Toddler breaking things on purpose

[jewels8]

Feel a bit at my wits end with my 2 year old throwing and breaking things at the minute. In the past few days, he has broke a vase, a candle and today a lamp. Before this he was never really interested in them but I just feel so shameful after speaking to DP who is looking after him today while I work to be told he's broken the lamp. DP was in the kitchen clearing up lunch when it happened, DP had told him they would get ready to go to soft play and he said he wanted to stay at home and then broke the lamp, yesterdays candle was broken while DP's friend popped over.

His occasional throwing toys has been an issue for a little while now, I tell him we do not throw and if he does it again I will put them away which I do follow through on but sometimes he will throw something else. I feel like he does this when he gets a bit bored. Aside from this, he is a lovely sweet boy in general, it only seems to be at home we have issues, he is usually very well behaved when we are out and he does go out every day but obviously we can't be out from morning until night. Always very kind and friendly to other children when we are out. If he sees anyone that's upset/crying he will go over and offer them his toy. He holds your hand an doesn't run off. Follows instructions most of the time and doesn't actually tantrum that often, aside from the throwing I don't find him hard work (neither does my mum who is always singing his praises and looks after him twice a week usually). When he broke the lamp/item yesterday DP said he sat him down on the sofa and told him why we mustn't throw things and that he must stay there until it was cleaned up, he does give you a hug and say sorry but then has been doing it again. He throw the remote twice yesterday and it came apart.

I don't know what's going on with him but I really want to nip this in the bud ASAP but keen to see if anyone has had similar issues and any advice? DP usually works away during the week and DS has alternative childcare but he is still off this week, I wonder if it is just that he isn't used to spending this much solo time with dad when I'm not around and is pushing boundaries but either way I can't let him continue to destroy the house or even worse have him breaking things elsewhere.

Oh how do I forget to mention, food throwing is also a big issue at the minute. He is a very poor eater in general anyway, preferring snacks over meals but over the Christmas period instead of saying he doesn't want it, it ends up on the floor. We have tried ignoring it, giving him little bits at a time, going back to suction bowls and generally watching him like a hawk but sometimes not quite quick enough. His speech is very good and clear, he can communicate with us well.

Just giving this a hopeful bump

He sounds like a typical toddler to me.
Sorry, that isn't very helpful.
But you need eyes in the back of your head with little ones like your son.

They grow out of it.

For food throwing I've found a 'no thank you plate' has worked well. DS was only throwing food he didn't want so giving him a second empty plate means he generally puts it there instead.

We spent ages cleaning up the cottage pie that was splattered all over the floor and ended up on the walls/sofa the other day, I'm still finding bits now. Will try the plate idea.

I don't know what's going on with him at the minute but his behaviour is just quite poor compared to normal. He's also gone from been refusing naps but is absolutely shattered by 4:30/5 therefore that affects his behavior too, it doesn't seem like he's ready to give them up but just simply refuses.

Are you sure DC is being adequately supervised? Accidents happen, my DC broke our TV, but it seems like a lot of accidents.

I don't suspect he isn't being supervised enough at all, his dad is wonderful with him and is very attentive. He gets so much attention from us both. It just happens so quick and sometimes when you're not expecting it, or twice it's happened when DP/I have been out of the room clearing up from lunch/dinner. DP couldn't have been sat any closer to him today while they were having lunch but still managed to throw his sandwhich on the floor within the blink of an eye.

Nursery have mentioned about throwing toys towards the end of the day twice, but they brushed it off as something most toddlers occasionally do but seems to be becoming more common now.

I don't suspect he isn't being supervised enough as his

Normal toddler behaviour, and I find mine is worse when bored. He only just turned 2 and has drawn on my walls, smashed bowls, ripped wallpaper and also throws food.And he’s never unsupervised for more than a moment, such s if I need the toilet or I’m doing dishwasher etc. it’s not for the faint hearted. I try to be quite stern with him with a No l… he sometimes just laughs at me… He’s my 3rd and I can’t remember the others being like this. I try to get up and out when he’s not at nursery, and then he naps around 11.30 even just for maybe half an hour, I try to let him walk instead of pushchair but tantrums are regular.

Sounds completely normal toddler behaviour. Then they turn 3 and turn into Attila the hun. It's just something you have to ride out. I wouldn't have any ornaments or pick upables. I put a fireguard in front of the TV so it couldn't be reached. I gave him all of the lower cupboards in the house filled with random stuff.sort of thing.

The only thing I found that wore them out was walking their legs off.