It's over. She's discovered pouting, fake cries and the now infamous temper tantrums! Throwing herself on the floor. Stomping around the living room yelling "NO NO NO!". What triggered it this time you ask?....
Her loving dad caved in to her cheese request but made the mistake of offering a cheese stick instead of a Babybel cheese! That was our house this morning.
She never says yes. Sometimes she will nod her head in affirmation but godforbid she says the word! "NO" however is said repeatedly. Sometimes with a wagging finger.
Some say "Ignore them" when they throw a tantrum. Don't react, show them that it doesn't give them what they want, keep speaking to them in a gentle manner about something else". Tried this yesterday. Result: 20 minutes straight of yelling and crying. There were some intermittent moments where she picked herself up off the floor to go ride her horse but all while crying and screaming then back to the floor. Seriously kid? GIVE IT UP!!
I was at such a loss having tried different techniques that as she was screaming I sat at my computer and ordered 2 toddler parenting books from Amazon. I'm now anxiously awaiting them. How sad is that?
Here's the kicker: she's an angel at daycare.
What did happen to my easy going baby???
Logging you in...
C · 743 weeks ago
Sorry to hear that E is having her tantrums. I'm hopeful that the books you got from Amazon will shed light on what's going on in the tots' brains!
I bought the book, "The happiest toddler on the block". :P Let's see if it works.
Apparently, I read somewhere that as children approach the age of 2, there is a sort of "re-wiring" in their brains and this somehow contributes to the "terrible two" syndrome. :(
P.S. apparently it starts around the 18th month.
Yikes!!!
A. · 743 weeks ago
Mel · 743 weeks ago
Anyways - Sending hugs and sypmpathy your way! Sounds like a little drama queen! An adorable one though! :) I too have the book "The happiest toddler on the block" and the tenchique that A describes about getting down to their level really works well with Rand. Usually makes him laugh and snap out of it in fact.....
It's also very normal for kids to be little angels at daycare - they learn quickly about peer pressure and conforming - so because they are holding it all together all day at daycare - they are quick to lose it at home which a safe and secure environment for them. They know their parents will not reject them for flipping out, whereas peers may avoid them. Even at this young age....
Hang in there!!! Remember how we thought that newborn phase would never pass???
Highland · 743 weeks ago
This week at home with F (no daycare) has been, well, enlightening. She is a little minx. And for really the first time I have disciplined her. In the past I said No and then distracted. A little crying perhaps but mostly distraction. This week after a deliberate attempt to knock over my wooden DCUK duck (either you know what I mean or you don't ladies) with her toy broom, I took the broom away and firmly said "no". What happened next?
Tantrum of tantrums.
My mum is here so we ignored her while she wailed. But she took herself off, round a corner, still wailing. And after a few minutes she reappeared, whimpering now, looking a bit sheepish. So I suggested in a lighthearted tone that she go and get some toy or other and bring it back to play with and, rather dejectedly she did.
I am utterly shocked by this. It used to be that the tantrum went on forever.
I had to repeat this show of disciplining again yesterday. Another destructive behaviour. And yes a tantrum ensued. But I explained that if she played with the toy another way she could still have it. She did for all of 2 minutes before it was back in position ready to destroy my TV cabinet. So I said no and took it away. Her tantrum was less lengthy. Some distraction was needed to get her mood back in order but it was ok. Bearable.
It's interesting, I feel like boundary pushing is the order of the day at 18 months. F is constantly checking to see whether she can get a rise out of me. She has been hitting and even bit today. Usually only me, though daddy did get whacked on the descent into Montreal from the UK, but she was totally overwrought. Anyway, the point is, I think, that consistency is everything until the boundary pushing eases a little. But that is exhausting, I find.
Must go to bed.... v tired. Exhausted at the thought of having to be consistent tomorrow.
mommybyday 96p · 739 weeks ago