Struggling to like 2 year old. Depression again or normal?

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NC as I feel terrible about this.
Had awful PND in early days and struggled to bond with my baby. Things were a lot better but he's recently been going through a really bratty, kicking, screaming toddler phase, particularly with me. Everything is a battle, and a really violent one, even when I tell him over and over no biting/kicking etc.
I'm at my wit's end. And now I've found myself starting to really dislike him and having the old depression-type guilt and worry again about not loving him enough.
Have other people felt like this with toddlers? I can't tell if it's me or him or both of us, but I'm really struggling. Advice much appreciated

Hopeful bump

I didn't get this at 2, but I did at 3, and then massively at 5. Looking back it was dependent on her own behaviour/moods. It can be you and your own mental health, it can be a response to them. Either way it isn't their fault and not within their control. A GP visit might help.

2 is a stressful age for a lot of kids though. A desperate desire for autonomy but no ability to achieve it, so they lash out. Is there anything you can let him feel control over, however illusory? Closed choices for things? Ask him his opinions on things?

I pulled mine out of school when she'd just turned 5 and reduced the demands on her to virtually zero - only a fixed bedtime and no hurting anyone. I liked her again in less than a week as she improved. I wish I'd done it at nursery when she was 3.

Thanks for your response. I think it probably is my problem rather than his, so maybe a trip to the GP might be the best thing.

Depression can be situational (or at least worsened or triggered by circumstances) which might give you hope for the future?

Good luck! It's one of the biggest taboos out there, a mum saying she doesn't love/like her child. I understand that - it would be emotionally crippling for the child to find out! But it is still true for a lot of us, if only occasionally.