Does it get easier to parent a toddler?

[user01082312345]

I have a two year old son who for the most part is relatively easy, although it is starting to become increasingly difficult to persuade him to do things like go in the bath, come out of the bath, get dressed/undressed etc. And I'm beginning to dread going places with him such as the park, because he always throws the biggest tantrum when it's time to leave and it's like a wrestling match trying to get him back in the car seat! I don't have much experience with young kids, and I was wondering if you found the toddler years get easier once they turn three/four?

I have a 3 year old...like 2 year old just bigger tantrums 🤣
On the other hand I find it easier now as she is better at communicating her needs and just generally more able. We can go for walks, to the climbing wall etc.

The book how to talk so little kids listen I found really helpful in terms of strategies to basically get them to do what you want without a struggle or tears. Ultimately we found making whatever the thing is fun and giving them control over the thing in the form of choices worked best. Also managing transitions ie. We need to leave in 5 mins, we need to leave in 1 minute, ok we need to go shall we have a race to the buggy or roar like lions to the buggy. It's hard work but much better than a struggle to do everything and the resulting feeling like an awful Mum when there's lots of tears.

It tends to be opposite, if you find 2 year olds easy then 4 is hell, if you find 2 year olds hellish then 4 is a dream.

No idea if that's down to parent personality or child!

I like the book How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen.

As PPs say, it varies! We are at the same stage as you with DS. He's become incredibly headstrong as he hit 2.5. Our DD was the same except she was working from a much lower baseline of trickiness so her version of headstrong was a lot easier to deal with. I definitely recommend the book How to Talk as suggested above- it really helped me.

Unfortunately with her we found 3 to be harder than 2. But I'm hoping with DS we're getting out all the strops now and preparing for a blissful 3yo.

What I will say though is that when DD turned 4 we saw a real change in her ability to emotionally regulate and generally take life in her stride, and that's only continued (she's now nearly 6). So for us it was a turning point. (Of course another poster will be along soon to pronounce the fucking fours the Worst Age Ever.)

Kids eh. You just don't know what you're going to get...Good luck!

My DS is almost 3.5 and my goodness the last few months have been so challenging! No to everything. Shouting. Screaming. Everything is a battle and its bloody exhausting! good luck.