Selective tantrums

[WinkyWinkola]

DS is 26 months. When he is with just me or just DH, he seems to be fine most of the time. Obviously he has his moments.

But when the two of us are there like at the weekend, he is most contrary, furious, tantrum filled child I have ever seen. What is going on? Is he manipulative (I like to think not) and play one parent off against the other? Does anyone else have experience of this?

I just ignore his tantrums and leave him to it. Is this the best thing to do?

Ignore him as long as he's in a safe place.
He's not manipulating you - more likely he's tired after the week, or trying to get attention.
Like every other 2 year old!

Please tell me it will pass? He's such a stroppy kid and always howling. It adds total stress to the times we actually get to be together as a family.

It does pass. Probably a combination of tiredness/change from weekday routine/not having your full attention. As long as the tantrums never achieve anything positive for him, I mean he never benefits in any way from having had a strop, they will pass - just make sure he's safe. I really feel for you - it is exhausting and in my case (DS3 - the others never really tantrummed) became all I could think about for months.

When he is with you or DH alone he gets your undivided attention. Suddenly that is taken away at the weekends when you and DH want to give time to each other. It's understandable that he'd react to that. I remember that phase though and it can be so annoying. We'd plan little outings, just the 3 of us, and it would end up a disaster.