Toddler behaviour!

[Francescarose]

I'm wondering whether my 2.5y/o DS's behaviour is normal and how I can improve things... Any thoughts appreciated!

I just don't know how much of this is normal toddler stuff. He can be so strong willed! For example we come home from nursery and I ask him to take his shoes off ( which he does in two seconds flat when we get to soft play so is def. capable.) He says no, runs off etc. I eventually get him to do it but often have to mention naughty corner etc. Then tantrums when has to stop playing for snack. Tantrums when has to stop eating as he's 'still hungry' despite having eaten like a horse. We go up to bath and he refuses to open his mouth for teeth brushing. Then often fights being put on the loo ( is out of nappies) and when we try to wash his hands goes floppy at the knees and won't stand up. Then cries at having to go in the bath. Is finally happy when we are in his room reading bedtime story. Goes to sleep easily.

Is this level of battling over normal routine things normal?!

Thanks!

yes, sorry, very normal. My DC at this age would be a nightmare when you had to change activity. Tantrum going upstairs for bath, tantrum getting out of the bath, tantrum getting into pyjamas. Basically at it's worst everytime they had to change activity a tantrum ensued. All you can do is be firm and wait it out!

Yep. Normal. DS1 was freakishly well behaved and so DS2 is a bit of a shock (2.6)!
He throws food on the floor every mealtime, runs away if we try to put coat/shoes on, is totally unreliable with roads etc!! However, he is hilarious, the life and soul and very happy.
It will stop soon!

Yes sounds pretty normal to me.
They're fussy, stubborn, frustrated sometimes all at the same time!
If DS, who is completely different to what his sister was like as a toddler, doesn't want to do something I usually try find a way of making it exciting a race for example. Or just think is it absolutely essential that he does everything at the time you ask?

Yes very normal! I well remember all that fighting over opening mouth for teeth brushing and buckling at the knees. I'm afraid I can't remember when that phase passed but you'll be glad to know that ds is now a (reasonably) well-behaved 4yo who rarely plays up with the bedtime routine and all the things you've described. It happens on occasion but only when he's really tired!