I know, I’ve blogged about this before, the terrible twos. They seem to come and go randomly. But last week they showed up. Full. Force.
So I thought I’d offer a little peak into life with a stubborn, sassy, struggling-to-be-independent two year old boy. Hopefully you get some laughs out of this, which will help ease away my tears. These are indeed the top ten terrible two episodes from last week.
- “I DON’T wanna go potty! I WANT my pull up on.” Attempts to pin down to put on pull up. “I DON’T want my pull up on. I HAVE to go potty!” This is an endless loop, often resulting in tears (toddlers) and someone being pinned to the ground in an attempt to cloth him before we leave the house.
- “I CAN’T…reach my plate on the dinning table…bring it to the kitchen…set it on the counter…”
- “I CAN’T…wash my hands…”
- “I CAN’T…crawl into the car myself…”
- “I CAN’T…put my toys away…”
- “No, NOT nap time, I have to go potty. No, I DON’T have to go potty.” Again, endless loop until I deposit him in his crib, shut the door and don’t look back.
- Before leaving the house for errands, play groups, etc: “No, I DON’T have to to go potty. No I DON’T want to try. No I DON’T want my pull up on. I HAVE to go potty.” Followed by a complete and utter melt down, of course including tears, kicking feet, and swats at my face.
- Narrowly missing our first every hysterical outburst in the middle of Target. All because the “I try again LATER (going potty at Target, which he requested).” Which was followed by “I WANT to go potty” as I attempted to place him in the cart, which he did not want to be in. Thankfully this was avoided by threatening to leave the store, then flat out ignoring him.
- Deep calming breaths, calm, reassuring yet firm voice. Explanations, pleads and threats. All falling on deaf toddler ears.
- Short tempers with even longer tantrums. Hormones raging, patience wearing thin. And yes, I’m talking about me this time. I may just be reverting back to MY terrible twos.
If you happen to hear me muttering under my breath over and over, it’s probably: This too will pass. Can anyone tell me just when it will pass?
Does your toddler often melt down over the strangest things? What causes the melt downs? How do you handle them?
This post is linked up with Top Ten Tuesday over at Oh Amanda.
Did you know that you can save my recipes in your very own recipe box, courtesy of ZipList? Just click on the link above, under "recipes" to get started. Want to learn more? Hop on over to read about this awesome new feature.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
oh no!! My son just turned two a few weeks ago and he is being defiant but nothing “terrible” yet… ugh
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..Take lots of pictures? (Giveaway!) =-.
@Alicia, oh, just wait, it will come. i can promise you that.
Oh my goodness I can so relate!! Hang in there & know that just when it passes it will be “something else!!”.
.-= mandi@itscome2this´s last blog ..Saturday stumbles =-.
@mandi@itscome2this, That’s so true. It’s always something isn’t it?
Uhm…it will pass into no-way-but-three-is-worse-than-two and then into please-help-me-fours. This week my daughter had a meltdown because, “I DO NOT WANT MY TOENAIL POLISH TO COME OFF.” It was one day old.
So, (((hugs))) mama!
.-= oh amanda´s last blog ..Top Ten {Tuesday}: Things That Distract Me =-.
@oh amanda, Ugh, I’ve heard that 3 is worse than 3. Looks like I’m in for the long haul.
I have to agree with Amanda…..the Terrible Two’s are a big fat lie. Unless they mean the terrible two YEARS because it lasts at LEAST that long.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..The End of an Era (Alternate Title: I Am A Prisoner No More) =-.
@Tiffany, Not. What. I. Wanted. To. Hear. But I had a sneaking suspicion that was the case.
my lil’ guy is almost 2. our pastor tells us to pray for and claim what we want in our lives, so we have been claiming the “Terrific Twos!” i’ll have to let you know how that works out…
.-= mamahall´s last blog ..Ten on Tuesday: my lil’ guy =-.
@mamahall, Good luck, if it works for you, I’ll be the next one in line with my claim.
My Little Bit is only 5 months old so I have no real advice for you. I did however see a product on a blog that might help you out. It’s a portable time out mat. When I saw it I thought what a great idea! Portable consequences. Here is a link to the one I saw: http://www.etsy.com/listing/49720710/park-it-portable-time-out-mat-for-the-on?ref=sr_list_1&ga_search_query=time+out+mat&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes=tags&includes=title
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Frugalista in Training =-.
@Amy, I had no idea something like this existed. Cool!
Ugh!!! I get so darned sick of hearing “I can’t”!!!
I’m with you on this. And I have no idea when it will pass. Probably about the time they enter the Terrible Threes.
@Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect, My kiddo says it with such attitude too. So. Annoying.
Were you at my house with your recording device again?
.-= Kristen @ Motherese´s last blog ..Life After Yes: A Q&A with Aidan Donnelley Rowley =-.
@Kristen @ Motherese, Ha! You got me.
Hilarious! I’m glad I’m not alone. Isaac is 2/12, also potty training and also going through similar stuff!! This too SHALL pass and then we’ll have to meet up for margaritas!
@Clair, Margaritas sound just lovely.
Oh, you need some big hugs to combat the terrible twos.
I could have written this myself last summer when G. turned two. I was pregnant and he was potty learning, and oh,myemotionalmess, we were a sight to be seen at points in the day.
It’s gotten better with every day he inches closer to three.
Deep breaths.
.-= Hyacynth´s last blog ..Everyday life: Oh, my {not-so} baby =-.
@Hyacynth, That’s what I wanted to hear, that it gets better at 3. I’m ignoring everyone else who says that it doesn’t.
On the bright side, since you have a boy, you won’t have the monthly drama-fest in the teen years.
My youngest dd, who seems to be doing too many things early, has decided to do the TT stage early too. She can be as obstinate as any 2yo I’ve ever had and she’s only 16mo. I’m staying positive and believing that she’ll finish early too.
.-= Terri´s last blog ..Top Ten {Tuesday}: Ten Cool Thoughts to Beat the Heat =-.
@Terri, Here’s hoping! And yes, I’m grateful that we won’t have the drama of a teenage girl.
Honestly, it did pass for us. It was INTENSE right after the birth of our second son. I thought it would never end, and everything you say here was all too familiar. But it seems that as though one day it just got better. I can’t pinpoint it exactly, but I think it was right around 3 1/2 years. He seemed to mellow out again.
HOWEVER, we are soon at 4 (Thursday is his birthday) and now we face a whole new phenemena, and that’s boldness. I DO NOT like this new phase at all
.-= Christine LaRocque´s last blog ..Balance is worth it =-.
@Christine LaRocque, I guess that’s why parenting is so hard. Once you think you have them all figured out, they move onto a new phase and you have to start all over again. Keeps us on our toes though.
I hate to tell you, but three is no picnic either… I hear four is better though
.-= Corinne´s last blog ..Smile =-.
@Corinne, Ugh. I was really hoping that 3 would be better.
From what I hear, it should pass after he moves out…
.-= Muthering Heights´s last blog ..Marriage Tips From the Crusie Ship – Installment 1: Rejuvenate Your Marriage! =-.
@Muthering Heights, Until he starts calling, asking for money that is.
oh gosh yes…so so true! 3s aren’t much better
I am in the middle right now though a 3 1/2 yr old and a 18 month old. But it’s a challenge! Love your blog! ~Kimberly
http://www.stinkerpinker.com
@Kimberly, Wow, you must be up to your elbows in tantrums right now. Good luck!
{ 1 trackback }