Is This The 'Terrible Two's' Come Early?

[Bellared]

DS 18mo Has just recently started:

Kicking (when I'm changing his nappy or is lay down getting dressed), headbutting me when I have hold of him, screaming (so loud it sounds like he is being murdered ), throwing things on the floor, the daft dog and at us and banging his head against the back of the high chair. He is also not eating as much as normal and tries to feed himself with a spoon/fork but just throws and flicks it everywhere which I do expect as he is learning to feed himself. I spoon/fork feed him at the same time so he's actually eating something but then just starts with the banging of head on the back of the highchair. He does seem well in himself and I don't let him have sweets or chocolate.

Luckily he is sleeping through the night and is constantly on the go during the day and having an afternoon nap with no fuss.

I take him out for walks (on reins) and even then he sits on the floor and shouts and screams when I remove him from a situation like walking into someones garden or away from cars. He is let loose though in the secure playground at the park so he can run about.

As he is an only child I'm not sure if this is just normal toddler behavior.

He did go through a phase of screaming a month or so ago and it stopped. I've told him off for the screaming and it didn't work and I've tried ignoring him and that doesn't seem to be working either.

Is this the dreaded twos? He doesn't yet talk either just says 'hiya' and babbles.

Thanks .

It sounds normal to me. How you deal with his behaviour from this point in will probably determine whether it is a phase or whether it will last.

I found 'The Science of Parenting' by Margot Sunderland very useful in appreciating how the young mind works and therefore dealing with difficult behaviour.

My boy, now 3 yrs, started this way, at about the same age, now he is a little star. Almost never has tantrums, listens to requests most of the time and is generally very well behaved for his age.

Consistent, firm and understanding approach. Patience in spades. Remember, a toddlers brain is under developed socially and they cannot, in most circumstances, control their behaviour. They do learn to though, over time with help.

There is a series of books by Loise Ames & Francis Ilg from the Gesell Institute of Human Development. They are 'Your One Year Old', 'Your Two Year Old' etc.
They are a bit old fashioned, but the information is based on detailed observations of young children and is very exact.
I seem to remember that they see 18 to 21 months as a time of disequilibrium and frustration in a child, whereas at 2yrs there is more contentment.
You can get them on Amazon, but they may have to come from the states so take a little longer.

HTH

Thank you both.

I'll have a look in the library next time we go for the books you both mentioned and I think his frustration is because he is desperate to talk but he can't yet, bless him.

Thank you both once again!