Is it just me? [toddler tantrums]

[CoffeeMum]

DS [3] has been going through a very, em, challenging phase for the last month or so [though tantrums were by no means unknown before that]. But seriously, the last month has just brought me to my knees and I want to know if it's normal to be so, so tired from it all? Do other parents of toddlers find this?

I am so exhausted at the end of the day, just absolutely spent! Admittedly, i also have a 1 year old, and both are early risers which doesn't help, and we do have alot of other life stuff going on, but really, is it normal to be completely wrung out by your toddlers incessant tantrumming?? It's EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING he does ALL DAY involves a tantrum. And they seem to be in public a hell of a lot which doesn't help

Just wanting a bit of a rant i think!

i dont think its just you who feels like that!
[HUG]

My toddler is just like that too! And it didn't help when I found a booklet on tantrums which said something like 'it is usual for half of toddlers to have 2 tantrums a day.." he has loads..Over every little thing, it is a huge meltdown and I get exhausted trying to predict and avoid tricky situations which might cause it, then dealing with the aftermath! i am having a bit of a breather as he is an nursery but sure will be a major one when I pick him up! I am actaully already psyching myself up for it

i know for us it is harder this week as his older brother is home and can do more stuff / play with toys he finds frustrating, and it is winding him up.

Exactly orange exactly! When they're not having a tantrum, you're psyching yourself up for the next one. DH and I were having a laugh this morning when I accidentally put milk on DS's cereal [he likes to add it himself] and I told DH that i'd had a moment of pure fear at how DS would react! And DH said he felt the same! Not to say either of us are scared of DS of course ...but it's just that sinking feeling that you have spurred him on to ANOTHER tantrum.

Oh, and half of toddlers having two tantrums a day? That sounds like a holiday camp, quite honestly.

I sympthise about the role of siblings too. I think DS is made worse by younger DD, but short of having her adopted, don't see how I can solve that one?! Anyway, her sunny disposition is sometimes the only thing that gets me through...!

Thanks for the support nannyl - it's hard not to feel like you're alone, or making massive parenting mistakes when your child is writhing and screaming on the pavement, as onlookers gape

I have a terror tot atm to she is 18months old and strops like I have never seen before, my elder two are no angels but DD2 Loves to throw herself about in a tantrum. As I type just now she is throwing a lovely tantrum because she does not want to go to sleep, but after all her stropping today I feel I deserve to have a break from it.
Make some 'Me Time' that is what I plan to do for the rest of the night! :)
(So DH is on night patrol!)

My DD1 is now 12.

My mother is a retired HCP.

She says she never came across another child who had as many tantrums as DD did as a toddler.

It was about EVERYTHING - I empathise with the milk thing, she could've tantrummed over which sock went on first in the morning, what cereal, putting the milk on, the "right" size of milk (we had to have a pint of milk in the fridge for her - she called it her wee milk)

At 12 she is still challenging

Totally on the same page. My DS has turned 3 recently and has been the same for the past 4-5 months. Every suggested activity is met with a challenge. Does not obey any instructions, even his displays of affection feel like an assault, ie hugs and cuddles are delivered with force and end up injuring me more often than not. All of the above interspersed with the most angelic smiles and sprinkled with adorable utterances like'Mummy, I love you' or 'Mummy, you are so good' or 'I am so happy!'. Plus he's a poor sleeper and an early riser. And yes I am exhausted. And sometimes, in spite of my firmest resolutions not to, I lose it sometimes and yell at him, and then feel like bursting into tears. And, shamefully, I rejoice everytime I drop him off at nursery.

I am so glad I am not the only one.

My youngest DS will be 3 in May and I am really hoping he turns a corner soon with the tantrums, it must end sometime !?

I have never known tantrums like it either, like many of you say its over any and every little thing.

This morning he was refusing to get dressed and when DH managed to get him into any clothes he just wrenched them back off again. We then tried to leave him to his own devices to calm down but oh no he was not having any of that either. I was in my bedroom putting my socks on and that was wrong too so DS tried to wrench off my socks!!

Its bloody hard work. He is an early riser too and is a nightmare to get to sleep at bedtime as he just gets up and up and up despite what we may try.

I hope some magic corner may turn for us all soon, surely its someone elses turn!

I keep telling myself "Its just a stage, he'll come through the other side soon" but I am giving up hope.