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Behaviour/development

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Toddlers behaviour is making me lose my mind

8 replies

CheeseBiscuits · 21/06/2019 13:53

Hello all, I just wanted to know if anyone has any advice. My DS is 2 in September, I love him more than anything but recently he’s really been trying my patience. I know that most kids his age do that on one level or another, but it seems to be all the time and nothing stops it. And if I try to tell him off in anyway he just screams and flings himself at the floor regardless of what’s around him or if it will hurt.

My biggest problem is his climbing currently. He does also have a tendency to throw all his toys on the floor and not play with any of them and to throw things down the stairs - both of which not great but at least they are not dangerous.

The climbing however worries me. I can’t leave him alone for a second, as soon as I leave a room he will climb on things. So far today he has climbed on his chest of draws once (and fallen off hurting himself), he’s climbed into the dining table three times (sternly told off after each time), he’s gotten on top of the toilet and perched on the tank twice - but the one that has scared the living crap out of me and spurred on a massive melt down was when he decided to try and throw himself out of my bedroom window. Usually I have the window open with my heavy blind down over it or my blind up and the window closed - today I forgot to close it which is incredibly rare. I went into his room to make his bed and literally in the ten seconds that took he had climbed on my bed side table, shimmied across the windowsill and was right next to the fully open window. I’m pretty sure my heart stopped and I grabbed him, put him on the bed and just broke down.

I don’t know how to stop it, it’s constant and nothing seems to work. I know at his age understanding is limited but he knows enough to only do it when I go out of a room - and he obviously has it in mind because it’s always a matter of seconds.

He also has a habit of running around all over the place when we are out, I never thought I would use reins because I’ve never liked the idea of them but I had to get some as he just won’t listen and wrestle himself away.

When your sat down with him he’s the sweetest little boy, he absolutely loves cuddles and will seek them out regularly and will ask for you to read him books etc. But he just has this full on wild streak that needs to stop.

Thank you if you read this far! Please let me know if you managed to get out of a similar phase

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
CheeseBiscuits · 21/06/2019 22:18

No one? Sad

OP posts:
Katiet123 · 22/06/2019 19:46

Oh bless you, that sounds really stressful! Mine is 2 in August and it often feels like he is here to test me! I really hope it passes for you! I have the issue of him putting things in his mouth rather than climbing. It's like a sixth sense that i goodness knows how manage to stop ridiculous things being swallowed, but then Im more prepared about what to bloody hide from him! I can imagine that you can now spot the potential hazards to prevent it happening again?

How do you get on with the reins? I like the rucksack with the rein here as he can carry toys and what not to feel more 'in control'.

TigerQuoll · 23/06/2019 08:57

Can you take him to soft play regularly to get climbing out of his system?

NaiceHamPlease · 25/06/2019 13:06

@CheeseBiscuits.... I'm really sorry I don't have any advice as such but my DS appears to be made of the same stuff as yours! He's 18 months and we've not had such a heart stopping moment as yours with the window but I've been close.

Anything is fair game to climb up at home, tables, books shelves, cupboards... I've lost count. I also use reins with him when we are out, something I never imagined I'd do but absolutely necessary for his safety and my sanity.

I just make sure he gets as much excersie as I can possibly manage, we either do a class or the park every morning and also out every afternoon. I just can't keep him entertained at home. He does seem better being out as much as possible and he'll walk quite far now which burns off loads of energy. I think looking at new stuff while we are out curbs the need to stimulate himself by climbing up everything too.

He's also covered in bruises up his legs from his exploits, I do worry someone will think I'm mistreating him Hmm

Our favoutire parks are the ones with the play area fenced in to he can have his freedom to some extent. He's also loves swimming and soft play. I'm just hopeful that as he gets older I can sign him up to all sorts of sports clubs and that'll help!

Sipperskipper · 30/06/2019 08:12

He sounds like my daughter who has just turned 2!

We tend not to go anywhere she can’t run off (mainly go to parks / woods etc and I just run after her!) but I’m also thinking I will need reins for busy places. My day is basically spent trying to wear her out!

We have to keep all accessible windows shut and locked. We set up as much climbing stuff in the garden as possible - ladders, boxes, benches, and my husband has even made her a climbing wall. I feel like it’s just what her body / brain needs to be doing, so I try and direct it all to there. It seems to help because she no longer climbs the furniture!

mincymoo124 · 01/07/2019 10:45

@CheeseBiscuits my nearly 2 year old loves climbing too, I think it's just a phase they all go through there way of exploring and learning but I know how stressful it is at this stage as like you say you literally can not leave them alone for a second. The other day she climbed on the sofa just as I nipped in the kitchen and must have leaned over and fell off the other side, luckily she didn't do any serious harm but she cried and hasn't done it since so I'm guessing she's learnt from it as harsh as it sounds it's the only way sometimes! My daughter loves putting things in her mouth which completely freaks me out as I have a huge phobia of chocking! I don't have any advice but just know your not the only one going through this and hopefully they move on from this stage soon and on to the next one! X

Shoemum · 10/07/2019 17:37

I agree with the use of baby reins, my 3.5yo is a bolter with no road sense so I've recently put her in them.

I know they are a controversial subject but reins certainly help :-)

SmartPlay · 15/07/2019 20:27

If he needs to climb and run, then he needs to climb and run. You can't stop him doing that, but you can direct him to do it safely - on playgrounds, fields, some possibilities at home depending on the size of your place.

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