When does having a difficult toddler get better? Feeling down.

[Londonlady92]

My DD is my second child, she was a lovely happy baby and a joy to be around up until she turned 18 months and everything changed, if she's not screaming and tantruming about something she's non stop whining at my feet.

She refuses food I make, she wakes up in the night, she doesn't let me talk to adults without screaming "no taking" its humiliating I have no life i avoid play dates yet with my eldest at this age we were constantly with play mates or toddler groups because he was just happy to be there.

When will it get easier? Every day is hard I just need light at the end of the tunnel.

Just to add I'm sending her nursery for 2 mornings in September but also dreading how she will be for them

How old is she now OP? How long has this been going on for? Sounds so tough x

Have you checked in with the Health Visitor. To check nothing else is amiss? If not and it's the 'Terrible Twos' hitting early, I reccomend the book 'Toddler Taming'. Practical tips to enforce boundaries when they're little. I had to remove toddler DS from many days out/playdates/family events as he was similar. I did the naughty step/time out and anything else the book suggested. He was certainly 'spirited'.

I think she may be easier as she develops more understanding of boundaries and language. Nursery will have seen it all before and she'll probably end up being as good as gold for them. Find some time out for you and real life support too.

Sorry shes 2 years 9 months now and been pretty terrible since 18 months so its been tough especially with lockdown.

I think I'll try the book suggestion, she just doesn't care if I tell her off firmly or put her on the naughty step, it always worked with my son so I feel lost.

I can really recommend the book "how to talk so little kids will listen". It's really excellent and the suggestions work beautifully with my 2 year old. If you prefer listening, I can recommend Janet Lansbury's unruffled podcast. Both calm, kind and understanding of normal development.

I've never done the naughty step. I think it can make things worse. I get down to their level and calmly explain what they were doing was not appropriate. If I'm consistent it works well,.obviously there are times when it doesnt but slowly the outcomes get better. Distraction is also important at that age. I don't think you can expect to sit and talk to adults if your DD has nothing to do - I always seem to have to drag round a bag full of distraction toys

I'm always at her level trying to calm her but it usually ends with her hitting me in the face. Its just soul destroying I feel like I've failed second time around when really I've not done anything different

They have no impulse control at this age- slapping, hitting, biting etc are an expression of big feelings and it's very normal. It's no reflection of your parenting at all and you certainly haven't failed!

@FleasAndKeef

They have no impulse control at this age- slapping, hitting, biting etc are an expression of big feelings and it's very normal. It's no reflection of your parenting at all and you certainly haven't failed!

Thanks @FleasAndKeef I know this deep down i think its just hard when it wears you down everyday.

X

Distraction toys! Forgot about the importance of those. Little sticker books and Aquadraw kept mine sat still for a while.

I have ordered both books recommended.

Hope it changes things I've spent most the morning in tears