I still feel like a monster though, no one else has this much trouble.
Tried naughty chair, times out, tiring him out with activities, raising my voice, speaking calmly, removing him from situations where he's acting up, a soft slap on the hand, nothing works. Again, if my husband or someone else does this, it works a treat. He even comes and gives you a "sorry cuddle" if he's been told off. Never when i'm with him on my own though, he just ignores me. I'm a sahm so this is really getting me down, to the point where im phoning my dh for help and crying.
any advice/words of wisdom? its much needed.