Ok, I thought we already were well into the terrible twos...

[winnybella]

DD (26mo) has been having minor tantrums for quite a few months so I assumed this is it and won't get any worse...

For the last week she delights in changing her mind all the time and having a major tantrum.

So it goes like this:

DD: Apple, apple!
Me:Ok, DD, mama will wash you an apple
DD: Pear, pear!
Me: Pear?OK.
DD: Noooo! Apple, apple!
Me: Which one do you want: pear or apple?
DD: Apple! Pear! and then throws herself on the floor screaming.

She also became obsessed with routine like she always wants to unlock the door, press the buttons in the lift etc and any deviation from that routine ends in tears.

So this is just the beginning, isn't it? How long will it last?

Ah, and most importantly, how do you deal with it?

Boo is the same age. 26 months on wednesday to be exact and the whole "exercising her will" thing that the MN news letter has told me about isn't a new thing but no it does get better. Once you know how to deal with them. Tantrums are fairly easy, just walk away (of course if they are at risk of hurting themselves move them somewhere safe). Tantrums are a doddle in this house even though they are explosive. It's the biting other kids I have trouble with!

Can I join the 26 months club? :-))
My LO is also 26 month and at the moment my life seems a constant battle:tantrums when going at the playground (he doesn't want to go in, although he asked to go a minute before), screaming to the top of his voice when some poor child wants his toy or somthing of his, screaming at some children if they show sign they would like to interract with him, and be friendly with others, the list goes on.
I'm worried that he will not make friends as the kids get frightened by the screams and also don't like to see him crying over this as he always does. He is otherwise very gentle,carring and sociable. No sure what to think and especially how to deal with it either. This is ever harder as to of the mums I've made friends with they just judge me and him and telling me I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do correctly, :-(((. Feeling lonely and stressed.:-(

DD is 29 months and has been doing the apple pear thing for ages. After giving her a chance to decide, I just shrug it off. This last week, if the screaming goes on for too long I tell her that I will take her out of the room if she keeps screaming and then I do it. I don't know if it will help her - I think she just needs to grow out of this phase when she seems to be overwhelmed by all the choice in the world - but I just can't take it anyomre.

Oh, looneytuney, my ds was like yours and I also felt very isolated. He is a very reasonable 4.5 year old now, with good friends at preschool. I can't wait to get to that stage with dd.