Terrible Two's - shared stories, suggestions and frankly I just need to rant!

[seoraemaeul]

DD turned 2 at the end of November and in the last couple of weeks she has turned from a pretty happy wee thing with the odd strop into a full blown screaming diva! And I know its a stereotype but I swear my DS never did this!
Today she screamed for 45 minutes because I had cut her toast into soldiers, yesterday it was because her brother was cuddling me.... you get the picture.
Currently I'm not giving into the request, trying to get her to calm down as much as possible without actually cuddling her the whole time (especially when what she wants is for me to leave DS and just be with her) but good lord is driving me insane especially when they can kick off 3 or 4 times a day
Please share your horror stories - and even better success stories to make me feel better

I walked away from my screaming DD 2.3 at the time in Tesco's. Fortunately in a quiet aisle. She wouldn't walk with me or sit in the trolley so threw herself face down on the floor. I acted totally unconcerned and carried on looking for things on the shelf that I didn't need. It worked (although I did get a few looks from the other shoppers) .

I also had 45 minutes of screaming at about 18 months because I'd cut her toast and not cut mine the same . A simple "please don't cut my toast like that mummy" would have worked much better. Perhaps a bit much to ask at that age.

• Screaming because the pancakes I'd made had sat untouched for 20 mins so I threw them away. "Paaaancaaaakes mummmmmy!"

• Hitting other toddlers who dare to go down the slide too slowly

• Refusing to sit in his car seat because he wants to site in the front seat like Daddy does

• Won't get back in his buggy after going to the park and flinging himself on the floor dramatically

Please someone tell me it gets better. Its like a switch flicked when he turned 2!

Mine's younger, but just as bad I think!
Scream 'no jam mummy no jam way!'. Jam put away. 'Where jam mummy want jam want jam' ad infinitum...

Sorry you're all going through the same thing - but has made me feel better. Do keep them coming so I'll remember its not just my little madam who behaves like this!

Definately not alone!
I have a 3 yr old DS. He never tantrumed. Winges now and other 'behaviours' but never tantrum. No one believed me. DS is about to turn 2 and is quite a different story. No idea if its a gal thing, a 2nd child thing or just who she is. Has an iron will. DD kicks off at least 5 times a day and they are major, but quite short lived. She runs towards you shaking and then plonks herself down whilst still raging. Just now she's started to do it and then run at you arms flailing whilst sying 'need a tuddle'! I have no idea what works. I often say 'Stop crying' which I've 'worried' about before, but it works a treat with us. She stops almost immediately and I try and get a bit more snese out of her or distract: "What's that in your ear?! ooh! A marshmallow" was my attempt this AM which worked alright, til I tried to strap her in her carseat....
Oh the joys!
She also 'bullies' her brother, he's happy watching TV and she just goes up and terrories him - drives me nuts.
As for toast, I don't cut it at all, give her a toddler knife and let her butcher it how she pleases!

This all sounds familiar! Especially the tantrum after throwing away food that they DIDN'T EAT! I find it hard to cope with day in day out but then I watched my DH lose it the other morning and found myself explaining to him and my other DS that youngest DS (2) is just learning to talk and sometimes can't find the word/expressions to explain what he wants/is feeling which results in a tantrum, so we should try to be patient when it is clear a tantrum is born of frustration. Should listen to my own advice!

My little lady is 22 months and I also have an older ds! She hates him cuddling me too, lashes out at him all the time if she can't get her way, which usually involves stealing his pens and scribbling all over his drawings.

She lashes out at me if I won't give in to her wanting cake/crisps/sweets

She pulled her own hair yesterday in extreme temper when she couldn't balance her dolly on her seesaw.

She won't sit in the buggy for long which makes shopping a nightmare experience. She also won't have reins on and refuses to hold hands. Trying then to get her back in the buggy takes about 10 minutes and I am physically exhausted from it.

She runs off all the time.

She purposefully ours her juice all over the floor then says 'uh oh'.

If other children are playing with something she wants at a play place, all hell breaks loose!

TBH its bloomin easier just staying in at the moment because she is hard work. My ds was such a chilled out, calm toddler, its been a shock having a little lady to deal with!

Does anyone use the naughty step yet? I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel!

yes we use the naughty step sometimes but it has backfired as the 2 year old and the 4 year old now play a game called 'sit on the stairs'! However, it did work with my first DS. Other option is putting them in their room and shutting door. The point of Time Out in my eyes is to just seperate the two fighting parties (parent and toddler) for a few minutes/seconds so you can take a breath and plan your next move!