Is my 2 year old normal? Doesn't listen

[Fetacinno81]

My DS has just turned 2 and I feel like he doesn't listen to me and is very much on his own agenda.

He's always attended baby classes and toddler groups since he was born but isn't yet at nursery.

We have tried him at a few more structured classes in the past few months such as football, Mixed sports/games and today gymnastics.

However all the other children in the classes are the same age and can follow rules and my son will not.

Today the children had to do a little warm up of songs and stretching and running but all my son wanted to do was play on the equipment.

I was so embarrassed as he was screaming and running away and crying when I brought back to the middle.

Same thing happened with the other classes. He just wants to do his own thing and doesn't want to listen. When I went to get him back it just became a game to him.

I'm going to persevere with the class in the hope that he will start to copy the other children but it's so stressful and I hate seeing him get so upset and also the disapproving looks from other parents and the class leaders.

Please tell me this is normal at his age?

It’s completely normal (the other children may be nearly 3 or have been in nursery). Classes for 2 year olds is bloody ridiculous, I’d give up with them entirely and take him to places he can run around and explore. National trust places are excellent for this (and a family membership is less than £12 a month so probably cheaper than the classes!). Those classes are more for the parents than kids, kids need to be allowed to play in a unstructured, free way. Nursery and reception years are all about learning to be in a classroom and follow instructions.