No patience for the terrible 2's....

I used to be such a pateint [person and since DD hit 2.5 she has been a nightmare, always and constantly whining, being demanding, asking for cereal and then when you give it to her she refuses to eat it and asks for something else. She just seems to expect eberything she asks for and if i say no she launches into the crying and doesn't stop and it just makes me turn and i try not to yell at her but i get so frustrated with the constant crying and whining her demands. I have found myself being to hard with her at times and i get angry. Is this normal? My 8 months old costantly cries too so if it's not one crying it's the other crying and it is just taking a serious toll on me....The upsetness i feel when the crying starts worries me, i don't want to snap and that scares me. Anyone deal with anything like this? I want to be a good mom, im just don't know whow to handle her and she won't potty train, she soaks through a diaper an hour and asks to be changed, she is ready but refuses to go near the potty....i feel like in losing it...

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

I could have written exactly this.
Lately my DH and I are at the end of our rope.
We are constantly yelling at our 2 year old DD, putting her time outs, etc
She is CONSTANTLY crying, whining, yelling, SCREAMING, tantruming, acting out, hitting us, throwing things, being destructive, being defiant.

We feel like we are the only ones dealing with this- but from reading on here, I see it's very common at this age.

I really feel like I have lost all sense of myself. I feel like our lives are turned upside down. It's costant stress, we are constantly on edge, we yell at her, we yell at each other.
I feel like my marriage, my career, my sense of self, my physical and mental health are all suffering.
I truly can not imagine ever wanting another child if this is what it is like.
I can't do this again. I can't willingly put myself through this again.
The other night I asked DH- "so is this it? Is this what life is now? THIS is what we signed up for?"
I just feel like we are existing and surviving, but not really living.
Every day and every thing is a constant battle.
It's not even enjoyable to go out and do things- go out to eat, to the beach, park etc- because she will just cause a scene and act out.

The only thing getting me through is the sense that I am not alone in this- that she isn't the only 2 year old acting this way, and that this too shall pass.
It may take a long time but it wont' be like this forever.

I know I don't have much advice for you, but I wanted to tell you my story becasue I know hearing similar things helps me feel not so alone in this and helps me realize we aren't bad parents and this isn't our fault!

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

She's 100% normal! In about a year, you may be looking back and thinking how easy the "terrible 2s" were compared to the "even worse 3s"....

Just remember that it's only a stage, and getting overly upset won't help either you or DC. Just stay consistent, and they do eventually turn back into humans again.

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Totally normal.
DS was the sweetest till he hit 2.5. It was also the time he was getting his 2 yr molars.
Whining, screaming, getting up in the middle of the night screaming, fighting to go to sleep, etc.

Now that he's getting closer to 3 and the molars came through it's better. Some days are better than others, but not as bad as it was a few months ago. I seriously called a behavioralist b/c I thought something was wrong. He is not mean, but just whining and the crying and screaming at night got worse.

He also has some expressive delays so that also made it worse with the molars and him not able to really tell me his mouth hurt. Just found out later at his Dentist appt.
It'll get better... than worse again. Sorry... No advise, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Lauren is almost 3 (August) and she is very much like this now. One day at a time! Just remember to breathe and take a little time to collect yourself daily.

Message edited 5/23/2012 10:10:16 AM.

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Posted by NervousNell

I could have written exactly this.
Lately my DH and I are at the end of our rope.
We are constantly yelling at our 2 year old DD, putting her time outs, etc
She is CONSTANTLY crying, whining, yelling, SCREAMING, tantruming, acting out, hitting us, throwing things, being destructive, being defiant.

We feel like we are the only ones dealing with this- but from reading on here, I see it's very common at this age.

I really feel like I have lost all sense of myself. I feel like our lives are turned upside down. It's costant stress, we are constantly on edge, we yell at her, we yell at each other.
I feel like my marriage, my career, my sense of self, my physical and mental health are all suffering.
I truly can not imagine ever wanting another child if this is what it is like.
I can't do this again. I can't willingly put myself through this again.
The other night I asked DH- "so is this it? Is this what life is now? THIS is what we signed up for?"
I just feel like we are existing and surviving, but not really living.
Every day and every thing is a constant battle.
It's not even enjoyable to go out and do things- go out to eat, to the beach, park etc- because she will just cause a scene and act out.

The only thing getting me through is the sense that I am not alone in this- that she isn't the only 2 year old acting this way, and that this too shall pass.
It may take a long time but it wont' be like this forever.

I know I don't have much advice for you, but I wanted to tell you my story becasue I know hearing similar things helps me feel not so alone in this and helps me realize we aren't bad parents and this isn't our fault!

