2 Year Old Teething or Just Plain Attitude Problem!!

You might want to check out the library for the Love and Logic parenting books, just in case it's not just teething. 2 is a VERY hard age for kids cause they're really becoming truely independent persons with their own minds. It can be very frustrating for them because they have little control over the world, and their communication skills are mediocre usually. The whole thing about L&L is giving them as much control and choices as you can when it DOESN'T matter to you. Do you want the red or the blue, do you want to open it or do you want me to, etc. Then when they're acting up, they get to chose to act up and get punished or stop and be happier! LOL. It seems to be working with my guy, and he's only 2 - pretty easy going, though.

Good luck!

I think you are doing great! You are doing everything right in my book. Two year olds are hard(and so are 3 year olds)! If you add cutting teeth into the mix it is just that much more difficult. When my children were in pain due to their new teeth, I gave them Tylenol, too. My oldest had little problem getting new teeth, but my baby has been a nightmare with every new pearly white! Just keep doing what your doing. If she is calming down, then it must be working. I think you are being a great role model for your daughter on how to handle her behavior because you aren't getting angry and hitting, you're showing her that the behavior is unacceptable by ignoring it, putting her in time out and using distraction. She has little self control at 2, so be as patient as you can. Good luck and Happy Mother's day!!

Totally agree with Love and Logic Books. I even bought the Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood book (avail. on their website). Fantastic.

Also, I tried children's Motrin too. It seems to work much better for my daughter than Tylenol, just her body chemistry I guess. I'm the same way. Check with your pediatrician for dosage. She's getting her two year molars right now too, and I can totally sympathize! Argh! But... the Motrin helps... a lot.

Even if this is teething you still have to respond to the behavior. Sympathy is always good while not giving in. I agree with Patricia.......get those Love and Logic books. They will give you the tools you need and help your frustration level.