Have you ever seen those kids' t-shirts that say "Toddler's Rules: If I am touching it, it's mine...If I look at it, it's mine...If I want it, it's mine"
Well, my son is 2 (end of June) and it seems that anything we try to get him to do, he wants/will do the exact opposite. He tells us he is done eating, so we take his plate away, and he says, "NO! MORE!"...Trying to get him to go potty on the potty, he will just sit there and play, and as soon as we take him off he says, "NO! Pee pees!"
I was trying to get him dressed this morning and it was beyond frustrating trying to get him to help take his own clothes off rather than just doing it all myself. My college education is in Early Childhood, so I KNOW all this stuff is completely normal and age-appropriate. I just need to vent! Its tough dealing with all day every day. My mom used to joke that dealing with my grandma was like "trying to corral a 2 year old" and now I know EXACTLY what she meant!!! Seriously, how is this done?? :-P I love being home with my son, some moments just are very difficult! :-D Thanks for the opportunity to vent! :-D
So, these replies helped this afternoon! However, then, after getting dinner started (letting DS help), I pushed the bowl of pesto (my fave!) to the back of the counter so DP (dear puppy) wouldn't get it...and guess who decided it needed one more stir while I went to the bathroom...moved it closer to the edge...thus, tempting the dog do lick out a good amount. No pesto for us tonight :-( Instead it is soup (and I am NOT a soup fan) and ham/cheese sandwiches. Deep breaths...deep breaths...ugh...
If he's doing the exact opposite of everything you tell him to do, I think it's time to use a little reverse psychology. ;)
Toddler's Rules of Posession
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must NEVER appear to be yours in anyway.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
"I am a Toddler!"
If it's on, I must turn it off.
If it's off, I must turn it on.
If it's folded, I must unfold it.
If it's high, it must be reached.
If it's shelved, it must be unshelved.
If it's pointed, it must be run with at top speed.
If it has leaves, they must be picked.
If it's plugged, it must be unplugged.
If it's not trash, it must be thrown away.
If it's in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.
If it's closed, it must be opened.
If it doesn't open, it must be screamed at.
If it has drawers, they must be rifled.
If it's a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, computer monitor, or table.
If it's full, it will be more interesting emptied.
If it's empty, it will be more interesting full.
If it's a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.
If it's a stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest. It must be pushed by me instead.
If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.
If mommy's hands are full, I must be carried.
If mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.
If it's paper, it must be torn.
If it has buttons, they must be pressed.
If the volume is low, it must go high.
If it's toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.
If it's a drawer, it must be pulled upon.
If it's YOUR toothbrush, it must be inserted into my mouth.
If it's MY toothbrush, it must be inserted into YOUR mouth.
If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.
If it's a phone, I must talk into it.
If it's a bug, it must be swallowed.
If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.
If it's not food, it must be tasted.
If it's food, it must NOT be tasted.
If it's dry, it must be made wet with drool, milk, or toilet water.
If it has a tail, I must yank it.
If Mommy wants me to come, I must run away.
If Mommy wants me to go away, I must CLING ON FOR DEAR LIFE!
If it's stacked up, it must be knocked down.
If it's sticky, it must go in my hair.
If it's bath time, I must run around naked till I am caught!
If it is a rock, it must be picked up.
If it is a doll, it must not wear clothes.
If it is Mommy or Daddy, it must be hugged.
I am a Toddler
I have figured out why some parents drink at night....because of their kids!! LOL I'm not talking about cases and cases of beer. But I know quite a few poeple who have a drink or three at night....and I understand why. My mom used to joke "I used to drink when you were growing up but once you grew up, I quit." I don't think she was completely kidding. LOL
That is such a fun age! Ha. You are doing great! He is training you for his teenage years!!! I had someone tell me when my kids were really young, "little people, little problems, big people big problems". At the time I didn't get it but it is so true!
Hee-Hee! Isn't it great!
Some kids are MORE this way than others too...out of my 7 kids that I have raised/helped raise (2 SS's, 3 bio-kids, & 2 nephews) only 1 was WAY WAY WAY this way!!!
Now that he is almost 7, I can look back and laugh at how 'challenging' he was but when you are in the moment, it's not that funny. When I was 'in the moment' with him, I just kept telling myself that "he has his own mind, he knows what he likes/wants, this is a good thing"...sometimes this helped?!
This too shall pass.
They are pretty cute and definitely challenging! Months ago, my little 2yr old Grandson said,"I don't want to 'poot' on the poppy". Is that the cutest, or what?
This is the place ;-) Most of us have been or are there. I always tried to remind myself that this was what I *wanted* since if I didn't get it there was a problem. Doesn't always work, I know.....on the plus side, this phase is short, and there are days when I'd trade the teenage phases for one of those!
(((((Hugs)))))
My friend's DD used to lament, "Itsa hard bein' 2." And it is, poor kids. Two wasn't so bad for us. Four is trying every ounce of patience I have.
Have you tried making everything a competition? Who can get dressed first?? Can you beat the timer? Can you get to the bathroom faster than Mommy? I'm gonna beat you to the shoe closet! Can you make peepee before I finish brushing my teeth. Let him WIN everytime!
We remind ourselves, outloud for our own, and DS's benefit-
"it's hard work being a toddler."
"DS was trying to be helpful"
"this would be much easier for all of us if you'd comply with our request."
Keeps us from going towards outrage.
good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
You just keep on keeping at it. Breathe deeply. Remind yourself that your these forays into frustration are a sign your child is developing normally, and be glad of it.
:)
It can be tough. You can do it!
Thanks for you response Michelle!
Almost peed my pants over the stroller memory.
Reading your SWH - bless your heart! Reminds me of years ago when my dog got on top of the table and ate the leftover spaghetti and proceeded to throw up all over our white sofa. After having people come to clean our sofa 3 times, we bought dark leather!!!
Smiles!
Dawn
Ah, yes. You are not alone. This has been my entire summer and fall and DD is 2 1/2. "Mine!" "No!" "Don't want to brush my teeth." "Don't like quiet time with mommy." "I WANT to do it.' "Do again!"
We will appreciate these seemingly larger-than-life demands in the teen years, no doubt!
you're smarter....at least most days, right? :)
ours were more "me do, me do" at that age but we defintely had opposite days.
so, we just said the exact opposite at this age, within reason.
if he needed a coat. I'd pick up the coat and say, "oh, I don't think you should wear this today." on it went without a fight. clothes....I gave up that battle unless it was something like a wedding. whatever they wanted to wear as long as it was mostly weather appropriate was okay. and I hid the non-appropriate. my daughter wore a yellow one piece shorts thing over a grey elmo t-shirt and multi-colored striped pants for 6 months or more :)
and you get to pee by yourself? really? what did I do wrong? I don't think I peed by myself until my youngest was 5!
