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Original poster

Is it normal for your toddler to drive you crackers?!

78 replies

teacher54321 · 30/12/2014 22:06

I have one ds, and all the usual disclaimers, he's gorgeous and bright and affectionate etc and doing really well. Doesn't whinge much, has occasional short lived tantrums so I certainly don't think he's any worse than any toddlers but don't know if my reaction is normal!

The sheer intensity of parenthood is Absolutely overwhelming for me, the fact that you are never off duty and dealing with general toddler irritations (running off at bathtime, not wanting to get dressed etc) all trivial in themselves but sometimes I just feel so cross Hmm which makes me sad. I don't want to be shouty mummy. But it's just so frustrating! Do other people feel like this too?!

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Scaredycat666 · 31/12/2014 07:30

Thank god for this thread.
We call DS (2yo) The Little Despot (TLD - even my mum uses it). This week it's been food refusal - only 'CAKEY' will pass his lips (last week it was oranges too, now they are, apparently, poison). Only one you tube video is acceptable - it's a 2 minute clip of a helicopter taking off in Australia (!) and Postman Pat will do.

I've come to realise that: Marie Antionette was right and that Postman Pat is the WORST postman ever, it makes me angry that he's not got the sack and that everyone thinks he's brilliant. I also realise that I'm starting to take it too seriously.

I can't wait for nursery on Monday
(Obviously, all of this is wiped out when he smiles and kisses me. Best child ever!)

peasandlove · 31/12/2014 07:33

yes. I once hid in a wardrobe to get away from my toddler for a few mins before I lost the plot. My friend thought it was hilarious when I told her.

ThursdayLast · 31/12/2014 07:38

Oh Lordy mine is only 20months.

I don't stand a chance.

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Original poster
teacher54321 · 31/12/2014 07:38

Currently the only thing guaranteed to get a me a minute of peace is threatening to get the potty out. Thank god dh is off for the next few days so it's not just me dealing with the dictator.

OP posts:
whyhasmyheadgonenumb · 31/12/2014 08:02

Mine are 2 & 3 - what was I thinking!! DD refuses to get dressed so DS won't either, DD screams when I brush her hair so DS does too. 2 people popped round unannounced yesterday, we were in our PJs still at 12.30 and the house was like a bomb had hit it, I was hiding in the utility room.
If I have to watch frozen one more time............

whyhasmyheadgonenumb · 31/12/2014 08:05

It's not all bad though, their dad has them every Saturday night so I do get 24 hours to recharge - Monday morning I'm invincible, Friday night I'm onto knees!! Thank god for work, that's the only time I get a break. They get in the shower with me, the bed, they have to help me wash up and I can't have a cup of tea without them wanting a sip with their snotty noses. Toddlers are disgusting.

Cheesymonster · 31/12/2014 08:20

My DD is 2.2 and she tries to wipe my bottom whenever I'm on the loo.

She will only ever watch one film/TV programme to the point of obsession and I have to guess what it is, everything I try sends her into a rage. Last week it was jungle book, this week bubble guppies.

And she want food constantly. And I mean one thing after another.

ThreeFrazzledFandangos · 31/12/2014 08:23

Yep "full on" doesn't even come close to covering it does it?

Even hiding in the wardrobe doesn't work here. Hiding is DS' favourite game and he just climbs in with you!

He's currently bouncing on the bed singing let it go. We've never even seen frozen, I can only assume it's from "dancing" at nursery.

ThreeFrazzledFandangos · 31/12/2014 08:36

He's also wearing a pirate eye patch and no pants. Reasons are unclear.

Narrowdog · 31/12/2014 08:47

I could've written your post, OP! Thanks so much to other posters, we are not alone... Currently figuring out what to do with DS (2.6) this morning to knacker him out. we did the long walk yesterday, all good until he wanted carried, but then didn't want carried, then wanted carried...

Pipbin · 31/12/2014 08:54

I shouldn't have read this thread. I'm pg with number 1.
Is it too late to change my mind?

Original poster
teacher54321 · 31/12/2014 08:57

Don't worry pipbin, it'll be fine! Wink

I have to say though I look at my friends with two children, especially those with small age gaps and remain convinced that lovely ds will be an only... The thought of trying to deal with ds whilst being pregnant or looking after a new born fills me with utter heebie jeebies!

OP posts:
Roonerspism · 31/12/2014 09:00

Yes. Even the loveliest toddler.

I sometimes hide in the bathroom....

