'No, I don't like that, no shoes mummy carry me, mummy go 'way, my do it! Don't you love toddlers' negative phases...

[DIYandEatCake]

Nnnnggggh. Anyone else out there with an infuriatingly negative and stubborn 2 year old at the moment? Dd is 2.6, I'm 30 weeks pregnant (so may also not be at my best), and my patience is pushed to its limits. We do choices, we do consequences, but anything that she doesn't agree with results in a raging tantrum (and she's just learned how to ignore me and pretend she hasn't heard). I know we'll get through it - we seem to have these negative phases every so often - but I've had enough now and want my sweet-natured, inquisitive toddler back, now please!

I have one of these too! At 26 months she is very charming and endearing, clever and a lovely sweet child but stubborn as hell.

Like you DIY we work hard to always give her choices to make her feel she has some control but if things don't go as she wants, wow she can scream and she won't let it go. I have known her scream full pelt for 90 mins because she wanted daddy to get her out of the car not me (and daddy wasn't even at home!). And the latest thing was tonight my DH lifted the loo seat down for her, she then decided she wanted me to do it not daddy so screamed the place down.

Sigh.

My strategy has been to give her choices where possible and to pick my battles. I let her have her way over trivial things - when she insists she is wearing purple sparkly shoes with green trousers and an orange top (yuck!) for example. It's just not worth the fight!

But it's hard work all the same.

Here's hoping that our sweet little toddlers return sometime soon.

Same here. 2.4 DD is a shouty so-and-so at the moment and it's not just if she doesn't get her way, sometimes she screams both ways.
Me:"yes of course you can wear those purple sparkly shoes with green trousers"....
DD:"noooooooooo, mummy, no shoes.......
Me: Takes shoes away
"i want the shoes, why mummy, nooooooo.....
Me: Bangs head against wall, wonders if I could really do this while pregnant (considering ttc), wonders if it's too early for wine and is late for everything.

I have one of these too! DD is 2.5 and so stubborn it's frustrating. The latest battle revolves around (not) getting dressed in the morning. I cajole, encourage, let her pick, bribe, pretend I'm going out without her & then usually resort to shouting. None of which work of course!

My mum is convinced its because she's a Taurus. I am just hoping it's an age thing

Ds2 is 3.5 now.

As long as we let him win (first up the stairs, first in the car etc), we are now past all this

Tis bliss!

I have one of those too. 26 month old. She's bonkers.

We've had tears and tantrums tonight because we stupidly told her we were going swimming tomorrow. All I heard for 90 minutes before bedtime was 'swimming, mummy swimming now?' on repeat. We tried to explain sleep first, then breakfast then swimming and she frowned and went to the cupboard where the cereral was to get 'breakfast... she's not bloody stupid!

Choices work and constant communication of what is happening now and in the future. The moment I'm rushing, or pushing her to do something quickly - a tantrum enfolds (i.e. rushing out of house, get your shoes on etc)

How long does it last?

My dd is 2.7 and her favourite phrases at the moment are,
"Silly bunting mummy" (silly billy bunting!)
"Mummy meany pants"
"I can do it myself"
All crossed with a lovely little foot stamp, scowl and folded arms. She is going to be dreadful as a teenager!!

Mine a little younger, 22 months, but very similar. "No like it", "no, do it own self" plus numerous requests that when fulfilled turn out to be completely, utterly and unforgiveably WRONG!

Has everyone read the CuttedUp Pear thread in classics?