Naughty toddler
My youngest of 3 is a 2 year old boy.
My older 2 children had the terrible 2's behaviour but nothing like the youngest is now.
If he can break it he will. If you say don't touch it he will.
I'm constantly finding new things I need to childproof as my other children never went near them. Such as our coonara or stove gas knobs and igniter, using chairs to get into everything and unlocking the front door!
He drives his cars on the walls amount other things.
He doesn't talk a lot yet either.
So, we have tried time out/naughty spot, which he will stay on until we get him but then goes back to destroying what he was for getting a time out. We have tried smacking his hands (especially near the fire) but he does not care. We have taken toys away, put him in his room, yelled pleaded nothing works.
Is this normal toddler defiant behaviour? I feel like I'm chasing a feral child around and it's all a learning curve with this child.
Any tips or advice to cope better with this age and behaviour wouid be great.
3 Replies
Because you have two older children I would suggest asking your GP for a referral to a paediatrician.
It may just be the terrible twos it might be something more. If you go to a peaditrician and there is 'nothing more' then no harm is done. Ignoring the possibility that there is something more and not seeking help can make life a lot harder than it needs to be.
My boy was as you described. He was in to everything! I was going insane. Traditional discipline had no effect. A half hour with a peaditrician and we were able to narrow down what was going on and get referred to the right help.
Some things we did that worked for us. Packed up any special ornaments. Put magnet child locks on cupboards (and kept the magnet in my pocket). Put barriers around dangerous items like heaters, like a playpen/baby fence (it might not keep them out all together but slows them down and gives you time to redirect them before they get to the item). Set up a play area, in the loungeroom (open living), where all toys were stored, I redirected him back to the play area to play rather than allowing play in other rooms where I couldn't see him.
I found catching him as he was about to break something, versus after he broke something created far better behaviour change thah punishment after the fact.
We by no means lived like that forever just a good year or so until he learnt what was expected.
As above said, its always best to rule out medical issues.
But my son is 2 in July and is practically the same.
I've worked out that he's just frustrated. He's an extremely clever child for his age, but he can't talk much so he has trouble expressing what he wants so he gets upset.
And as with every kid, he likes the attention of being told 'no' so he intentionally does stuff he isn't allowed to (but only if he's made sure I'm watching)
Ignoring helps, but with certain things - especially the harmful or destructive behavior - it gets hard.
I've started just picking him up and putting him in time out, without saying a word or reacting at all, which seems to be helping.
A change in diet could also help improve his behavior.
Cut out sugar and preservatives as much as possible
He is 2!! Not old enough for time out! Distraction and keeping the area safe. Toddler calm is a good book