What Happend to My Sweet Baby??

really? a two year old with an attitude problem? :-)
i promise it will pass (for the most part)with consistant discipline. believe it or not you will provide him with a sense of security if you exert control over his behavior. do not be afraid to tell him no for something just because you are afraid of his reaction. you will probably get lots of glares from people in public who are critiquing your parenting. who cares. just be consistant and do not give in! time outs will work if he is completely isolated and allowed to calm down while he's there. it is hard to enforce in public, but we've been known to have time outs in bathroom stalls in restaurants! good luck to you all!

o the terrible twos. Stick with the time outs if you only do it part of the time they never really understand it and after time out get down to his eye level and explain why he had time out and that he can't do that and then hug him and tell him you love him. I know what you are going through I just got out of that phase with my 3 year old and now my 19 month old is entering it so it can be trying at times but you will get through it.

K....
I can relate. We use time-outs and I have given her a time out in public (in as isolated as an area as I could find) before where she just screamed "no...no...no". When people would look at me, I calmly said "she's having a time out". My post is just to say that ANYONE who has had a 2 year old and sees this in public KNOWS what's going on and what you're going through. Everyone else can just kiss your butt! Do what works for you and ignore those people who give you a look in public! All kids are different so just try different things and see what works best. Hang in there!!!

My son will be 2 at the end of March and he does these lovely tantrums as you described as well. We have tried time out and I feel like they don't work either. He will sit there for 2 mintues but as soon as he gets back up and something happens he will throw another one. I have recently started taking something away from him when he acts like this...I really feel like this is the best form of discipline for him so far. He has a lot of Thomas the Trains and tracks and loves to play with them, however when he acts like this I tell him to stop and that if he doesn't he won't be able to play with his trains all day. He has been doing really good because he knows he won't get to play. Be sure though, that you do follow through. My husband attempted to do this, however he would only threaten to take the toys away about 20 times and never would so my son didn't learn any different. So be sure if you say you are going to take something away you have to so he understand that you really will do it. Good Luck.

Hi K.-

Well, my son is 28 mos and we've been going through the same thing. For the most part, he is a good boy. However, we he doesn't get his way, he's on the floor, limp and not cooperative. When he does this is the store, as bad as this may seem, I let him lay there. I don't move and tell him nicely to get up right now. I try to use leverage. If you don't get up right now then you can't do this later.....ya know? However my husband picks him off the floor and is more stern with him. I try not to yell at him when he is doing this, because I don't think that is effective. I try to make him realize what he is doing and try to move on. I think he does a lot of it for attention, and I won't give it to him. So, I wish you luck! Your not the only one!!

Ahh, yes. My son is 18-mos old and heading towards the terrible two's at full-tilt boogie! This is my advice, and it works very well for MY child. I am a firm believer in discipline. My child needs to know that there are quick consequences for his actions, and when the need calls, a spanking. I give him until the count of 3 (and 99% of the time he's over it by 2) to stop whatever bad behavior he's exhibiting. If he continues, then it's an open-handed swat on the butt. You would be amazed how quickly that works. I don't hit him for any old reason, it has to be deserved. I get down on his level, hold his arms with my hands, and speak in a low, firm voice. After the counting or the spanking, he usually turns around and gives me a hug and a kiss. Everyone has commented on how well my child behaves, and that is because normally all it takes is a warning for him to straighten up. Kids need to realize they are doing something wrong in order for them to behave correctly the next time they get angry or frustrated. I believe in a mix of both positive and negative reinforcement. I praise my child constantly for good behavior and affection (he's a very affectionate child - lots of hugging and kissing - mainly because we hug and kiss him constantly). We tell him that we love him a million times a day. Every kid needs a balance - trust me, if they learn early on that they can railroad you or take advantage (especially in a public place) you'll never be able to gain control at times when you'll need it most.
I know this is long, I'm just trying to explain what works best for my family, I hope this helps with yours!
Best Wishes,
Meg

I ask that every day. I have a 33 month old that I am convinced is trying to make me go insane. I tried time out, she usually laughs. I found that reading two books, one is Dr. Phil's (yes, cheesy) Family First had some good points about controling their "currency", i.e. toys. So, when she is hitting, kicking, she gets a favorite toy taken away, and then has to tell what she did and why she can't play with it. When she acts better, she can earn it back.
I also bought "Hands are not for hitting" at border's for around$7. It was recommended by a friend. It's a baord book for toddlers that explains all the good things you use hands for and not inappropriate ones.