Someone tell me this is normal and then how to handle it!!!

My DD (who turned 2 today) has always been a relatively easy baby/toddler. She never really said "mine" or "no" or threw tantrums or gave me problems eating, etc. UNTIL recently. It was like someone turned a switch and she woke up one day and was a completely different child.

Lately everything is NO, go away, leave, mine, etc. Thankfully we still aren't hitting or biting (yet).

Also, my DD was the type to eat anything I gave her with no issue. Now she won't eat anything. Tonight she only asked baby food string beans (that's what her brother was eating) and an apple.

and can I add she whines and cries about everything - something she never really did before either.

OK so what do I do? Is this normal? Is it a phase? How do I address the "freshness?" Ignore it? Explain it's not nice? etc. What about the food? Ask her what she wants? Offer her what we are eating and that's it?

Sorry for all the questions but I feel like a "new" mom to her. So much has changed so fast.....

Message edited 12/1/2008 9:16:49 PM.

Re: Someone tell me this is normal and then how to handle it!!!

Does she watch Caillou?? I blamed this show for alot of DS's sudden bad behaviors we wouldn't allow him to watch it anymore and whenever he showed behaviors like on the show we kind of called him out on it and told him he was acting like Caillou and it stopped totally. We didn't allow it to go farther then a week.

Some of it is totally normal but honestly I hate that show and find whinning and crying totally unacceptable.


I remember I used to think it was a good show especially since he had a little sister. But then when I finally watched it after another Caillou hater Mom on here mentioned it.
I noticed that he was fearfull, whining, crying alot, not so nice to his sister and well half the time his parents pawn him off to his Grandparents (since as my husband and I joke, they are sick of him too..lol)

Re: Someone tell me this is normal and then how to handle it!!!

Wow, I thought I was just a hardass for thinking the SAME thing about Calliou! I'm glad someone else sees that about that damn kid!
As for Hannah (Happy Birthday!), she's doing what every normal toddler does. She's testing the limits. Ignore anything that you think you can- whining, not eating, etc. but set the ground rules if she's fresh. For Ava, if she gets fresh with me, I give her a warning and if she does it again, she's on time out. It's worked really, really well. We had a few rough months, but she's getting back to the normal Ava. Just really make sure you ignore all of teh annoying behaviors so as to not reinforce them.

Re: Someone tell me this is normal and then how to handle it!!!

I wish I had advice for you, but we are going through the same thing too. As Bella approaches 2 she's displaying the same behavior as you described. It may be a phase that they go through around that age. We're trying to be firm with her and set limits and will not tolerate or give into any whinning. It's hard. Stay strong. Hopefully it won't last too long.

Re: Someone tell me this is normal and then how to handle it!!!

I am going through this a bunch myself. I spend the holiday weekend with my family and she eas a great kid!! As soon as we were on the way home and I dropped off my brother she snapped right back into brat mode - instantly!!
I think Rachel is right, she is testing the limits. If she wants to call the shots, give her 2 options (that you choose) and let her pick one. That way she feels like she is in control (but really, it's you!)

Re: Someone tell me this is normal and then how to handle it!!!

First off, happy bday Hannah!!! Second of all,BTDT. Luca was acting out really badly for a while. He still is far from perfect, but things have definitely improved. As I mentioned in other posts, Luca was even getting to the point of hitting, both me and DH, as well as other kids. We started getting really strict with what was aceptable and what was not. He got very aquanited with the naughty spot. But it worked. Now he gets a warning for bad behavior, but goes straight to the naughty spot if he hits. And he gets told in a very angry voice, "that's not nice. I don't like that." As for food, Luca is still a pretty good eater, but he has definitely gotten more picky and sometimes will eat just a few bites. I try to give him options- but only 2.
And as far as the Cailou thing goes, I think I'm that mom who put it on my "least favorite tv shows" list.

Re: Someone tell me this is normal and then how to handle it!!!

Very normal!

Place no emotion into it. Remain very neutral and treat this as a learning opportunity. But no kid can learn when he or she is having a tantrum.

Walk away, and ignore. When she calms down, calmly model the words she should say...

Cailen will actually pick up the toys he throws after his tantrum, and then come to me for a kiss. This is how I know he is over it - but he needs his time to be angry first!