Terrible two's experiences!

[Flynn2019]

Would love to know everyone's experiences with the 'terrible two' s'. When did their LO go through it and the behaviours they displayed?

I have a 17 month old (my first) and he has only just started to become really frustrated and have tantrums. Not sure if they even go through it early, just wanted to see what everyone else's experiences look like! X

DS1 was lovely until he turned 3, then he turned into a raging ball of unreasonableness for two years!

But honestly I think you can go a long way with compassion and keeping things clear and predictable for them. Janet Lansbury's podcast and blog is great and so is a book called How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen.

I remember thinking DD1 was unlikely to go through a tantrummy phase, because she was freakishly articulate for that age and could name emotions etc and say what she wanted very clearly. However approaching two, they happened and it was easy to see it was not all about words and being understood- it was these huge emotions that overwhelmed her, and she just did not yet have the skills to deal with them. I agree with pp’s point about compassion - at these times they need connection, understanding - clear containment and boundaries so they know what is/isn’t ok - but your love and support to navigate their rage, frustration, sadness etc.

Ps my 23mo old has been having wee tantrums for a while, and often these are similar but she can get so frustrated at not being understood, her speech is much slower. The tantrums get more complex as they get older and become less approaching 5 as Bertie says.