Mark keeps throwing tantrums

[teenage_mum]

My son is nearly two. i know people say its the terrible twos but my god are they really supposed to be this terrible. he throws tantrums at the slighest things. if he cant watch a dvd or if its too wet to go outside. i need help. wat can i do :confused:

[Goosie22]

I havn't experienced the terrible two with my kids ( im going through the encouragable eights myself), but lots of my friends complained about it.

do you think its something he might be exposed to like food or something in his enviroment? Maybe if you rule out any external problems you could start on behaviour.

just have a little look and maybe something might strike a note?

http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/index.htm

http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/information/behaviour.htm

Otherwise just remember its very fustrating being so little all he really needs is lots of love, attention,consistancey and reasurance from his mum. Isn't it nice to be so wanted:rolleyes:

[tyler's mum]

have you tryed playing games with him inside,,, such as hide and seek or reading books anything like that??

but i think some kids just go through this at some time or another... just to keep us mum's on our toes:) ... good luck hope he gets better

[kimmy]

All i can suggest is don't give in to him cause if you do that then he wins & he'll just keep doing it to get what he wants & when he realises that this does not work then he might stop.
I hope things get better for you soon.

[Lunar]

All great replies,
I would say maybe it is the 'terrible two's' But why they call it that is because around the age of 2, children are at an age where they are able to do things and communicate, but their verbal communication is not fully developed and they don't know how to express themselves. They are trying to get across what they want and when they can't have it, they don't understand why so it results in a tantrum of frustration.
Theonly things I can suggest is
1)Don't give into him while he is carrying on.
2)talk to him and explain why he can't have it and where possible SHOW him why.
3)Offer something else to do/have BEFORE the tantrum starts.

I think when they see that your not giving in to the tantrum, and not paying attention to it they get the point (sometimes).

Hope this made sense and helps you out a little.

[Chickadee]

Yep, I agree. Unless Mark is in danger of hurting himself it's best to ignore the tantrum at least for a few minutes. When he starts to wind down or pauses to see if you're paying attention you can offer a cuddle and an alternate activity or toy. Chloe usually responds at that point though sometimes she keeps screaming but I find if I sit down near her and start playing something else that I know she likes she'll usually quit yelling and join in after a few minutes. The less fuss you make the better.

[loopi1]

I agree to the point of the age being around 2 (Terrible Two's) is because they can't communicate verbally yet. They know what they want but unable to express that to us, frustration sets in then the tantrum starts. My son is 2 next mth (Feb) but he started this just before he turned 18mths and unfortunatley it's still happening but now when he gets to the peak of his tantrum he'll hit his head on something. He will literally find something, wall, floor, toys, tv even a brick wall once and just bang his head and sometimes not just the once. Usually of coarse it hurts him and he crys even more. I'm a little affraid that he'll do alot damage but you can't reason with a child who is in full swing of a tantrum, you don't want to give in to them. I find I can see the tantrum coming on and try to calm him down before it happens but I don't always catch it in time. I also find that when you have worked out what the child wants/needs to say the item back to them, if they wanted a drink and you figure that out, just say to them 'Drink please mummy'

[Kirstlea]

My DD is 2.5 and since the age of 18mths has taken to throwing herself down on the floor in an absolute rage when she can't get her own way.

This probably sounds really mean, but I just walk away when we are at home and tell her it won't make things any better.

When we are out in public, I'll just stand close by and let her go for it. Once she starts calming down I say come on lets go we have to see this that or the other, something that might interest her enough to forget about what all the fuss was about in the first place. Works for us everytime.

If my tolerance levels are low, I get down to her level and tell her in no uncertain terms if she doesn't stop we will not be very good friends today. Sounds silly and she probably doesn't know what I am really saying but I think the tone of voice is enough for her to realise she is pushing the limits to far.

You'll probably laugh and think I'm a nutter but quite often if I think theres a tantrum coming I will often say to her, "now don't get cranky or you and I will be having words". Then I try to distract her with something else.

We are much more in control of the tantrums then we used to be which I am positive is because I won't give in and have kept at it.

Plus I am sure its all part of their personality developement (just joking).

Hope some of the tips from everyone help.

Regards Kirsten