We KNEW he was advanced. We just knew it!
Evidently the terrible twos have come to our household. In force.
Everything is a struggle. every arm in a sleeve, foot in a sock, hair brush, and tooth brushing is an all-out fight. Things are thrown, hitting is attempted, sobs rend the air, teeth are gnashed. He wants to do it all. Climb things taller than he is, play with inappropriate items, feed himself entirely, brush his own teeth, brush his own hair, brush MY hair.
I suppose I should be thankful for such an independent child - but does he have to be this way at 16 months old? I'm not ready for it, even if he is. It seems that every picture I take of him these days, he's turning and running away from me to do some new thing. I should be proud. It should make me happy that I'm doing my job with him. But it's... hard.
We've reached the stage of the dreaded Online Research in answer to our questions. HOW do I deal with this tiny terrorist? Someone who isn't at all against wailing, dropping to his knees, dropping face first to the carpet, and kicking his feet isn't going to answer to just anything.
We need to Research!
Things I've found during Research:
- Put him in timeout.
- Do NOT put him in time out, whatever you do.
- Leave the room during his tantrum.
- OMG NEVER EVER EVER leave the room during a trantrum. He'll feel abandoned.
- React calmly.
- Don't react at all. Are you crazy? Fuel for the file.
- When he hits, swat him on the butt.
- When he hits, ignore it and NEVER EVER hit him on the behind or he'll become a serial killer (like Mr. Noodle).
- Redirect him.
- Talk to him. Reason with him.
- (I can't stop giggling at that last one.)
- Give him what he wants, if it's in reason.
- NEVER give him what he wants, because you'll spoil him.
Who's kid is this again? Certainly not MY child acting this way. Thankfully he seems to keep these at home.
In public? Still an angel.
Oh, I have been there... wait, I'm still there with my almost-3-year-old! A very independent little man, but I've discovered he's also a great little helper if he's given a task. Your little guy might be the same way. Today I had him put wagon wheel pasta into a measuring cup while I was bringing the water to boil. It was one of those times he could be very independent and it didn't matter how long it took! (Rare occasions, right?!) We also have the tooth-brushing battle. He usually can't resist complying if he's told to open his mouth like a lion/hippo, but that only lasts for a moment. I found some helpful tips on this Mom's Guide to caring for little teeth (http://www.1dental.com/moms-guide/) if you want to check it out. Good luck!
Posted by: Emily | 05/13/2011 at 03:47 PM