Are all toddlers like this?

Question

My 2 1/2 year old son is horrible!! I can't go with him anywhere. He doesn't listen, he takes off and hides and thinks he's playing hide and seek, if he doesn't get what he wants he starts screaming, crying and kicking at the top of his lungs inside the store. I don't know what to do. PLEASE help. Why is he like this? Is this a phase they go through? If so, what should I do??????

Answer 1

Okay, first a two and a half year old is still very young and your job is to teach him how to behave.

You could try something like this - before you take him anywhere tell him how you want him to behave -"When we go to the store, you need to stay in the shopping cart and be a good boy" or "When we go to the store, you need to stay beside me and not get lost"

Pick a day that you don't really need any shopping and take him to the store and if he runs off and hides, you immediately pick him up and leave the store - don't yell, don't say he is a bad boy or anything, just leave.

Go back later, or the following day, and tell him again what you expect of him and if he is good, he will get a candy when you are done and tell him again that he is not to hide or run away, but is to stay close to you or in the cart.

If he runs or has a tantrum again, leave again.

This is teaching him what you expect from him, and that you mean what you say.  He needs to know that you will consistently do what you say you are going to do.

In my experience, children who learn that what Mom says she is going to do, actually happens, are much more secure and don't push Mom to the limits like other kids do.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Lol! I think our children might be twins separated at birth!! My son does these exact same things when he has his "off days"  I have found what works best if we are at a store is to pretend I am not paying attention to his fits.... when he calms down then he get to help mommy shop... usually by handing him stuff then he gets to put it in the basket.... or letting him make the choices.... i.e.  what color toothbrush should we buy daddy blue or red... or should we get blueberry muffin mix or banana...  this usually works well for us... distraction is a must when you have a spirited child!!

At home we do the same thing ( tho I think he is worse at home.. and try to get away with more stuff!) but I just relocate him and get him interested in something else and the fits usually go away.....

As for restaurants... well.... we just quit going!!! lol if anyone has any advice on that one I'd love to hear it!!

Answer 3

most say it is just being two,but my three year old acted the same way at that age and when he turned three things started to change for the better but then here we are again with a crazy child,he is rude,hateful.screams and yells.throws fits.I am no dr.phil even thought i like the show,I do spank my kids when they need it.and even spankings do not work with him,he will laught at you,taking toys away does not work he will find something else to play with and that normally means my house is going to be distroyed.time out does not work becasue when he gets up he is doing the same thing again and again.

we have other kids too and we thought maybe he was not getting enought attiention so we have started trying to give all of them there own time with us and that is a hard task to.if daddy is playing with the baby the the others want to play with daddy to,and on and on,but it has been working some,he has seemed to have calmed down at home,now when you are in the store if he acts ike that,the only thing you can do is leave or have someone else take him outside,he has to know it is not okay to act that way in the store.and he will get the point that you are not going to get him anything for being bad and he should start acting better,

set him down and talk to him.ask him what he really wants from the store,then tell him if you are good while i do my shopping i will get this for you,you have to remind him of a budget,because god knows when we go shopping we can not afford the biggest best toy in the store.if you go out to eat ask him if he would like some ice cream when you are done eating,that can be his treat for setting there being good.

good luck hun,

Answer 4

its a phase terrible two's

Answer 5

Some kids to go through this or have days like this however it shouldn't be happening every day or every time he goes to the store with you.  Put him in the cart and make him stay there.  If he starts to cry leave or put him in time out.  There are walls everywhere in a store so just make him stand in time out for a a few minutes.  He will throw a fit, but eventually will learn not do those things.  Also have a talk with him before you go into the store.  Tell him how good boys mind their manners and keep their hands to themselves and don't cry.  Reward him if he behaves really good one day at the store.  It will make him want to be good again.  Good Luck!

Answer 6

My toddler has tried to push me by trying those things But it ended very fast.

Everytime he did those things he got 2 warnings then discipline.

I never wavered from that so very quickly he learned if mom said stop then that meant stop. He knows the consequences.

You have to be consistent with your discipline No matter what and never react to your childs behavior in anger.

whether you spank or use time out or any other method it has to be consistent

good luck

Answer 7

terrible twos...you just need to be firm and let him know whos boss. dont give in,

if you say stop or were leaving - leave -

if you say no toys for 30 min - no toys -

its hard but he needs to know he cant get away with these things.

Answer 8

He could have

adhd (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)But who knows!

Just Remember He is only 2 1/2 years old!!!

Also Nothing could be wrong he just little and doesnt know anybetter!!You should tell him whats wrong and whats right!Have a nice talk with him

:)

Hope I helped!

Answer 9

Sounds like someone needs a swat on the backside