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I’m failing my 2 year old

3 replies

rhu86 · 25/10/2020 21:13

My little one is just over 2 years old. He was always a baby that liked to be held, never napped in a cot etc. We wore him in a sling a lot to manage this and we got through it together. The baby days were easier than now and I would say it has become harder since around 18 months of age. It has now escalated to the point that I fear taking him out on my own. Every day is a constant battle from the moment of waking until going to bed. He fights every nappy change, teeth brushing, getting dressed, getting into his car seat. He lashes out and hits; occasionally bites. He wants our constant attention; despite us playing with him/ engaging with him/ reading to him whenever we can. He will run off given the chance when out and about.
My partner is very supportive but he is also now exhausted. We try to tag team so we both get a little respite. But what should have been an enjoyable family day out today ended up a disaster with tantrum after tantrum over everything and anything. I feel like it is much easier to not go out. Getting him into a buggy/ high chair is a huge battle. Meeting friends is now out the question as his behaviour can be very hard to manage. Everyone else manages so much better than me.

I’ll add that he is very bright and can articulate his needs very well. He can speak very clearly in sentences and has been for some time. He does go to nursery; recently his behaviour has worsened there too and he hasn’t been listening there either.

I don’t really know what I’m posting, but has anyone felt the same? Did it get any easier? I’m exhausted and feel I am failing him. He seems so miserable all the time :(

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 25/10/2020 21:16

I’m very vocal that 1-2yrs old was so bloody hard- way worse than newborn and even the three-nager day have now. So much energy, no much will but little communication. Not much help during these times but I spent loads of time in soft play. My advice is a park every day, savour the naps and know it gets better....oh and to brush teeth the duggee song on YouTube / sometimes just pinning her down.

Enormouscroc · 25/10/2020 21:18

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ as requested by the OP.

sar302 · 25/10/2020 21:38

"Toddlers are twats" seems to be one of the most common text between my friends and I. We are just coming to the end of the terrible twos now thank god. But he did test us. When every day is a battle, it can be incredibly draining, and I can definitely remember thinking "what's the point of doing nice things?" Which were already more stressful anyway because of COVID.
Lockdown with a two year old nearly broke me on several occasions.

Something silly that helped me, was reading the "what has your toddler had a tantrum about today" threads. It helped me realise that it wasn't me, it wasn't him, it's just something that most of them go through at some point. They have huge feelings and haven't the faintest idea what to do with them. And the world is the oddest place to them. Everything is simultaneously wonderful and completely confusing.

With age he really has got better. Now he can tell us how he's feeling - grumpy sad etc - or what he does / doesn't want to do, it's so much better.

Hang in there. It does get better.

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