2 Almost 3 Year Old with Anger Issues

Hi M.,

That is pretty normal. My little girl throws her toys as well. It became a game for her at first. We usually pick the toy up and lay it down nicely. Then, we try to have her do that. It sounds like you may have tried this already. It is a stage though. It's just like throwing food from the high chair. It's a frustrating stage, but it is best to just breathe through it and stay patient while helping him learn. I get just as frustrated as you and many times have just wondered why??? At this point though, it is probably not as much an anger issue as something new the child can do. As long as nothing is getting broken and it isn't just done out of defiance, discipline can still be achieved. :) Hope this helps...

Blessings,

K

Hi M., I have a 11,9,and 7 year old, My two youngest did axsactly what you are descibing...I finnally seeked help with a physcologest,they both have adhd/anger man.I inrolled them in special groups of there age and they also tried medicine,they did this for about 1year,then finally they outgrew that stage,but my youngest still attends anger managment,he sees a counselor on a regular basis,I hope this gave some insight,and good luck!!luv FLO

My son does the same thing! He is 1/2...will be 3 in July. Ginny pretty much discribed how things go in my house. My son will sometimes just go into complete meltdown because of this. At that point, I usually take him somewhere safe for him to thrash around where he can see or hear me and leave him there until he can calm himself down and comes to see me. I then quickly distract him with something else. I also notice that he doesn't do this as much when there are other children that he is playing with. I would have to guess that either they are learning to work together OR (and more likely I think) that the other kids are enough of a distraction that if something doesn't go his way, that he simply drops it. This is something that all 2-3 year olds seem to do. It is just a stage and it won't last forever. Sometimes the more I try to help, the worse I make the situation and then I end up mad as well, so I've learned to just take my son somewhere to cool down and then move on to something else instead. Good luck! Let us all know if you find a miracle cure!

L.

Hi,
I am having the same issues with my son who is 8. Have you read The Out of Sync Child- this book helps explain alot about SPD. There is a great group that helps parents of children with Aspergers Syndrome (____@____.com). Even though my son is not officially diagnose, this group seems to help me a lot- great tips on how to discipline effectively. If you want to talk, write anytime. :)
Good Luck,
M.

I don't have this problem yet but I watch that show Supernanny,in almost every episode where the kids have been throwing tantrums like this she recommends that you put them in a time out for as many minutes as they are old. When they try to get up and leave the time out spot don't talk to your child just put them back in the time out spot and don't look them in the eyes. Eventually, the child learns that you won't cave in and will stay put. Whatever method you use just be consistent and patient. Her technique works but I have seen it take 2 hours of putting the child back in the time out spot before the child realizes that they need to stay put. When their time out is over talk to them so they know why they were put there. I don't know if this will help but good luck.

Hi M. E.
My son just turned 3 and he throws his toys when he gets mad. Mostly when we tell him no. I found that setting him in a chair for 3 minutes or until he changes his behavior. Then I set and talk to him, I tell him that it is ok to be mad or upset but not ok to throw things. I am hoping with in time he will figure out something else and well give up this behavior.
Have you tried this? it may help you. If you come up with something that works please let me know.
Thanks
G.

Hello M.,
I have noticed that when you take the toys away from the child, they find something else to throw. I learn a lot from the Supernanny. Try the time out. I make my girls watch as I take their toys away. then they have to do good things to get them back. Who knows it might work. If you need anymore help I"m here.

Don't respond. He gets a bigger kick out of your response. Just be calm about it and say, oh, was he a bad toy? Perhaps you should put him in the corner huh? If you stick to your guns, he will quit, but you can't give up, cause it's not a miracle overnight fix.

Lady Wolfe
Mother of 4- 3, 5, 13, 17

M. I to have the same problem and it looks like many others do to. That is good to know.My 2 3/4 yrs. does all that I just try to renforce that we don't do that, My problem is my 2 yrs old watches and is now starting to do it to. He also kicks thing, God give me help to get through this stage. Good luck to you. K.

Sounds like your son is just trying to test the boundaries and exert some independance. I have 3 boys, 7, 3 1/2 and 21 months. My first one was a dream during the toddler/preschool stages and my second was a holy terror. Not a bad kid. Not angry either. Just a LOT of energy and a strong desire to establish some independance...which in turn brought about a lot of frustration on his part, still not quite able to coordinate his toys and his body parts with "great precision". He has since grown out of the "toy-throwing" stage and has become a great deal calmer. He's going on 4 this year and the key to our success was a great deal of patience and consistancy on our part. Good luck! It's never very easy when you are in the middle of it, but many parents, if not all, have experienced what you are going through!:)