Vent: Toddler Tantrums Beginning!

I feel as if the terrible twos have begun over here, with my 14 month old. I am sure it will get worse, but DS has been so cranky, contrary, and just plain annoying (I know horrible to say about my child, but he is) the last week or so. I feel as if he is a different child. Everything is a struggle. He must have his way or he gets mad, cries, throws things, etc.

I'm trying not to overuse the word no, but it's hard when he is physically fighting me, throwing things, or defying me in some way that can threaten his safety. The old diversion trick isn't working so well, it's getting harder to redirect his attention.

Any tips for handling this period? I've been trying real hard not to lose patience with him (or not to let it show), and explain why he can't do something in simple terms, though of course, much of it he probably doesn't understand yet.




He IS also getting back teeth, so I am hoping, hoping, this is partly teething and not the general state of things for the next couple years.

Message edited 1/26/2009 8:31:33 PM.

Re: Vent: Toddler Tantrums Beginning!

Can you put him in his crib for a "time-out" for a few moments so you can collect yourself while he is being physical, he is safest there.

Then go get yourself

Re: Vent: Toddler Tantrums Beginning!

Posted by luvmyReese

Can you put him in his crib for a "time-out" for a few moments so you can collect yourself while he is being physical, he is safest there.

Then go get yourself

Re: Vent: Toddler Tantrums Beginning!

I know what you are going through. DD went through the same thing. When I felt myself losing my patience with her, I put her in her crib. But when they start to understand more and are able to communicate more it does get better. Hang in there.

Re: Vent: Toddler Tantrums Beginning!

Posted by cjik

Posted by luvmyReese

Can you put him in his crib for a "time-out" for a few moments so you can collect yourself while he is being physical, he is safest there.

Then go get yourself

You are too funny! I DID think about having a glass of wine around 1:00 today, something I never do! I did not, but it was tempting.

Yeah, the timeout may be necessary when he's really getting unruly. I really feel he needs to learn that it's not okay to hit or throw things (though some of the throwing he does during play, so it's not always in anger).

Re: Vent: Toddler Tantrums Beginning!

DS is 16mos...I'm not sure how he compares but my use of the word NO used to be limited b/c I didn't want that to be the first word he learned...but now, yeah, we're doing NO about 1000x a day! Theres just no other way to put it! I do try to say "you can't play with this" or "you can't do that" or "thats not nice charlie" or "no climbing" etc etc as much as possible but still, NO is just more appropriate sometimes!

I do put him in his crib every now and then for like a 1/2hr b/c I can't take it...its usually when I need to make dinner and he wants to be held or is getting into EVERYTHING. He likes his crib so its not like hes up there hysterical anyway.

Tempter tantums I totally walk away from and leave him there crying on the floor...I feel bad at first but he gets right up and comes over to me, then I pick him up and explain why he can't do this or that...he's actually gotten much better w/them too...he doesn't carry on nearly as long as he used to.

throwing things...this doesn't happen too often but he'll throw his bottle when hes done with it and I'll just say "thats not nice charlie" or I don't say anything at all and totally ignore it hoping it will stop one day!

I know its hard but hang in there!! It won't last forever!

Re: Vent: Toddler Tantrums Beginning!

Posted by luvmyReese

Can you put him in his crib for a "time-out" for a few moments so you can collect yourself while he is being physical, he is safest there.

Then go get yourself

Message edited 1/26/2009 8:52:42 PM.

Re: Vent: Toddler Tantrums Beginning!

We have the little terror of terrors in our house. We tell her NO--she understands and will stop what she is doing. Also we pow pow the fingers and its to the point she pow pows herhand when se caych her doing something naughty. She is 15 mths adj.

Re: Vent: Toddler Tantrums Beginning!

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm definitely going to try the crib--even if it doesn't help him, it may help me, which in turn, will help him. Though he hates being put in his crib when he's not sleepy, so the crying will probably get louder. And yes, some of his tantrums I probably need to ignore, wait till he calms down a little, and then explain why he can't do something.

I am hoping as his vocabulary grows, these will lessen a little. Sometimes he gets angry now just because I don't understand what he wants, plus he can't understand a good part of what I'm saying.

Probably didn't help that AF came today too--a cranky toddler and a woman with PMS, very bad combo.