Don't know what to do with 2 year old

[helpmommyout]

Fed up of my 2 year old to put it frankly. I've never known a child such hard work.
Whether we stay in the house or go out for the day, it's a battle. Everyone comments on his behaviour and 'don't know I cope'. It's embarrassing. He runs off, slams doors, smacks, screams, demands chocolate and sweets all day, doesn't listen to anything I say, cries at everything, whinges all day every day. I am also heavily pregnant so really struggling emotionally. My partner is very helpful but works all week so I dread the days I'm on my own with him. I do work part time which is my only rest bite thank god but soon won't have that as I'll be on mat leave. So worried about my mental health when I have 2. Don't really know what I'm looking for here maybe just some reassurance it won't last forever. 😭

He runs off, slams doors, smacks, screams, demands chocolate and sweets all day, doesn't listen to anything I say, cries at everything, whinges all day every day. ok, so what happens when he demands chocolate and sweets or smacks?

Have a look at Toddler Taming. Your library are likely to have a copy.

Is he getting plenty of exercise each day as well? Little ones like this need to burn off a lot of energy so I'd be looking to get him out walking or at the playground at least twice a day.

It might be worth doing the MChat Test as well, just to see what his risk of ASD is.

@DominicRaabsTravelAgent he goes on the step or sent to bed. We don't give in if that's what your suggesting. Although it is extremely difficult to implement when out and about.

We are always out getting exercise as we have a dog so have to walk her every day and also soft play etc but I am struggling to do as much at the moment as I am heavily pregnant as mentioned...

He doesn't have ASD he's just a typical 2 year old. I didn't really post for advice just for a bit of reassurance I wasn't the only one going crazy lol🤪

You're not the only one going through this I can assure you and from reading these threads today, I am certain we aren't the only ones:) I think mine is having his molars come out and his behaviour for the past few days has just made me question myself what possessed me into having him. His always been uphill and difficult at normal times and for the past few days, I thought about just packing his suitcase and leaving him outside

@biscuitlicker at least were in this together 😂 I've felt the same the past 2 weekends have been awful. Mine also has molars coming through, I can tell as he has been hot and has been gritting his teeth 🤢 and not eating a lot. Day on my own with him today so let's see what it brings... 🤞🏼 He also has never been easy but we do have some good days when he's in a nice mood. 2 is definitely the hardest age so far though.

He's 2 and a very impulsive 2 year old by the sounds of it as well. You're not the only one facing it and he almost certainly WILL get better so hang on in there. I wonder if you should change tact a bit with how you respond to it. Absolutely you shouldn't give in to demands but nor should he be punished for having very real and typical emotions IMHO. It sounds silly but sometimes just wording things to avoid conflict and show them that you're at least trying to understand them is all it takes. Eg if he's screaming eg if he's screaming for sweets 'oh yeh sweets are delicious aren't they. I wish we could have all the sweets in the world. Wouldn't it be fun to live in a big chocolate house made of sweets. Too many sweets can make you poorly though so I think we have to have some healthy food first then after your tea we can pick a treat out' It's basically still saying 'hell no' but it's empathising with why he wants them and rather than saying no which he'll have an automatic 'battle time' response to letting him know what he CAN have. It sounds really corny but I promise it works with my own feisty one I would avoid too much naughty step etc at this age as they simply don't really understand it or have the forward planning to avoid it. With mine we do go for 'a chat' on the step if something is totally unacceptable and we sit there til she's ready to listen to me and rectify what she's done and she gets cuddles to help her regulate if she's lost the plot too. I found a book called 'how to talk so little kids will listen' really helpful. Some of it might be a bit advanced for a 2YO but you should pick up some good tips too. Good luck xx