so when exactly are the terrible twos supposed to start?

shockandawe · #1 July 13th, 2011, 06:50 AM

We're on our third tantrum of the day already, and I've had to clean up a whole roll of toilet paper.

When are the terrible two's supposed to start? Cuz I think if we're not already in them, we're at least flirting with them over here!

Mama2Owen · #2 July 13th, 2011, 06:53 AM

One of those days, huh? Hang in there, mama!

My DH joked this weekend that Owen was in the terrible ones and maybe we'd be lucky & he'd skip the terrible twos. I didn't have the heart to tell the poor man any different. LOL

Jule'sMomInOR · #3 July 13th, 2011, 06:57 AM

They started for Juliana at about 10 months.

#4 July 13th, 2011, 07:19 AM

The sympathetic side of me says "Im sorry, it will get better, Kaileigh does throw some tantrums but their not that bad, and I usually end up laughing at her, which I know I shouldnt do".

The evil side of me says "If you think 1's are bad, just wait until the 3's

"

preciousgiftsmama · #5 July 13th, 2011, 07:30 AM

Believe it or not, my twins never ever had the terrible 2's, or one's or 3's, or nothing

I could not understand what people talked about. They never threw tantrums or talked back. IDK except that I was extremely blessed with my twins personalities.

Julia on the other hand decided to start hers around 18 months (I think) and make sure that she threw enough spoiled tantrums for all 3 girls combined

Ty shows no signs of terrible 2's yet. He will get mad over things but nothing like Julia did. I hope it stays that way!! Whew my little princess was a handful there for a few years!!...yes years...

Daffodil · #6 July 13th, 2011, 08:03 AM

Arie has been getting difficult too. I don't mind if she has a random meltdown over nothing at home, but its super embarrassing in public, and the worst is when I need to pick her up and she is using every single one of her muscles to get down.

sfarrow3 · #7 July 13th, 2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiX2Momma

The sympathetic side of me says "Im sorry, it will get better, Kaileigh does throw some tantrums but their not that bad, and I usually end up laughing at her, which I know I shouldnt do".

The evil side of me says "If you think 1's are bad, just wait until the 3's

"

BLAHAHA girl I do the same thing...CRACK UP at her...I know I shouldn't but its so cute right now because she is so little. London will scream and throw herself on the floor then she will bury her head in the carpet and cry. Such a drama queen!

Wifenmomalwys · #8 July 13th, 2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiX2Momma

The evil side of me says "If you think 1's are bad, just wait until the 3's

"

Oh so true!!
Kaylee has her tantrums too. She already arches her back when she is mad.

I think I will have my handsful with her.

AmandaEliz · #9 July 13th, 2011, 08:19 AM

The terrible 2's started in ernest for Ethan at about 18-20 months. I think he was about 19 months when he screamed "NO!!!!!" and threw a plate of chicken pot-pie on the floor because he didn't want to sit down & eat dinner with us. I put the "Terrible 2" pin on that particular incident... although Ethan has always been a little strong willed & a bit defiant.

Daffodil · #10 July 13th, 2011, 08:42 AM

So BTDT moms...any advice on dealing with the terrible 2s and 3s?

AmandaEliz · #11 July 13th, 2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daffodil

So BTDT moms...any advice on dealing with the terrible 2s and 3s?

Try to NOT kill them...

On a more serious note...

Be consistant.
Pick your battles (do you REALLY care that she only wants to use the Tinkerbell fork at every meal?) I try to save my battles for important things.
Make sure your DH is on the same page. Nuff said.
Give them little things they can make decisions about (Lightning McQueen plate or tractor plate)
Let them "help" when it's appropriate/safe, even if it slows you down a bit.

#12 July 13th, 2011, 10:10 AM

a lot of what Mandy said, and number 1- remember it wont last forever. I found myself having to repeat that a lot!

Also, give choices, dont ask what they want give two choices on things, and let them make a decision. That also goes for clothes (Kaitlyn always wanted to pick her own but if I gave her this or that, it let her have a say in it. Find a reward system that works, compliment on good behavior, and less on bad behavior. Find a system that works for bad behavior, whether thats time, going to a corner, ect...

Of couse, Im talking about age 2 and up. Each parents just has to use what works for them. We had to try several different things before we figured out what worked. Using the 3,2,1 count method worked good for her, and her punishment was sitting on her bed in her room until she calmed down.

shockandawe · #13 July 13th, 2011, 10:52 AM

Shannon and Mandy, I'm lmao over here.

Honestly the tantrums weren't that bad at all - and even made me smile a bit like you talked about. But I realized that it's starting. She's had a few lately. She's just being normal and starting to see where it will get her. I've always seen that streak in her eye. And even now, she's very much the kind of kid who looks at you sweetly with one hand doing tricks while she's really getting into trouble with the other hand. I just thought it was funny that we were getting them back to back to back this morning.

sfarrow3 · #14 July 13th, 2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandaeliz

try to not kill them...

On a more serious note...

Be consistant.
Pick your battles (do you really care that she only wants to use the tinkerbell fork at every meal?) i try to save my battles for important things.
Make sure your dh is on the same page. Nuff said.
Give them little things they can make decisions about (lightning mcqueen plate or tractor plate)
let them "help" when it's appropriate/safe, even if it slows you down a bit.

^^^yep! Yep!!!

alinne1026 · #15 July 13th, 2011, 06:50 PM

Since I have a toddler who started the terrible 2's around age 1, I found that it was mostly due to an inability to verbalize her needs. Now that she's a good talker, the tantrums have been cut in half! She still rages when things don't go as planned but I can at least ask her to spit out what's bothering her and try to reason with her.

With my oldest, she was the easiest baby and toddler but we went through what we called the 'frustrating 4's'. It was actually really tough because she just was so contrary and disobedient...she still is a bit bull-headed but it's gotten better and she's truly a joy.

Kellen - well, he's fairly even tempered but seems to be emotionally hyper-sensitive (dh says he gets it from me). If his sister acts like she's yelling at him, it's instant sobbing. If he thinks someone is leaving the room and not taking him with them, instant sobbing. If you don't tend to his needs immediately, total meltdown. Unlike Kaila at his age, he's not having falling on the floor throwing tantrums and turning purple but I think we have a crier on our hands for the forseeable future (albeit a cute one)

. He's got an amazing sense of humor though!