terrible twos??

[minkybetty]

Help - my DD who is usually so happy, smiley, gentle, laughy has suddenly (in the last 2-3weeks) changed and become another child. She says "no" or "i don't like it" or crys and screams, arches her back or throws herself on the ground when asked to do anything she doesn't want to, particularly getting dressed, putting shoes and socks on, going out, going downstairs to bed (actually ok once shes in), taking a bath, cutting nails or just whenever she is being taken away from anything that she is enjoying (which obviously sometimes has to happen). I try to pick my battles and usually end up getting the result in the end but it has become so difficult and takes so long to do anything and I am not totally sure how best to handle the tantrums. I don't raise my voice and I don't want to be a mummy who shouts and sticks her on a naughty step all the time - any suggestions of how to deal with this is a firm and loving way???

I'm going through the exact same thing with my ds at the moment. His favourite phrase is "i wont". He screams and bangs his head off things. A couple of months ago it become really distressing. Because he will not listen, as long as he's safe, I ignore him until he calms down. It doesn't always work. If he's done wrong he always wants a cuddle, but I dont until he's calmed down, then he can have one.
I have recently started a reward chart, which is helping. He has 4 things to achieve a day and he loves trying to get them. It means we focus more on the good behaviour as well. Don't know if this will work for you?
All tips would be most welcome for me too!

how did you explain the reward chart to him?

Try a five- minute warning before you interrupt an activity.

So: "In five minutes we are going to have to go to the shops so do one last drawing now."

Then: "Oooh we are going to the shops now, do you think we'll see a cat? Shall we see who's the first one to see a daffodil?

Etc and on and on until you think you are going mad.

Getting dressed:
" Do you want the blue trousers or the red ones? Can you get dressed before I count to twenty?

Tantrums:

"Right I need you to get in the buggy. I am going to count to twenty and you can either get in yourself or I will put you in."

DD2 is 2.4 and going through the tantrum stage. Just grit your teeth and choose your battles.The rest is compromise - it can go a long way.

great thanks - I am going to put some of those into practice today....