MrsBungle · 31/12/2014 09:14

My 2 and a half year old is driving me round the bend. I've found it quite shocking as my dc1's toddler years passed with one tantrum. Oh how I was smug. I'm clearly a great parent I thought.
Then ds came. Yesterday's major tantrum was because I refused to let him come to ikea dressed in only his jumper, pants, princess high heels and cycling helmet. I'm so unreasonable.

whyhasmyheadgonenumb · 31/12/2014 09:18

I'm the same mrs bungle, my DD is a very laid back child and although she's still only 3.5 she never tantrums and can be distracted easily, DS is just 2 and is constantly tantrumming, sometimes I have to ask my DD to calm him down because I cannot understand what his problem is, thankfully he adores DD and they have a cuddle and everything is ok - she's a better mom to him than me!!!

letsgetreadytoramble · 31/12/2014 09:27

Pipbin, I can honestly say that no-one has ever made me as happy and made me laugh so much as my toddler either. The baby years can be a bit of a slog sometimes, but when they start getting their own little (despot) personality, it's a real joy. Just clear out a cupboard/hiding place in preparation for the more intense moments... :0)

Original poster
teacher54321 · 31/12/2014 09:31

Mine is now refusing to eat his breakfast. But also being adorable at the same time. It's a conundrum.

OP posts:
mumteedum · 31/12/2014 09:34

Love this thread. Ringing so true for me. Ds is 3.5. Was a delight at 2, never done naughty step or needed to. He's making up for it now.

He's the ultimate diva. Diana Ross eat your heart out. Not this one, THAT one. I don't like x food, I don't like x toy. I want something REALLY special!!!! Clicking through iPlayer for right episode of octonauts. He wanted manonatrench... Mariana trench I query poised with remote? NOOOOO....MAN ONWARDS TRENCH. Yep same thing obviously mummy's mispronouncing it again!!!

He's with ex until later today. Ex can't handle it at all. Brought him back early last weekend after flurry of texts and calls asking if ds needed to see a psychologist!! "he's fucking mental ". No, he's just 3 and a bit poorly.

mumteedum · 31/12/2014 09:36

Oh and he burst into bathroom when I was mid poo the other day and wanted a bear hug Confused

Cute but....

whyhasmyheadgonenumb · 31/12/2014 09:51

Mumteedum, my ex can't handle mine either, I'm sure he just puts cbeebies on and hides!!

letsgetreadytoramble · 31/12/2014 09:51

I ask my DS (2.6) if he needs a wee or a poo fairly frequently just now as part of an attempt to prepare him for potty training. That this is in fact a hideous mistake was confirmed to me in Tesco the other day when he loudly and relentlessly asked me, with head on one side 'mummy need a poo? Mummy need a poo? Mummy need a pooooooo!!' And that is the reason we came back with two bottles of wine, Hello magazine and a pack of chocolate fingers instead of bananas, milk and chicken.

letsgetreadytoramble · 31/12/2014 09:53

Ps. Teach, you're doing well - between the early morning jigsaw puzzle, the throwing of all the books out of the bookcase, two large poos and a sock meltdown, we haven't even made it downstairs yet.

Notso · 31/12/2014 10:21

Yes just like MrsBungle and whyhasmyheadgonenumb I was lulled into a false sense of security by my older children. I was a good parent. People always commented on my children's impeccable behaviour.
Then I had DC3 and 16 months later DC4.
Now I am that parent you see stomping through the supermarket pushing a grumpy baby in a pram and an inappropriately dressed toddler in full tantrum mode under her arm.
Everything is a battle from waking up to bedtime and through the night. Wrong PJ's, wrong cup, wrong toilet, wrong parent, everything is wrong.
We had to cut short a visit to their poor bemused great grandparents yesterday, because despite them lavishing delicious cakes, biscuits and lovely presents upon them they descended into screaming, punching brats fighting over an empty fat ball bucket.

306235388 · 31/12/2014 12:27

Dd is just 4 and she's been a nightmare since she was about 2.5. Ds was a terrible baby but an adorable toddler / preschooler so this is all a bit of a shock and clearly karma for her sleeping through the night from a few weeks old.

Everything is a battle but the worst thing is clothes - she has the dress sense of a drag queen. Leopard print, faux fur, bright pink, shiny clothes are fantastic. Nice, age appropriate practical clothing are evil and don't ever expect her to wear trousers. She will only wear skirts and tights unless there are no trousers available in which case she must wear trousers and will scream and scream otherwise.

Also, she asks questions and will keep asking the same thing again and again hoping she will get the answer she wants this is because dh relents so a typical conversation will go like this:

Dd 'can I have smarties?'
Me NO
Dd don't say that don't say anything (shouted and with an evil gurn)
Dd daddddyyy please can I have smarties? (Smilingly and head tilted)
Dh errrrrrm well mummy said no
Dd please daddy
Dh well
Dd love you daddy, love you more than mummy (sideways glance)
Dh well...ok then just a few
Me FFS!!!!

flipflopsonfifthavenue · 31/12/2014 12:46

OP I was putting DS2 to "sleep" the other night while DP did DS1s bedtime. DS2 was being an overtired screechy nightmare so I switched with DP for ten minutes. In those ten mins all I succeeded I. Doing was losing my temper at DS1 because he kept leaning against the wall while I tried to do his nappy. Then he cried and I went back to screeching DS2 feeling horrid with myself :((

I totally get how getting angry makes you sad. I feel like that too. They are just being normal toddlers, it's infuriating but I should be more patient :(

But yes, they can be arseholes!! There is a series of funny videos on you tube of adults acting like toddlers. It's pretty funny.