Has anyone had a nightmare toddler turn into a lovely child?

[Porthcurnodreams]

Ds2 has, quite frankly been a pain in the bum since day 1.

He's 3 now and is a lot better but still highly strung.

As a baby he never slept, wouldn't be put down, screamed blue murder over everything, he had a permanent frown on his face.

He is loads better now but he's still very demanding i have 2 days at home with him and he follows me around all day screaming at me to build him a house out of cushions, even when I do and he knocks it down he then screams about that. To be honest it's just any little thing that isn't met to his exact requirements immediately results in a screaming angry demand.

I don't know where he gets it from, dh and I are quiet placid people and so is ds1.

I'm just wondering and hoping if he will ever chill out.

Mine is stating to come good at age 5 but can still be pretty awkward compared to other children.

What has helped me is trying to understand him. I had a penny drop and realised what was/is fuelling his fire. So for the last 18mo I have been trying (with mixed success) to be sympathetic instead of angry and to work with him rather than against him.

I think things will carry on improving for us.

Can you feel if there a pattern to his behaviour?

My eldest is just 7 and was always super high needs (still is in some ways). I would say that he's always going to be very sensitive but as he gets older it can be as much as a strength as a weakness - he's observant and very empathetic and curious. He's also very very academic which apparently often accompanied by being highly strung.

I would say that he's always going to be very sensitive but as he gets older it can be as much as a strength as a weakness - he's observant and very empathetic and curious. He's also very very academic which apparently often accompanied by being highly strung.

This is exactly how I would describe my ds2. Fortunately, he keeps it together at school and saves it all for his family!

My 2 year old is the same! I can't negotiate with her about anything!

I was a nightmare toddler, a highly strung child, and a sullen teen but I turned into a lovely adult. So hang on in there.

His post made me smile, dd2 is a total nightmare but people look at you crazy when you say it! So I thought it was just me 😂
Hugs x

I've got one of these, I'd describe his personality as 'tortured genius'. Now he's nearly 6 he is slowly calming down and learning to control his emotions more. He still has occasional freak outs when things don't go the way he wants. I think long term he will be fine, being a passionate person isn't a bad thing if you are passionate about world peace, just not as a toddler when they are passionate about not wearing trousers, or you cutting their sandwiches into the wrong shape etc. That is very wearing! My son is very sensitive so when I get cross with him I later explain in detail why I was frustrated and remind him I always love him, even when he is naughty.

My ds was a very emotional baby toddler and young child. Most days he was in a permanent grumpy mood. However he gradually got better and is now 13 and is lovely, I cant believe how chilled out he is compared to how he was. I think he turned a corner when he was 7 1/2 / 8 sort of age.