Raising a 2 YO is quite a lot of work isn't it?

[Ozziegirly]

My DS is nearly 2, and although he's always been quite headstrong and firey as a child, this phase is quite hard.

I feel like I'm having to be "on" all the time to make sure he is learning the "right" things, like manners, no pushing, biting, keep trying at things, I can understand your frustration over not being able to do stuff etc. Plus he is like a sponge for information and wants to be constantly chatted to, played with, have stuff pointed out (all which is nice of course!)

Sometimes, like yesterday, he is an angel child - lovely walk in the park and fed the ducks, trip to the shops where he was helpful, funny, just great.

Then on Wednesday he bit another child who took his toy. Today he had a huge shuddering sobby meltdown in the park when a girl pushed him over, and everything is still "NO" whether he wants it or not.

No real point to this post other than hoping that at some point in the future I can kind of relax a bit, whereas at the moment it all feels a bit like lots and lots of work.....

Plus I am 5 months pregnant and just do not know how he is going to cope with having my attention elsewhere as at the moment he will only play by himself for about 5 minutes, before it's "mummy, sit there, play cars".

Anyone else feel like this?

So nice to read all these posts and realise that we're all in it together!

Yes, I agree with THE MESS that one child can generate. DS's current fave home activity is playdough with sequins (I know) which basically means press sequins into playdough and then sprinkle sequins on the floor.....

He doesn't go to nursery, but will start pre-school at about 3 - and he won't go to school for AGES yet - he starts when he's 5 1/2 over here (Aus) so years away yet - by that time I'll have another small one to deal with!

We do go out every day, and that is a saviour - it's also midwinter here so the garden is a bit overgrown but in the summer we have plans for a sandpit, trampoline, maybe a slide as well. He's a very very active little boy, which is great but I am getting a lot of "mummy, run! Mummy chase" but I have killer sciatica at the moment with the pregnancy so there's only so much running I can do.

But then he does really lovely cute things like last night made up an ultra cute "pointy" dance to the Beach Boys, called honeycomb "comeyhome", and went round the park this morning, declaring each tree either "smooth" or "bumpy". I think i need to focus on the good stuff more!

It's been really great reading these messages though, so nice to know that we're not alone.

Yes some sleep would be lovely. Dd has slept through the night less than 10 times EVER and recently has become a real pain about bed time. It's horrific.
She is very verbal but has complete melt downs if given milk too hot or too cold or what ever.

AND still demands BOOIOBIIEEEEEES at full volume even though I've not fed her in ages. It's like she knows That when the baby comes I will have milk again. I. Am. Not. Tandem. Feeding.

Bertie and AnotherName, thanks for the scooter/bike suggestions. We've got a scooter, but DS is only just starting to be able to scoot himself on it. I would love a bike, but I don't think the budget will allow one till Christmas unfortunately.

Swimming is good and he loves it - it just takes a lot of organisation to get there & back before naptime! Must go more often now our lessons have stopped for the summer.

I'm lucky that DS is generally a really easy child who's happy pottering around the house helping me, and doesn't have destructive tendencies. I'm 6 months pg with number 2 (another boy) and slightly apprehensive of what it will be like with a second who will probably be more 'normal'.

Haha! I know the feeling! I'm not pregnant but sometimes I think "how would I ever manage with a normal child??" as DS might roam but would never go out of sight, is fairly happy to follow instructions, join in household activities etc.

Hi I have a 2 and a bit year old ds and a 3 month old ds. I was really worried before ds2 came along as ds1 is v clingy and demanding, can't play on his own for more than 1 minute, terrible sleeper and very very talkative so I wondered how I would ever get no2 to sleep. However ds2 Is a dream, sleeps great and ds1 is sO good with him, no jealousy at all, wants to see his baby brother all the time and can even be entertainedby him instead if me while a make a coffee etc. the best thing ever is my ergo sling tho, can put it on by myself in seconds and baby can sleep in it while we walk and play etc. it's tough at times but way better than I thought. Must agree tho 2 yr old can be tough, one day he is an angel next a fiend. I finds trying to make sure he has had enough sleep, not easy, and feeding him little and often really helps. Mine has no interest in tv at all but loves books and loves my iPhone. I let him have a bottle still and when I need some quiet we all go to his bed with a bottle and book and I feed the baby. Works good. We spend a lot of time outside but he only enjoys it if we go at his pace, looking under every stone etc. Lastly just discovered playmobil which gives us a tiny bit of peace too.