Am I raising a brat?

DS is 11 months old. He can be very sweet and loving. He is a LOT of fun because he's so active (he's been walking for a little over a month). But...he is so wild. He is rough in the way he plays. And he is sooooo stubborn (I don't know WHERE he got that from... ). And his temper - wow. He will go from my sweet loving boy one minute to throwing himself on the floor, screaming, turning bright red, the second you don't let him get his way.

Luckily, I'm just as stubborn as he is so I'm holding my ground on the rules. But I worry...if he's like this NOW, how will he be when he's 2 or 3? And I feel like he's getting a reputation in the daycare as the wild, loud, crazy kid (which I guess he is). I know it shouldn't bother me, but sometimes it does. I feel like people look at me like it's my fault. And I do encourage him to be himself and have fun when it's appropriate.

Sorry I'm rambling - I just worry that maybe I'm doing something wrong. Is this normal behavior at such a young age?

Am I raising a brat?

youre fine..

Its just lack of communication. They have no better way to express themselves right now.

Re: Am I raising a brat?

sounds like you're raising one of my kids!

Re: Am I raising a brat?

DD is 14 months, but is the same way with tantrums. I chalk it up to her not being able to express herself. Sometimes if she isn't getting what she wants she will smack or throw things out of frustration, which is not cool.

I am trying to hold my ground and even put her in a safe place for a "time out" if she is really freaking out to try to get my point across. But mostly, I'm just waiting until she can communicate a little better. When she can understand time-outs they will be more effective.

ETA - I also worry about how people view me when we're out in public. But I've found that most people are very understanding, and quite a few people have been very kind and reassuring (commenting on how hard it is when they are this age). So while people may be looking at us because it's very entertaining, I don't think most are judging. Especially with kids who are barely 1 and aren't talking yet.

Message edited 3/15/2013 3:59:17 PM.

Re: Am I raising a brat?

Am I raising a brat?

My DD is almost 20 months, and she is not as whiney anymore because she is talking up a storm. I am so happy that phase is over. I mean don't get me wrong, she still throws fits if she doesn't get her way, but the whining over everything and anything is pretty much over. I said to my husband the other day how nice it is that she can communicate now.

Am I raising a brat?

My DS is almost 15 months. He has been doing this since about 10-11 months. its normal. My DH and I are both stubborn so I expect DS to be the same way. Until he can really tell us things and fully understand what we tell him I expect this behavior.

So I figure it should go on until he is 35....LOL

Re: Am I raising a brat?

Sounds exactly like my 20 month old. I'm pretty sure the library person sorts told us there are other classes better for him. Lol
He's very active, curious and stubborn. Not a good combo. He needs to know and touch everything and always moving. If he doesn't like something he will have a tantrum, but snaps out of it fast. Always on the move. DS 1 was and still nothing like this. They are so opposite.
He gets annoyed when he's done and he's ready to throw everything on the floor. I only give him very small portions now.
He is who he is. An active toddler.
He's exhausting, but I love every minute of it bc he keeps me entertained.
DH and myself are not stubborn, but it's in the family. Both sides. Lol

Am I raising a brat?

Thanks, everyone for the reassurance. I love him to pieces and he really is so much fun. I just want to make sure I'm doing what is best for him.

Re: Am I raising a brat?

That's exactly the same age I started asking myself that question also.
They act like know it all teenagers just because they could walk & do more things then they could a few weeks before.
With DD it lasted a few months but when she started communicating a little better, she calmed down (like a few other posters said.)
She's still a little stubborn & strong willed but she's much more manageable & not as bratty.

Re: Am I raising a brat?

Honestly....some kids just are who they are

I have two sons, they are 5yo and 23 months. Ds 1 was the perfect kid. Never threw a tantrum in public, was independent but cautious and Avery good listener. You could always reason with him so he really was a joy.

Ds 2 is Dennis the menace and curious George rolled into one. He is sweet, smart, loving and caring one minute. The next he is a monster. He knows no fear, he literally placespillows or blankets on my living room floor then dives off the couch superman style. My friends laugh bc he carries a step stool around the house so he has access to all.
And don't get me started on the tantrums. Throwinghimself, banging his head, kicking, screaming, hitting me, etc.

I don't think I have changed my parenting style so drastically from son 1 to 2. They are just different kids. My second d son is spirited, always moving, independent, stubborn and has a hot Irish temper.

It's a phase as they grow into their own.stay strong and drink wine on those bad days! It's all about survival. I joke that I am documenting everything to give to his future wife to warn her!

Eta: my son is known as the crazy one. It's just who he is. I don't take offense personally. I agree!

Message edited 3/15/2013 11:43:37 PM.

Am I raising a brat?

I don't think so. If you are then so am I, times two. My girls were walking by 12 months and said "up" at 8 months old. They are fearless. They will climb everything, they take their toys and use them to reach things they shouldn't have. The talk a lot. One is extremely stubborn, but considering both my husband, my MIL and myself are also very stubborn I was expecting that LOL. They are constantly on the move, and exploring everything.

My husband blames it on all the DHA that I had when I was pregnant. It said it makes them smarter, they really weren't kidding. LOL