My 17 month old son is causing mayhem is this normal?

Question

My 17th month old son is into everything. He doesn't seem to listen to me when I say "no". E.g. when we are having our dinner at the table, (he has already had his) he rampages round the kitchen and tries to reach up to the worktops to grab something. He also goes for the table and tries to grab something. He will not stay in the livingroom with his toys while we eat. I cannot lay the table cause he grabs the cutlery. He is very heavy handed and bangs things against the fridge door etc. He takes a bit of a tantrum when I take things from him he shouldn't have and I do my best to distract him with something else. I also praise him when he is good. I know he likes it when we play with him but I can't play with him all the time. He sometimes hits me in the face and grabs my spectacles. Is this normal behaviour for his age? It's stressing me out and making me lose my rag and I'm not enjoying being a mum. Please help! PS - He eats well (fish, veg etc) and sleeps thru the night too.

Answer 1

hes at the terrible twos, hes curious as to what is going on around him, of course if he doesn't get his own way he will kick off, you need to be there to help him understand, unfortunately boys can be worse than girls, my son was pure evil!

sit him in a highchair when you are busy so he can see what you are doing, let him sit and eat his tea with you that way he will learn how to be good at the table, if you are on the floor playing with him when he grabs your hair and glasses remove his body from you place him back on the floor and walk away from him, its hard to put up with the screaming but you have to keep your cool, please don't lash out at him as he will only copy, keep to a strict routine it does work and it will get better, mum of 5 well experienced with the terrible twos, good luck

Answer 2

welcome to parent hood!!! my 19 month old is just as bad

Answer 3

Trust all of us when we say that this time is a downer as far was "enjoying being a mom." BUT look at all of the things he's learning! It will pass eventually. Just stay consistent. Don't let him get his way EVER if he's doing something he's not supposed to be doing and he should come to learn this. Mine is 23-months and is just now starting to figure it all out and level.

Answer 4

oh yes. my 15 month old is the same u need to have eyes on the back of ur head

Answer 5

Of course.

Kids will be like this.

Some more than others.

But its perfectly normal =)

Answer 6

Our 20 month old girl is the same & has been since at least 12 months, she's just non stop into everything & I have to eat my dinner in the kitchen standing up otherwise she grabs at my plate to get attention from me. She's only happy when I give her 100% attention all the time & it does get tiring, sometimes I feel like crying because I feel like its my fault for not leaving her to amuse herself ever. I think I wanted to be a good parent so much I went overboard lol.

All I can say is that your not alone, he is doing it cos he loves you so much & knows he can get away with it.

Hopefully they'll calm down with age , fingers crossed hey!!

Answer 7

Yes, i know how you feel my 4th child (boy) is the same, he is now 2 and 3 quarters and still a sausage! But  as they get older they understand more! Just make sure you keep him safe! They can so easily get hurt ! Can you put stair gates up to stop him going in kitchen? We had to lock our kitchen door, he was that bad!

Answer 8

Spare the rod, spoil the child.

Answer 9

I know you love him, but he has to be made to mind.

Answer 10

I only had girls (3 of them) and from what I've seen, boys are a lot more agressive and rambunctious than girls.  Still..... you have to regain control here.  It sounds like you're letting him run the house and act out with all this inappropriate behavior.  17 months is still pretty young, but that doesn't mean he doesn't understand a simple "no".  He needs a time out place.  Probably his crib so he can't get out.  IF he does anything like you are saying.  I would give him a firm, calm, "NO".  if he doesn't stop, put on your catchers mask and shin guards and throw is butt in bed until he can calm down and give it another try.

You can try slapping his hands or whacking his butt.  If you do this in a non-emotional, not out of control manner.... you have to be the one in control.  good luck!

Answer 11

Yes he's acting normal!  Of course he isn't listening, you have to teach him to listen to you.  You can't feed him and then let him run and expect him to stay out of trouble!  Your job is to teach him!  You teach him that hitting isn't allowed or pulling on your glasses!  Feed him with you so he's right there where you can watch him.  If you didn't want to put the work in that it takes to raise a well behaved child, then you shouldn't have had one!  You were foolish for thinking it would all be fun, it's hard work 24/7!  Take some parenting classes and get a clue!

Answer 12

Don't worry, it is normal and should change when your son hits 25 years of age. I say "should"...LOL!

Parenting is tough, and I feel your pain. :D

Answer 13

Sounds like the infamous terrible twos.

Answer 14

Calm Down Honey! Listen to yourself, 17 months old is not at all old, plus boys are usually more active and non mellow, so don't worry, he will grow and mature.

Answer 15

Are you kidding - They are all like that - I thought my son was insane form age 15 month to age 4 seriously -

I joined a parenting group and also took him to a pediatrician (psychologist) and realized "by George this c**p is freakin normal" go figure.

Handle it mama' it'll last for at least another two years, lol.

Although a little popping the hands helped me too.

I had to let the little tyke know that I ruled and not him.

Go on try it pop those hands or that bum a bit............

Answer 16

don't worry, i'm sure it's normal, i know plenty of people who were like that, it will all go away eventually. If this behaviour remains even at age, 4 or 5+ then that's something to be worried about, he'll turn up great. Don't worry and take care.

Answer 17

You seem kind of uptight and he sounds normal. He should be eating at the table with you. When you set the table push the cutlery away from the edge. He isn't a perfect child and you can't make him perfect. Tantrums are part of a child's life, he's expressing himself and as long as he doesn't hurt himself he's OK. Start enforcing the word NO, if he hits you or does hurtful behavior. Pick your battles and go with the flow. Enjoy being a mom, they grow up so fast.

Answer 18

Does he not sit in a highchair? If he does you could give him something to do while he waits for you to finish. Sounds like he is a typical boy. Plenty of walks to the park( with him walking some or all the way). Plenty of fresh air in general. I would ignore his harmful behaivour. My toddler (a girl) sometimes pinches. We have started to ignore it and she soon gets bored. You could never expect a tot to stay in the living room and play with his toys while you eat.........

things will get better. Just dont let him know it annoys you. Good luck.