2 Year Old Doesn't Listen to Mom

I thought it was just me but my almost 3 year old is the same way. Is the age??? I would like to know as well. I get tired of hearing my husband go on about how he listens to him but not me.

I KNOW it's so exhausting right now, but now is when you have to to stick to your guns and keep on that follow-up. If you don't have to energy to keep him from doing something, don't tell him not to do it.

I had a really rough time for awhile with my 2-3yo son while I was pregnant because I didn't have the energy to keep up with him but once I started following through, he calmed down immensely.

I know you're tired, but try to spend a little "special" time with him. Read him a book while you're nursing your daughter or while she naps, little things like that help. He's going through some big changes anyway at this age, but adding a new sibling certainly spices things up.

Good luck!

I totally agree with the spanking!! As far as him not listening,maybe it's because of the new baby and I know he's only 2 but maybe seeing a family counselor or your preacher might help. He might be upset because of the new baby. Good Luck!!

First of all, are you listening to what you're saying? He'll behave for everybody but you....you can't control him with a baby in your arms. He's probably being harsh with you because he's jealous of the attention that the baby is getting. I'm not saying that you shouldn't pay attention to the baby, but most likely this is what's happening. Negative attention to a child is better than no attention. Here are something that might help: Don't let them nap at the same time. You can pay attention to the 2 year old while the 5 week old is sleeping...take the time during the 5 week old's naps to play games with your 2 year old that he likes to play, talk about things that interest him, read to him, even cuddle up to watch tv together and discuss the show that you're watching with him during the commercials. When the baby is up, have him help you with the baby. He can do simple things like fetch pampers and wipes, amuse the baby while you're changing her, sing his favorite song to the baby, help feed the baby unless you're breast feeding in wich case he can help with the feeding by singing his favorite song to her while she nurses or he can make up a story to tell the baby...that way it's not just you taking care of the baby, he's being an active participant...he's feeling needed and shoved aside. Two year olds often misbehave...that's why they're 2...it's their job to make us nuts. Pick your battles...not everything is worthy of a fight. If it's not hurting or disturbing himself or anybody else, then just let it go...there's surely to be a consequence that he'll discover on his own. Example: if he throws his food away...he goes hungry not you, him. If he breaks a toy on purpose...guess what...he's now out of luck having that toy because it won't be misplaced. If he trashes his room...he don't get to do what he wants to do until he picks up the mess. If he tries to physically harm the baby...that might warrant a small pop on the bottom with a trip to his room. Screaming that high pitch annoying scream that most kids pick up at his age, send him to his room. Try to make the punishment fit the crime so to speak. He will eventually come around. But the key here is that he only doesn't behave for you and you have the baby...do you see the connection?

Hi M.! I have a 2 year old son as well. His name is Texal ( Tex for short), and he is becoming the lil handful too! I am dealing with the same thing, the only thing I can think of is that he is with me all day 24/7 and daddy is home after work and all. I think he gets used to my yelling and thinks he can get by with the fits and all. I think the best thing that I can tell you is stick to it. Show him you are the boss and FOLLOW THROUGH with any disipline. I put Tex in the cornor and make him stand there for a few. Of course there are days that I am right behind him to keep him there..... but I am working on it!! If you need anything just give me a holler. Together we will raise what we hope will be well behaved lil boys!! Talk to you soon

I have 2 boys, so I can relate.
They are 18 months apart and when the new one came home the older one did exactly what u're dealing with. Two things worked for us: 1. Whispering! I would get down on his level, face to face, even nose to nose and force his eyes to meet mine and as calmly and quietly as possible explain to him that his disobedience was NOT acceptable and I would not tolerate it. The first few times I even had to almost sit on him to make his eyes meet mine, but he got the point.
The 2nd thing was to have him help with the new baby as a reward for good behavior. When he did what I wanted he would get to hold the bottle or pour the formula in the bottle, etc...big boy important stuff...
Good luck with both and try to remember it'll only last til the next phase, lol.

The time out does work. Maybe you're not doing it correctly. You have to be consistent and do it EVERY time. If he is put there some times and not others it will not work. You have to tell him you are going into time out because ________. Say it at his level face to face. If he gets up, simply put him back without saying anything and start the time over. A full 2-2.5 minutes. When time is up, sit at face level again and ask him if he understands why he was in time out and explain why it is wrong to do what he did, then ask for an apology and a hug and tell him you love him.
It didn't work on our little girl at first, but she is getting so good at listening now!
Good luck. Stay persistent and don't give up. He will see you mean business. And don't use calling someone else as a backup. It only makes you seem even less superior.

Here's my opinion on what is going on. #1 he's two, and two's are challenging authority and testing their boundries. #2 he's now a brother and not the only one. Let's face it, mom doesn't have as much time for him since the new baby came. He's jealous or resentful and may not even understand his own feelings. Instead of taking things away as a disciplinary tool, try rewards. If you help mommy and .... mommy will play a game with you when the baby takes a nap. Your time and attention will be a great negotiation tool. The key is that he will get you to himself as a reward.
God Bless <>< J.

Hi M., I have a 3 year old daughter and 6 month old son and we have been there and I have done that. My daughter also use to hit and not listen at that age. They test there boundaries and if you can't get him to stop it will probably never go away. I tried spanking her, but that didn't work for her and then I realized I'm spanking her for hitting which doesn't make much sense, so I started time outs. Try putting him in a place that you can see him from most rooms. My time out is in the kitchen against a wall with nothing by it so all she can do is sit. It also works great because I can get caught up on the dishes while she is in time out! I watch nanny 911 and this is where I got the idea. Time out time is one min. for every year so 2 min. total for your son. When he doesn't listen or hits, screams, etc. place him in time out saying " you are in time out because......(you didn't listen to mom) get down to his level (eye to eye) when you tell him. You MUST do this everytime and I KNOW it is hard with a new baby. If he gets up put him back. Give it a couple weeks of him trying to escape Time-Out, he will get the picture. When Time-Out is over, get back down to eye level and say "why were you in time out" let him answer and then say we (listen when mom tells you to do something) Don't forget to give hugs and kisses at the end and let him know you still love him. Also, try putting the baby down if at all possible(she might scream) and give your son your attention only without the baby in your arms. This will let him realize he is important too. (This is what worked with me with my newborn) I must warn you it's even more tiring when putting the baby down all the time. It was frustrating to stop in the middle of a feeding and putting the baby down and chasing my daughter but so worth it now. Having a newborn makes the problem harder because the jealously stage is bound to happen and may be there for a couple of months. My husband didn't really discipline b/c he wanted to be "the good parent" and as soon as we started working together and doing the same kind of discipline we started seeing improvement. With the hitting, she only hit me and when daddy stepped up and told her that wasn't okay, she did a complete turn around. I don't know if this is a problem you and your hubby have, but I thought I would just add that. Keep trying things until you find one that works for your son b/c every kid is different. Hang in there!!! You have the strenght inside you!