Is this normal toddler behavior?

[Bunnieboo222]

Hello, my dd will be 2 in a couple of weeks and I would really appreciate some advice regarding her behavior.

So today I took dd to a play group she was pretty good apart from when she couldn’t do certain things as it was rainy wet day. Anyway at the towards the end of the play group everyone gets in a circle and sings nursery rhymes etc, dd was taking part at first and then she started to get the toys out and running from the circle and going for other toys. I tried encouraging her to come back she wasn’t listening, so I tried carrying her back but she was wriggling about and then she started to headbut the floor and scream the place down. I just took dd out and went back home. I know other mums was staring at me and probably judging me and I just feel so upset and the worse mum in the world

Sounds like she just got a bit bored / tired towards the end of the session and was looking for mischief! My DS is identical in age, and although he hasn't head butted the floor before, all the rest sounds like him on occasion. You kept her from hurting herself, and removed her so she didn't disturb the rest of the session. The other mums won't have thought anything of it. Welcome to the very nearly terrible twos....

In my experience, yes! I've cried on the way home from more than one play group because ds just wouldn't join in with the story and songs at the end. Often he just ran about like a wild animal when everyone else's children sat nicely and joined in. He's getting better now (I think starting nursery helped) - but you're not alone!

He also did the head butting thing when upset or frustrated. Really horrible to see - but he never really hurt himself and he's mostly stopped doing it.

Err yes sounds completely normal! I had to take DD off the swing the other week as there was a queue of other kids waiting to go on it. She had an absolute meltdown and attacked me like a small cat as I carried her away! God knows what the other parents must have thought!

Toddlers are beginning to grow their own personalities. They don't like being told / forced to do something they don't want to. I usually try to get down to DD's level and reason with her - it does help. But sometimes I just have to scoop her up and deal with the consequences / injuries! ;o)

Nobody was judging you. You took her home. Correct thing to do. They were probably looking in sympathy (and if they were judging you can have a little laugh at them for when they get their comeuppance, which they 100% will if they have small children!).

Terrible twos? Sounds normal

Yes normal! I have a very active 2 year old, nonE of the baby groups were a fit for her (I stared at every other child bewildered by how zoned out and calm they were). Soft play or park for us it is- burn the energy

I would say people weren't judging. It's natural to watch a commotion. But they were probably just thinking poor you, glad it's not my toddlers turn today. You responded appropriately. Some toddlers enjoy sitting and singing. Some toddlers enjoy running and playing. Both are fine.

Yep, that's normal.

It's horrible though isn't it? You feel like everyone else's babies are doing it right everyone is judging you, I remember that feeling well.

A few years down the line you'll realise that we all have those days when our kids are being little shits.
Sometimes they can be little angels though and other mums will be wondering what your secret is!

My kid is the same age. Too young to understand social niceties. He doesn’t appreciate that he’s supposed to sit in the circle with everyone else even if he doesn’t want to. I tried forcing him but like your DD he screamed. In the end I thought “I’m paying for this so why am I making him do something he doesn’t want to?” So now if he wants to go and play I just let him. He has plenty of stories at home, I guess he doesn’t want to sit and listen when there are fun things to play with.

Yes, we had the full on head butting

It was so sad to see

I’m glad to say he’s 2.5 now and I can’t remember the last time he did that (he still has tantrums if he doesn’t get his own way)

It’s a short phase