Random one just need some advice please

[poopeeplops]

I have a 20mth old and he has kicked it up a notch with the tantrums, not listening and "I want everything" situation, I'm really struggling to find a good daily routine with him to keep him happy, I just feel like I'm losing grip on disciplining him and keeping a happy home, I'm a single mum and trying my best. We see friends with children and do groups when we can he doesn't really play a lot with toys he just wants to play in cupboards, household things to find out how they work, is this normal?? I just want him to be happy and not tell him off as often! Any help wud be great x

I think it's normal to want to explore at that age and all children find something very different to be most engaged by. I've had similar behaviuoral concerns with my 2.5yr old and have tried to switch the focus more consciously on overly praising good behaviour and politeness.

Hope that helps, good luck!

Yes, it sounds normal. Pick your battles. His urge to explore is not 'naughty'. Set some ground rules of things that he must NOT do (eg hitting/kicking/snatching) and always carry out an appropriate punishment. You can let everything else go and try to distract away from difficult behaviour - use a high pitched excited sounding voice to say "Oh Wow! Look at this......(cat/dog/tree/toy)..."

Good luck xx