Evil 2.5year old

[Sarie]

I know it's just going through the twos and he has a new brother but from about 22months my beautiful boy turned into a monster!
He can still be the most loving little boy with kisses and cuddles and I love you mummy. But there are times when I just have to pick him up and shut him in his room.
He's started taking all of his little brothers toys and hiding them or putting them out of his reach. He'll push him to the floor while he's crawling. He's driving me nuts at the moment!
Anyone else in the same boat??

[Peaceangels]

Sarie, I was going through the exact same thing earlier in the year (2y.o taking toys off his brother, pushing his brother etc.).

I was really worried because it was so out of character, so I asked one of the teacher's at our Playgroup (we go to playgroup at a TAFE, so it is run by childcare teachers).

She asked me if I went reprimanded him when he did this things, to which I answered "yes" and she said he is doing anything (good or bad) to get your attention.

She explained that what he needed was more "one on one" time with me, every day if possible, even if it was only reading books at bedtime together.

I have made a huge effort to do more one on one with DS1 and things have improved 100% (at least once a week the two of us go out together for some quality time).

Not saying this is the answer for you, but it did work for me. :)

Goodluck, I hope you find something that works for you so you can have your beautiful boy back! :) :)

[Supermum]

Hi Sarie

Well considering we nicknamed our son the Prince of Darkness :p - I'll give you a big yes ... I'm in the same boat as are most parents of toddlers.

I have one at the beginning of the 'TT's' and one at the end although that pinprick of light in the tunnel seems to be getting fainter.

Consistency is the key ... reinforcing the good things he does when he does them and diverting his attention in the first instance when he does the not so good. If diversion doesn't work, we use the thinking corner for 2 minutes. When he's done, he must apologise and then we forget about it and move on. Keep him busy and occupied. It gives them less time to be mischievous. If DS throws a mammoth tanty and it doesn't go away with ignoring it ... he has to go to his room as the rest of the house doesn't have to listen to it.

We have also found that involving DS in our every day activities has helped alot. We have a stool in the kitchen so he can be involved in and watch the preparation of food. He helps stack the dishwasher and put dishes away. He is now responsible for putting his own dirty clothes in the laundry and emptying his scraps and rubbish in the bin. If he makes a mess, he now knows that he is responsible for cleaning it up.

Then again, what would I know - I do the best I can with what I have and half the time am winging it!

Good luck.

[jasminesmum]

He is obviously getting it from your hubbys side of the family. ;)

[Peaceangels]

Consistency is the key ... reinforcing the good things he does when he does them and diverting his attention in the first instance when he does the not so good. If diversion doesn't work, we use the thinking corner for 2 minutes. When he's done, he must apologise and then we forget about it and move on.

A great point Deb, always praise the good things, eg - good sharing, good helping.

Keeping boys busy is also the key, they seem to be their happiest when they are constantly occupied (hard for parents trying to come up with new and exciting games to play all the time!).

We also have a chair in the kitchen for DS1, he loves helping prepare brekky or washing up (I just put a little bit of soapy water in the sink along with some small plastic plates, cups etc and he spends about 1/2 hour there!).

[Sarie]

Thanks guys, I feel like I've been running in circles, somethings that used to work don't anymore...
I will give your suggestions ago!!
Yes Michelle! It's all from hubby's side, I was an angle! ;)

[Peaceangels]

Hey what do all you ladies with 2-3y.o boys think about starting a thread just for us mums? Kind of like a support group! :)

That way we can keep the thread going with our daily problems, solutions and advice?

Let me know if you think this is a good idea & I'll start one!?!

[Sarie]

YES PLEASE

[sopolicha]

My lovely chap is nearly 3, he is a complete fool in the nicest sense of the word, I am sure he would provide me with plenty of antics to post.

[WeThree]

Hey what do all you ladies with 2-3y.o boys think about starting a thread just for us mums? Kind of like a support group! :)

That way we can keep the thread going with our daily problems, solutions and advice?

Let me know if you think this is a good idea & I'll start one!?!

Ness. that is an awesome idea!!
My 2.5 yr old also provides me with equal amounts of exasperation and delight!! its a bit like being on a rollercoaster, 'up, down, up, down.......'
would love to regulary chat about it all. :)

[kimmy]

Hay i have an evil 6yr old if you want to trade lol. :D

[Elfin]

I know I go on about this quite a bit here but try cutting out preservative 282 which is an anti mould preservative found in a lot of breads, crumpets, cakes (supermarket pack ones), refridgerated pasta etc.

It doesn't work for every child but for some the difference in behaviour once it is cut out can be amazing. My dd was a horror child, I tried this and the difference was so incredible. She calmed right down. It took a week though. Anyway just a thought and something else to try.

[Sarie]

I had a look into that particular diet and in the end decided it wasn't for us. I think some kids may be affected by food, but luckily I think Nat was just bored. We hadn't been out as much in the hot weather so now that we're back to walking twice a day and have bought a pool he has turned into a different kid.
We still have our days, but he is 2 and trying to test the boundaries.
I'm also going to look at getting him in to kindy maybe one half day a week so he has some other kiddies his own age to play with.
Thanks for your suggestions Easterlilly!
At least it was an easy fix for me!
Sarie

[SMBT]

That special thread sounds fantastic. I would really love the advice also. My DS has just passed the 2.5 year stage and changed almost within a few weeks. My once very loving, happy little boy, has changed into a nightmare, but still comes along with the kisses and cuddles. Apparently a lot of my girlfriends little ones at this stage are also going through the whole defiance thing too, so were not the only ones in the rocky boat. It is sooooo hard to deal with, especially seeing he is taking a lot of his `whatever it is' out on my 8 month old DD. He is intentionally hurting her, smacking, pulling her arms, throwing things at her etc and if I make a big deal out of it, he tries harder to hurt her. He is also not listening to a word I say at the moment and spends a lot of time in time out. I feel like I am constantly having to say stop it, or no. I do praise the good things aswell, but they are very few and far between at the moment. My only sanity saver for the time being is that he still sleeps during the day. Thank Goodness!
Having my hubbie home over Christmas/NY didn't do us any good either, except that he kept Bailey amused for a lot of the time, he doesn't discipline him (that is left up to me continually) and it is harder to control him because he shows off or sucks up to Daddy. ARGH! Men....they are all the same, no matter what age they get too (hehe).
Anyway, hopefully it is just a stage and eventually, maybe when their 35 they will grown out of it. fingers crossed for all our sakes.:)

[Shazbutt]

It is sooooo hard to deal with, especially seeing he is taking a lot of his `whatever it is' out on my 8 month old DD. He is intentionally hurting her, smacking, pulling her arms, throwing things at her etc and if I make a big deal out of it, he tries harder to hurt her. He is also not listening to a word I say at the moment and spends a lot of time in time out. I feel like I am constantly having to say stop it, or no. I do praise the good things as well, but they are very few and far between at the moment. My only sanity saver for the time being is that he still sleeps during the day. Thank Goodness!

Same here Melissa! My DD is just over 2.5 yrs also, and is a right royal poo at the moment. Her story sounds just like your Bailey's! Exactly......The only peace i get is when she has her daytime nap, otherwise i would go mental! LOL And thank god Charlee is the angel she is...i couldn't deal with 2 horrors!

That special thread has turned into one for boys and girls (or i joined anyhow :rolleyes: ), and is called "Going through the terrible twos', in this section also. Feel free to vent away, and hopefully we'll all be able to help each other throught his rough time....All i can say is that i hope it ends at 3! (Though going by some of the stories i've heard....i don't think it will....:( )