Rough two year old

[Williams0706]

Hello!

I've got a two year old son - and he's a 'typical' little boy in that he's berg boisterous and rough and like a bull in a china shop!

Normally at home I can deal with it utilising a time out method and taking toys away. He's also very considerate deep down and he'll happily and willingly say sorry often without prompting!!

I collected him from nursery today and asked how he had been... well wish I hadn't 🙈 he's been rough today and even pushed a little toddling baby over.

I'm absolutely mortified and I felt as though the nursery worker was holding back a little on how bad he'd actually been, her face gave it away.

Can anyone reassure me this is normal?! And how can I curb it!!

It's totally normal and they just don't understand the effect on someone else they can have. Please don't make it out to be 'boy' behaviour though, girls can and do, have the same phase.

But, to be honest, time out won't mean anything to it. He simply is not cognitively capable at this age of understanding the link between his behaviour and the punishment. Nor does taking a toy away make any sense.

You need to model and keep praising positive behaviours, e.g. cuddling and accept that it is a normal phase

mean anything to him not it. Apologies

Thank you for your reassuring reply! I've been worried about it all 😩 he's my first so have nothing to compare this too - and you're right I should stereotype it as a gender based behaviour. Thanks for the advice 😌

Shouldn't**

It is totally normal behaviour and he will grow out of it soon enough.

Please don't put him in time out or take his toys away he is only 2 and has no idea of consequences

I feel awful now 😣😔

No, that wasn't our intention, we're just trying (well I am) to gently suggest that there are perhaps other ways to work through this phase

DS has moved on (mostly) from pulling our dogs' hair to 'cuddling' them although they're not always as keen as he is. He is 2.3

If he nearer than 2 rather than 3 then it can be normal. They need reminding to calm down when over excited and 2-3 year olds are notorious for being so focused on what interests them that they forget to pay attention to those around them. (Guess who has been at the supermarket and had to avoid pre-schoolers crashing into my trolley)

I marvel at those who manage to have pets and pre-schoolers. They must have eyes in the back of their head making sure that the pets are safe from impulsive little kids.

I do have to pay attention to what DS is doing and where the dogs are but honestly, he and the small one are so lovely and cute with each other now and big one is pretty good at removing herself when she's had enough. I think it's easier now than when I was trying to put a non-moving child down without being trampled/ licked etc