What to do for terriable twos?

Question

my son is going through terriable twos as everyone tells me, the thing is they do not seem normal. He stays up till 2am bouncing off the walls, not matter what i do he WILL NOT go to sleep, he get no sugar after 6pm. When he has a tantrum he is starting to smack me and bite me, i have no idea what to do ADHD and ADD run in my family but the doctors will not test him till he is older PEASE help me on what to do....i am getting so frusterated and depressed over it

Answer 1

i'm really sorry to hear about the trouble your having. my daughter is 3 now and when she was going through the terrible twos and running around, not sleeping i'd give her some warm milk and calm her down by reading her a story and cuddeling her while she drank it, this seemed to calm her down alot. also i found if she had a nap in the day it would keep her up at night so i would keep her busy with activitys etc to keep her from falling asleep and if she still felt the need to sleep while all the fun was going on which was hardley ever i would wake her up after an hour. the more she did in the day the tiredier she was at night then it was a nice warm bath snuggly pj's warm milk and a story to finish her of now she goes to bed every night at 7 pm with no fuss

Answer 2

My suggestion is to, for now, put the ADHD and ADD out of your mind. At this point, the doctors aren't willing to treat it, so you basically have to deal with his activity level as it is. I'm not even going to suspect whether it is or isn't, but what else can you do?

My son just turned 3. Here are a few thing that I've found help a lot. Appropriate outlets for all that energy--make sure he gets at least a couple hours every day outside or at the park, running, jumping, climbing, digging, sliding, running more. Play tag, play duck duck goose, play race to the house. Encourage him to blow off some steam. With my son, I've found this to help his pent up energy a lot.

Turn off the TV for a week and watch his general behavior improve. It's amazing.

I know some people think sugar and energy are related and some dispute it. Personally, I think so. Could you try to eliminate sugar from his diet completely and see if it does anything? (lol, I can say that, but I don't do it either.) And, I also think absolutely no caffiene.

To the specifics you mentioned...About going to sleep. If you don't already have a bed time routine set up, start one. Here's ours as an example:

8:00-8:30 One on one play time with one or both parents. If possible, it should be more relaxed play--coloring, legos, play doh, etc.

8:30 Pick up the toys in the living room. Wash hands and face. Brush teeth. Get pajamas on. Read books for a while. Go to bed.

It's not a cure-all. In fact, my son is upstairs singing right now--almost an hour and a half past bed time. There's nothing you can do to actually force anyone else to go to sleep. Have a consistent, regular bed time and time to get up in the morning. That's all you can do. But, he must stay in his bed...if he comes out, put him back in. If that's been a problem, it may take a while for him to realize that he's going to have to stay in bed.

For the tantrums...walk away the second he starts in. The best thing you can do is ignore them and if you're not there, he's not going to be able to attack you. Let him scream and cry until he's done. Whatever you do, never give in to a tantrum--meaning, don't backslide. If you say no to something and he starts up, walk away. Let him go. Don't change your mind and let him have his way.

And, do something to ease your frustration. Is there someone who can baby sit him for a few hours a week so you can have "you" time? If you're feeling depressed, there's no reason to not see a professional about it. I truly believe that my own mood and stress level influence my son's attitude and behavior--I'm crabby, I don't deal with him with as much patience as I should, he gets crabby, and it's just an all around crappy day.

Sorry, this got long. But good luck! Take it day by day, one tantrum at a time.

Answer 3

My son has ADD and ADHD but he minded.  They do have trouble sleeping and my son also wet the bed until we got him on medication in second grade.  We found it didn't matter if he did or did not get sugar, Kool-Aid, foods with preservatives or not.  We had a long hall and I would have him running up and down the hall in the afternoon to run off the extra energy and he enjoyed it.  He always wanted to do forward rolls, so I showed him how to do them without hurting himself and he would do those up and down the hallway.  Give him things to do during the day that will burn his energy and give him plenty of love.  He just knows he cannot sleep and he doesn't understand why he is different.

Answer 4

When you say he stays up until 2 am is that in his room?  If he is running through the house until 2 am he shouldn't be.  It should be made very clear that he is to be in his bed, in his bedroom at a set bed time.  Period.  I wouldn't tolerate this from my 2 year old daughter.  She can stay awake until 2 am in her bed if she wants but at 8 pm we read to her, pray with her, kiss her and she is in bed.  As for the hitting and biting during a tantrum that is totally unacceptable.  If my daughter even tried that I would give her a hard spank.  I wouldn't tolerate that either.  If you think it is possibly linked to sugar or additives then change his diet.  Give him whole grains, fruits, veggies, but nothing processed.  Also, try taking milk away and see if he has an adversion to milk.  Good luck.

Answer 5

I do feel for you. My daughter was doing that but I wouldn't go for it. Like the first answerer said, it's okay if he stays awake in his room. It may be tiring to you to keep sending him back to his room if he comes out, but do not give in. And do not discuss things either, not late at night. Make sure he is safe. If he leaves his room, take him by the arm firmly, but not rough and say:" Time to go back to your room." Say nothing more. Eventually he will get it. As for the ADD and ADHD. I'm sorry, every child that acts out of the norm is labeled ADD nowadays. If it's not diet related, then it's the age. Force yourself to stay calm around him, giving short directions and then reinforcing the good behaviors with hugs and such. This too shall pass. I know it doesn't seem like it when you're in the middle of it but it will. If you get depressed and you need help, please seek someone. Call Focus on The Family. Their number is on their website www.family.org. They will listen. They have counselors right there and somebody will help you through it. Wonderful people. The best to you.

Answer 6

Well too bad we cant just give them to grandma until they outgrow it, maybe try doing more physical activities with him, like taking him to the park, or just out running in the yard, maybe while you are doing the dishes put a chair up next to you and let him rinse the plastic dishes, try to wear him out before he wears you out.

Answer 7

wow,my youngest was 2 she was so very good and when she had turned 3 omg...war has arrived in my angels eyes! my child is sneaky and sassy!and she's 4 now...

the only thing that has somewhat worked for me is suppernany.com time outs...no matter what.your child is acting normal,though biting and yelling at you are hurtful reactions a mother has to face,but he will grow out of them,he's still a baby and he's wanting to test you in a lot of ways!don't show your frustration and be consistent...that's the key.as for the add/adhd trust me no one will test your son until he's like 6 and in school....take things away from him that he likes to,that works sometimes for me.