18 months old and going through the 'terrible two's' already???

[detoxdiva]

Dd is 18mo and has always been a lovely, happy, gorgeous girl.....until now. She has developed the most terrific temper on her almost overnight. Up until this weekend if me or dh stopped her doing something she shouldn't, she'd have a whinge but culd easily be distracted.

Now, she goes full on psycho..screaming, throwing herself on to the floor, refusing to be picked up or consoled, almost to the point of making herself sick. This morning I had to put her into her cot for 5 minutes to stop her hurting herself (or to stop me throwing her out of the window )

Now I'm sure this is a new behaviour that is completely normal - but please give me some advise for staying sane

or avoiding the tantrums altogether!!!

Don't take it personally; remember that you are probably more upset than she is; and hang on in there and stick to your guns. Firm limits will help her no end to control her temper and accept a situation.

Distraction will still work on occasion. I mostly walk away - ignoring the behaviour does wonders for making tantrums stop. Welcome to this most trying time - you are not alone! x

My dc all did this at around this time (hang on, dd is only 14 months so this is coming again??????) it only lasted a little while, defo ignore tantrum (make sure she's safe of course) and don't give in to her, she'll soon learn it's pointless. good luck!

Thanks for your comments - dh have agreed that we'll just leave her on the floor or put her in her cot for 5 mins 'time out' and then go to her and try to calm her down, as while I would like to leave her until she stops, she seems to have the ability to go on and on!

Should we do this or just leave her? What works best for everyone else.

(Of course, this is all based on her throwing a wobbly at home, not sure leaving her on the floor is the best option in the pet food aisle of Sainsbury's!)

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Don't isolate her, because she won't see you ignoring her! My ds gets right in my face when I ignore him, so I say 'I will speak to you when you stop shouting/paddying' and that usually works (tho he is older) if the dc tantrum in the supermarket I still leave them to it, I sometimes hide round the corner and watch them, if they realise I've gone they soon stop shouting!

Very normal for the terribles to start at this age. In fact some parenting expert - possibly the Toddling taming guy but I can't remember - says that the TT's last from 18 months to 2.5 typically.

Good luck....