? negative behavior in 2-year olds

OK I don't have a 2-year-old yet, but my friend does. We were at a party yesterday and he was being mean to a couple of the little girls there. I felt really bad for my friend because I could tell she was embarassed. At one point, he tried to run over one of the kids with a bike and then he dumped water over her head from the kiddy pool. His mom disciplined him, and he also socializes with other kids and doesn't have this problem. Is this what I have to look forward to? Is this "normal" kind of behavior for little boys?

Re: ? negative behavior in 2-year olds

honestly it all depends on the child. We have several friends with children that are just mean/bad and then I have other friends who's children are just so pleasant. From what I could see as an outsider who are around these families alot it would seem that for the kids that seem bad/mean it's inconsistency with discipline, teaching to share, etc., meaning when they are home with no other children there is no or little discipline but when the kids are out in public and the parents are embarrassed they discipline. I could be off, but this is what it seems like to me. The more pleasant kids are disciplined more consistently.

My DD is 2 1/2 and has her moments but we constantly discipline and try to teach her about sharing, taking turns, what's nice and not nice, etc. (home or in public) and she's generally a good girl, but it could also just be her demeanor. I'd like to think that some of it is our parenting, but who knows!!!

eta: I think I misread your question at first. Every kid has bad days, I haven't met a child yet that doesn't do something wrong or have a tantrum. Even with a good girl I've had my share of "embarrassing" moments!

Message edited 7/26/2009 1:40:22 PM.

Re: ? negative behavior in 2-year olds

Unfortunately sometimes it is. Every child is different though. Sometimes they act out for attention. Or he may not have liked that girl for whatever reason. Their behavior can be really unpredictable at times.