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

You are definitely not alone! I feel like my DD is always whining about something! And she is yelling all the time ! Its so hard because I also have a 3 month old and my DD is always waking her up with all her yelling so I now have 2 screaming kids! I try to be patient and not lose my cool but it is so hard at times! Sometimes I feel like I am going to have a nervous breakdown! WHEN DOES IT GET BETTER????!!!

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

As a mom of a nearly 4yr old.

To all

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Here too! This has been going on since she turned 1, a year ago tomorrow. She's not even 2. It's so crazy. I worked in a daycare infant- preschool for years and the toddler room was my least favorite. It's a tough age. Hang in there. DD has much better days within the last 2 months but still days where shes in time out ALL DAY it seems like.

They are trying to communicate, explore, figure things out and just can't yet. It's hard hang in there.

Time outs are really working for us.

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Wow..I was just about to come on here and post something about my DD. It makes me feel better that I am not alone. I just want to rip my hair out sometimes. I am so tired of the screaming and throwing and the temper tantrums and her just not listening. I hope this passes quickly!!

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

This is so reassuring to me. DS is also 2.5 & within the past month he's turned a switch to constantly whining, tantrums galore, hitting, throwing things, being defiant. My Dh & I were just saying how we are at Tue end of our ropes. It seems from the moment he gets up until bed, there is always a struggle for everything.

I feel like I'm.constantly yelling st him or reprimanding him. My neighbors must be like wow. She is always yelling. Worst part, my youngest who is almost 2 is following in his older brothers footsteps.

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

I feel the same way! My DS is going to be 3 in july and i have to say over the last few weeks he has been so much better..However my 19th month old DD has started up..She was always the good one and now the table has turned. So to all of you who only have one right now giving you trouble be happy!! I have double trouble. lol

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Thank you for all your replies, it's helps that im not the only one, i was starting to wonder and feeling like a neglectful parents because i feel like att i do is yell and discipline her.

Any advice or helpful advice for dealing with these terrible 2's/3's??

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Posted by GoldenRod

Posted by Butterfly8325

Thank you for all your replies, it's helps that im not the only one, i was starting to wonder and feeling like a neglectful parents because i feel like att i do is yell and discipline her.

Any advice or helpful advice for dealing with these terrible 2's/3's??

Consistency, Consistency, Consistency.... If you say something, stick with it. When they start to come out of this phase, it's important that they realize that the rules are always in place. They may be trying to fight those rules now, but if they stay there, they will learn where their boundaries are.

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

My son is 4 and my DD is 4 months old. There are days when I feel like I'm losing my mind and I seriously need psychiatric intervention. My DS is extremely "spirited." a lot of times I am embarrassed by his actions. My DD cries a lot. At times I feel like the life has been just sucked right out of me. Things I used to enjoy, I dont anymore and I lose my patience very easily. I dont want my DS to be afraid of me. It makes me feel better knowing I am not alone. All my life all I wanted to be was a mom and now that I am I feel like a failure. I can only hope it will get better. I feel like I try my best and there are days when everything is great and I am happy, but lately it seems more unhappy than happy. I constantly compare myself to other mothers. I guess I am just overwhelmed. Sorry I dragged on and on and could continue to go on and on but you aren't alone.

Re: No patience for the terrible 2's....

Posted by NervousNell

I could have written exactly this.
Lately my DH and I are at the end of our rope.
We are constantly yelling at our 2 year old DD, putting her time outs, etc
She is CONSTANTLY crying, whining, yelling, SCREAMING, tantruming, acting out, hitting us, throwing things, being destructive, being defiant.

We feel like we are the only ones dealing with this- but from reading on here, I see it's very common at this age.

I really feel like I have lost all sense of myself. I feel like our lives are turned upside down. It's costant stress, we are constantly on edge, we yell at her, we yell at each other.
I feel like my marriage, my career, my sense of self, my physical and mental health are all suffering.


I truly can not imagine ever wanting another child if this is what it is like.
I can't do this again. I can't willingly put myself through this again.
The other night I asked DH- "so is this it? Is this what life is now? THIS is what we signed up for?"
I just feel like we are existing and surviving, but not really living.
Every day and every thing is a constant battle.
It's not even enjoyable to go out and do things- go out to eat, to the beach, park etc- because she will just cause a scene and act out.

The only thing getting me through is the sense that I am not alone in this- that she isn't the only 2 year old acting this way, and that this too shall pass.
It may take a long time but it wont' be like this forever.

I know I don't have much advice for you, but I wanted to tell you my story becasue I know hearing similar things helps me feel not so alone in this and helps me realize we aren't bad parents and this isn't our fault!

Message edited 5/24/2012 9:15:26 AM.