2.5yo going through an ‘I want’ phase and it’s driving me to distraction.

[Bounty9]

Is this normal? Just shy of 2.5yo DD, her language is quite good but not advanced however she says ‘I want’ about 30 thousand times a day. ‘I want a yoghurt, I want lunch, I want my toys down’. But in shops is the WORST. ‘I want a book, I want a toy, I want a chocolate’.

Firstly every single time she says a sentence like this I tell her she needs to ask again using her manners and it’s always followed up with ‘I want a yoghurt please’. Sometimes she will do it without being prompted but 90% of time needs reminding.

Secondly I lost the plot the other day, I let her choose 3 toys in the works as it was 3 for £15 as she had been really well behaved that morning and I said ok let’s go pay… cue the ‘No, I want a book’ except this time she didn’t put it down. So I said if you don’t put it down I’m going to put all these toys back, and she didn’t so I put them all back and carried a screaming toddler back to the car.

Was I wrong there? Is this normal? I’m getting really fed up with it, she sounds like bloody veruca salt from Charlie and the chocolate factory! Feel like I’m failing a bit. She’s my first and only, and I am trying so hard to raise her to be polite.

Well done OP! You clearly explained the consequences, gave a warning and followed through. She will thank you for it one day.

Thank you @Workingthroughit it was really bloody embarrassing but it had to be done 😂

She's 2.5. It comes with the territory. I think you did a good job with the consequences for her playing up and not putting the book down, but I'd try to chill out about it in general. For instance, cut her a bit of slack with forgetting to say please. I'm not saying don't remind her, but don't get annoyed that she needs the reminder 90% of the time. She's still so little and is still learning basically everything about the world!
When mine was that age she entered into the 'why' phase which is a whole different kettle of irritating fish, but you've just got to ride it out!

I bet. But it would be way mire embarrassing if she didn’t learn and was still being bratty at 5/6 (when she is too big to manhandle out!). Nip it in the bud quickly, as you did! Well done!

Why in god's name do you let a 2 5 yo choose like that. Be the parent.
Yes "I want' us 100% normal.

@MumChp I don’t understand what you mean? It was 3 cheap toys that I let her pick as a treat for being good.

"Secondly I lost the plot the other day, I let her choose 3 toys in the works as it was 3 for £15 as she had been really well behaved that morning and I said ok let’s go pay… cue the ‘No, I want a book’ except this time she didn’t put it down. So I said if you don’t put it down I’m going to put all these toys back, and she didn’t so I put them all back and carried a screaming toddler back to the car.".

You asked way too much of a 2.5 yo

It’s good to have consequences but remember she’s only 2.5. If it were me in that situation I would have tried to distract her from the book first rather than putting the toys back straight away. Getting into a power struggle with them isn’t good.

Sometimes you do need to just pick them up and remove them from the situation though. Remember if she’s tired , hungry or bored all these things will affect her.

I want is normal. Again only 2.5 but good you are teaching her to say please

@MumChp maybe.. I honestly don’t have any experience with them, so just trying my best.

She won't remember anyway.

Yes it’s normal, stop complaining. I long to hear my 3 year old say this and have ‘wants’, and to want me to be part of that. Sorry not sorry.

Must remember not to post here when feeling a bit down.. I’m not complaining I was just asking if it was normal and if there was something else I should be doing. She’s extremely strong willed and spirited and I’m trying to not stamp that out whilst also showing her how important manners are. Like I said I have zero experience of kids, especially toddlers. Thanks anyway x

no, but the more consistent OP is, it will become a learned pattern. Behave well = treats, behave badly = get nothing.

I don’t know what you’ve just read but it was clearly different to everyone else.

My three year old can hardly talk either. It’s worrying of course. However, other people are allowed to have their parenting struggles as well.

Hey OP, my 2 (nearly 3) yo is going through it, a huge amount of “no” in response to EVERYTHING, and lots of tantrums when drawing boundaries etc. don’t worry all normal! We just have to persevere!

😂 What?

Just giving OP some perspective. She can take it or leave it.

If you carry a screaming child out of a shop you have misjudge the situation.

Do you have children?

Oh right because it came across as you were being judgemental with a twist of ‘my problem is worse than yours’

Yes. 3.

No that’s precisely what I was saying.

ermmmmm most parents of under 3s have done that at some point.

I clearly misjudged every situation when my ds was between 2 and 4.