OK, its a phase but now what??

**jennibear** · 25-05-2011 21:39

Ok so ive accepted the fact that DD (2.5 years) is going through a pahse of not wanting to eat, listen, and be nice (

) but HOW do i get through the phase without going completely insane??

I think the biggest issue i have is the fact she wont eat dinner...i was trying to relax about it but its so hard. While i have started feeding her ONLY healthy stuff during the day (for my peace of mind mostly) i know shes hungry at dinner time but she refuses to eat. I end up leaving her dinner on the table and she picks over it during the night.

She also, wont listen to me (or has selective hearing) and shes generally a pain in the neck. I feel like im fighting with her constantly to do what i want...even trying to dress her is a nightmare. I feel like all im saying her her is 'dont do this or dont do that'. I feel horrible most of the time when i realise all ive said to her is 'No' and 'Dont' all day!!
It makes it 100 times harder when DS (5 months) is unsettled or being feed (BF).

HELP, im getting so frustrated with everything.

So my question is How do you survive the terrible twos??????

**UmmInayah** · 25-05-2011 21:41

Can you give options like "you can wear this or this?" I think sometimes it comes down to their want for control and allowing that within boundaries is okay.

**kar** · 25-05-2011 21:46

I hear you. I've been trying the 2 options thing and he still just says "no". "would you like pasta or noodles?" "no" etc etc. With everything.
I hate how we are interacting ATM. So negative

**jennibear** · 25-05-2011 22:59

Originally Posted by kar

I hear you. I've been trying the 2 options thing and he still just says "no". "would you like pasta or noodles?" "no" etc etc. With everything.
I hate how we are interacting ATM. So negative

Exactly...although its nice to know im not the only one hehe!! You just feel so negative and then you wonder why your toddler wont listen. Then you think about it and realise you wouldnt listen to someone like that either. But you just cant help it!!

Its sooooo hard!!!

**Lynken** · 25-05-2011 23:15

The only thing that's worked for me is acting indifferent when my daughter is acting like that. I try not to give her the reaction she wants by just saying "ok" and leaving the room. When she does what I ask, I give a positive reaction like "good eating", "good tasting" (for new foods), "wow, did you put your knickers / pants / socks on all by yourself? What a good job, that's so helpful."

Choices also work well here but if the answer to both is "no" or "I don't want", then I say "well, that's all there is so you can pick one or you can have nothing". If it's still no, then I just say "ok" and leave the room. I try to encourage her independence without allowing power games, KWIM?