Nightmare toddler!

[xxBluebellxx]

Hi guys, thought i would ask for a little advice about my 2 year old. She has always been a great baby but seems to have hit the terrible twos and cries all day everyday. I was very lucky with my other two children and i never had any issues with them so i dont feel ive had any experiance with a more demanding child.
From the minute she wakes up she is crying, she will cry at everything, if i try and sooth her or distract her she will throw herself on the floor, bang her head and scream. I have tried changing all her toys to see if perhaps she was bored and needed more stimulation but she's not really interested. I cant get out with her for long in her buggy as she screams and constantly tries to climb out, i struggle to have her walking beside me as she wont walk on reins (she just lays on the floor and cries) but she wont hold my hand either and always tries to run away and if i stop her i get another tantrum.
Its getting to the point now where i avoid going out or going to visit my freinds as she is so difficult. My freinds are sympathetic but i feel as though im a total burden on them if we want to go for a cup of tea or lunch as she will not sit and just screams the whole time. Im on my own with her so im finding it so difficult. She has been to the doctor and she seems fine, ive tried doing different things to keep her occupied and give her new toys and try and play with her. Although i put her down to bed at 7 she never goes sleep before 11 and is up from 7.
Feel like im at my wits end, i dont know wither i should discipline her or what to try. Ive always used the time out method with my children but i dont know if she would understand this.
Anyone have any tips for me, i am struggling so badly with this. xxxx

Hi there. I'm a novice with very little people so I'm not sure how helpful I can be. However, my DS (turned 2 yesterday!) can be very like you describe your DD.

I find what helps him is lots of exercise. We call it 'free range chicken' time . I take him to places that are as safe as possible where I wont have to direct him too much or expect anything of him for at least an hour every day. I use the local woods (which are big so we can get a long way from the road) in all weathers with appropriate clothing. We also go to the 'playgym' sessions at the local gymnastics club. I basically treat him like my dogs, a tired dog is a good dog! I find swimming wears him out too, although it's not as good for being 'child initiated'.

If he gets enough 'free range chicken' time every day he is more amenable in all the other situations he has to be in (like sitting in the trolley in the supermarket) and sleeps better.

OP, how much sleep does your DD get during the day? It sounds as though she's massively overtired with only 8 hours sleep a night. Most 2yos sleep for a couple of hours during the day and 11 hours at night. If she's overtired that may also be why it takes her so long to fall asleep. New/different toys is rarely the answer.

My first thought was over tired too.

Also for the walking when out and about little life backpacks are good as you can put the strap over your arm and then hold hands like normal with the backpack an extra safety bit if they try to dart

I have a two year old as well and they can certainly be difficult! Definitely agree with the post about exercise and sleep - they are both crucial. 8 hours isnt enough. I take my daughter on long walks without the buggy which she loves, we look for sticks, climb trees (sort of!) and play hide and seek. Sometimes I just take her to a field with a ball and we run around for ages. Weather is irrelevant. She will def sleep better and probably behave better. I notice a change in my daughter if she has been cooped up too long at home - she starts misbehaving and whinging a lot more. Just one more thing - what routine does she have? Terrible twos made me have to make some tweaks to dd routine which also helped. Good luck!