Two year old misbehaving

[Dippy001]

My DD has changed significantly since my son was born. She cries at everything, she cries if I tell her off, she cries if she doesn't get her way. She cries every night and refuses to sleep in the day. She is a fussy eater and doesn't eat a wide spectrum of food. Some days she doesn't even want her weetabix for breakfast.

I had just started to discipline her by putting her in the cot when she misbehaves, when she jumped out of it and hurt herself, so that's now gone. She's even broken my laptop and generally just says 'no' to every request.

So what is going on? What can I do to stop it? Please help.

O dear, sorry to hear she's being as terrible as mine. There are a few helpful suggestions on here. We are trying to find a solution to her behaviour but I'm starting to think this is a phase, albeit a long one.

Are you trying anything to stop her toe bashing?

Wow I'm glad I've found you lot. I logged on to start my own post after a particularly trying day with DS 2.6 but you seem to have it covered here.
I'm sick of hearing myself shouting at him, repeating myself as he never listens and never does as he's told. He says no to everything and refuses to do everything else. Wants carrying, feeding, constant attention. Seems to have forgotten how to play, just slams stuff about, screams and lashes out (DH gets the brunt of this, he's drawn blood on many occasions). Theres lots of crying and whining. And today he blew massive defiant raspberries at some sweet little old ladies who were trying to talk to him.
I also have a new baby, well she's 6 mo now, and I didn't really think the 2 were linked as he's completely lovely with her, but maybe he is jealous....
I see other toddlers having their moments, but his seem to be on another level, or maybe it just seems that way.
If this is indeed just a phase, anyone have any idea how long it will last??, I'm really not enjoying this!

Someone said it took quite a long time. I assume a year or so. My toddler loves the baby too, lots of kisses and cuddles. I don't think it is related as other mums have posted and they don't have babies as well.

I'm sending my toddler to nursery now, 2 afternoons a week, for some sanity. I think on the spectrum of bad behaviour she is at the top end. No eating, no naps, constant crying and a no to everything. I am so tired today I could cry.

on a positive note, for some unknown reason we have had a lovely toddler today

Today was a better day here too

I spent most of the day working, when I did spend time with DD she was happier than yesterday but we were out. I swear she gets bored of being at home.

My advice is to accept part of it is being 2 and is a phase and that it will pass. Punish the big stuff,hitting, breaking things etc, but if she won't eat her breakfast don't turn it into an issue. She won't starve. She also might not need a nap everyday, some days mine doesn't.

A strange tip that works for my ds2 (2.5) is to tell him his crying / wailing / shouting is waking the birds and upsetting them. He tends to stop as he loves the birds. Other distractions that I use are airplanes, helicopters are in the sky...... They rarely are but it breaks the crying and he forgets whatever he was upset about. I also use humour as a tool, eg: tickling, asking if he wants a swing around when he is mid cry. He always says yes.

The terrible 2's are hard. Good luck and I hope some of the above might be of use.

Not called the terrible two's for nothing...take deep breaths, knock back a large gin and tonic and repeat "this too shall pass". Cake also helps.

It will pass. It will pass. It will pass.

You have a Tantruming Toddler and a Jealous Older Sibling. These are both difficult periods but look on the bright side, you're getting them both over with at once!

She will be lovely again one day and you will look back on this and breathe a sigh of relief. You will.

I bloody hope so. I'm sooo looking forward to taking her to nursery tomorrow for a settling in session. Only 1 hour but it will be so nice and quiet. I refuse to feel guilty about this. I've just had enough.

How did nursery go?

Don't feel guilty about it! The interaction with other children, the activities, learning new things, all very important for small children. They say the earlier they learn to socialise the more naturally it comes. My two went at three and two and they are very sociable and friendly. She can only benefit from it.

Hope you had a nice peaceful morning.

It was good, she was ok. She hid behind me for half an hour, then saw the sand and started playing. So I only left her for half an hour. When I got back she was throwing sand on her keyworker and giggling. Ooops.

Going to just drop her off tomorrow for 2.5 hours!!! The relief is immense.

Glad it went well. Sorry I didn't reply earlier, we've had a shit week!