Edgy Two Year Old?

Question

My daughter is 2 1/2 years old. She has gone through lots of different phases. When she was a newborn she was extremely colic prone. Doctors always said she was fine but she cried all the time for the first 18 months and was very moody. She sort of got out of that phase as she started walking and learning to talk and express herself better.

But recently she gets fixated on one thing and get really upset when its time to end the game to nap, have a meal, go somewhere, and especially at bedtime. I am walking on egg shells to avoid certain words that I know she will flip over, I never say bath unless its bath time or she will blow a fuse and insist on a bath at that second.

I have seen this occur with other preschoolers many times but now that it is happening with me, I don't have a clue of how to address it. I try to find a transitional activity that will distract her away from her demand if its not possible to give it to her then. What more can I do about it or should I be firm?

Answer 1

my child is almost 2, we have to spell alot around her,example-if we say outside then she wants to go out right then or shoes, then she wants to go somewhere. If we say bed then she will stop evrything shes doing and grab her bed time stuffed animals and start crying so yeah im going through that also.

Answer 2

Ah the terrible twos. Frustrating time, I know. I work with the 2 and three year olds in the nursery I work in. I have this little boy who throws really bad fits when he wants to get his attention. If you try to hold him he thrashes around unless you ignore what he's doing. Now your daughter is the exact opposite. As the other advice givers have said, play along with her. Bring her favorite toy with her or even get something thats waterproof so you don't have to worry about it getting wet or messy. Like a barbie, or tell her if she's a big girl she can wear a special tiara like a princess, like the little pink plastic tiaras. If she calms down tell her she's a big girl and a very pretty princess and she can wear her tiara. If none of these work, you may have to take her to your doctor to see if she has adhd. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

it happens to the best of us u just gotta ride it out dont worry it will end soon then it will be something else that she goes through thats parenting for u u just start getting used to one phase and they go into the next phase just stay firm and dont let them smell ur fear lol good luck

Answer 4

Well I don't know much about parenting, because im only 15, but I can try and give you some decent advice.  When its time to end a game for a nap or bed time, just say its part of the game/activity.  Or just casually bring it up.  If its time for a meal and shes playing with stuffed aniamals or something (lol sorry idk what 2 1/2 year olds do).  Then just ask her if her stuffed animals are hungry too, and maybe she'll bring one or two to the table and eat with them.  Just try to play along with her when its time to do stuff she doesn't enjoy a whole lot.   Good Luck!! =)

Answer 5

I agree, keep play in the transition.  Also, children have an immensely hard time tearing them away from something they're engrossed in.  Give her a heads up like "We can play the game for a little bit more, then we'll have to....." or at the park "One more slide, then we need to go".  

Reverse psychology works on my almost 3 year old, and has for months.  When she doesn't want to brush her teeth, we'll say in a teasing voice "Hmm...I'll bet she doesn't know how" or "Nooo...you can't brush your teeth, it's my toothbrush".  She laughs, and says "Yes I caaaan" and runs.  Works a lot of the time, especially when her daddy does it.