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Behaviour/development

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High Needs Toddler / Worn Out

6 replies

wingingiteveryday · 14/08/2022 21:53

I need some advice/solidarity/success stories about dealing with a really demanding 2 year old (ha, I know!) but she is my third and she's driving me a little bit demented. She is so demanding to the point of being obsessively demanding and it starts the moment she wakes up. She's very loud and uses a shouting/demanding voice for everything (I asked the HV if she should possibly get her hearing checked but but didn't think it was an issue). She will ask for thing after thing. For instance, a biscuit. I will bring the biscuit, then she wants a drink of water, bring that, then she wants some cereal, bring that, then she needs a wee, do that, then she wants to read a book, before the book is even finished she's on to the next thing. I don't believe she even wants all these things but it's a way of constantly having my attention. There is never a lull, she demands all of my attention 24/7 and my other kids are having less and less time with me. Of course they were hard work as 2 year olds too but she's on her own page, this one. She doesn't sleep well and still wakes up anywhere from 3-10 times a night so we're probably both a bit exhausted. She hates the buggy, but won't walk either, she wants to be carried everywhere. She hates the car and don't get me started on our one and only airplane trip. Taking her anywhere is really stressful and I've had to walk round outside with her at family dinners etc because she kicks off. In the past couple of days my neighbour has questioned why she cries all the time and says she can hear her at night, too. This has made me really paranoid because I do try my best to be a really hands on and gentle parent, I don't leave her to cry - but it's not enough. I don't know what else I can do? Any advice?

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 15/08/2022 06:41

That does sound really tough OP abc I can't understand the HV refusing a Hearing Test.

Hopefully someone will be along soon with some help.

AJandCece · 15/12/2022 18:07

@wingingiteveryday Hello, how are you getting on lovely- happy to hear if its just a rant!

wingingiteveryday · 15/12/2022 19:35

No change really.
I stopped breastfeeding so she now sleeps a bit better and she's also started nursery so I am at least getting some respite but she's still super hard work. I guess it's just her personality. Thanks for checking in Grin

OP posts:
LouMorg · 21/02/2023 12:06

Hey, I know this is a few months old now but I’ve only just come across your post. How are things? I have a toddler exactly the same as you’ve described. It’s extremely exhausting and know one seems to understand exactly how hard it is. Everyone seems to have much easier children and it’s really wearing me down 😔. Have things improved at all?

mthrofflwr · 21/02/2023 16:19

@wwingingiteveryday my kiddo is exactly same ...ur girl is talking ..in my story my boy is still not talking and saying his needs ....going to restaurants or any journeys really hard ... it's really hard to handle him ...my boy also constantly wants one after another...he doesn't want to play alone he needs me everywhere ...how is ur baby now ????

wingingiteveryday · 23/02/2023 07:13

I noticed I had a couple of new replies on this so I just wanted to come back and update. Things are improving all the time, gradually. At some point over the past few weeks we have turned a corner from 'every day is an endurance test' to 'actually you're quite funny and I enjoy your company'. She's still highly strung and demanding but reading my original post now makes me realise how many changes have happened. In the interim I have stopped breastfeeding which I believe has improved our relationship as we can spend time together doing other things now without the constant boob obsession. She now sleeps through the night (compared to 10+ times waking), she has also started nursery in the mornings and I have returned to the office one day a week. We are having some time apart and nursery is helping with her independence, her speech is developing all the time and I think it's just a combination of all those things plus naturally maturing a bit as she gets older. I can now explain things to her like 'I am just going to load the washing machine and then we can do your puzzle'. I took her out on the weekend by myself including public transport, crowds etc. and we had an nice time. Hang in there!!

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