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2.5 year old behaviour- Normal or something to worry about?

3 replies

AmberM223 · 31/07/2025 18:59

My 2.5 year old DS has always been quite strong willed, could speak at 11m old and picks up things very quickly so is quite independent and has always had a short temper with things.
In the past 2/3 months this has got much worse and his behaviour is consistently each day horrific to deal with. His tantrums are over the top, absolutely screaming in my face till he’s sick - this could be over not being allowed another rice cake / smoothie etc.
He smirks when we tell him off for example say he’s damaged something on purpose or doing something dangerous and genuinely he couldn’t care less when we do tell him off, it’s like water off a ducks back and just gets on with his day. Sometimes he’s like he has no emotion, he will say sorry - but you can quite clearly see he’s not being genuine and doesn’t care.
My partner will get home and he will say ‘oh i have been silly today’ as if it’s something to boast about.

We have tried ignoring behaviours and it doesn’t help, tried talking calmly to him about why he’s doing things, tried telling him off, taking toys away, no screen time (he has limited tv anyway)

Im now wondering if this is normal toddler behaviour as they say and something he will grow out of or if he’s showing signs of something else?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BunnyRuddington · 31/07/2025 21:49

It does sound at the extreme end of what would be normal behaviour.

Does he go to Nursery or any groups and how does he behave there?

It might be worth doing this simple progress checker just to check his understanding Flowers

AmberM223 · 01/08/2025 20:23

@BunnyRuddington yes he does go to nursery 2 mornings per week; they say majority of the time he’s absolutely fine! Quite cheeky but just toddler behaviour really.

He is the same with me, his dad and my mum too so it’s not just a way he acts for one parent

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 01/08/2025 20:49

How did he do on the progress checker?

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