Help Me 2 Is Bad Age for My Daughter

Time out in the corner (she can even sit in a chair), facing the wall. One minute for each year old they are. My grandaughter is one tough cookie, but it worked with her. Be consistent!

S., I know exactly what you mean...my daughter turned 2 in December, and since then, my sweet little angel has turned into a sweet little devil child!! :P

Distraction definitely works with my daughter! Offer an alternative to whatever she is doing bad, and she will usually stop.

For times that distraction doesn't work, I use the '1-2-3' method that my doctor told me about. When you tell her to stop something, say 'That's 1'...'That's 2'...and when you get to 3, she gets a time out, which is just 2 minutes in her bedroom. It definitely works - after the first couple of time-outs, we have rarely gone past 2!

They are at the age where they are trying to test their boundaries. Just remember to pick your battles, and make sure that both you and your husband are picking the same battles so you have a united front!

The book that really helped me when my sons were 2 is Making The Terrible Two's Terrific, by John Rosemond. You should be able to get it at most bookstores. He has so many great ideas that really work. He has really hard core ideas about TV and toys (which some I agree with and some I don't), but when it comes to behavior, he is fantastic. Problems that you would think are virtually impossible to solve, he shows you how to solve. I highly recommend it. From my experience, two year olds need to be told exactly what you want them to do in simple language. Instead of "don't jump on the couch" try "sit down" You don't have to eliminate "no," but if you don't reduce it and give them positive directions (like "sit down")you'll be saying no all day long and you will have no more hair! Then, as she defies you, say, "Sit down." "If you don't sit down, then you will have--(insert consequence here)." Then follow through. You will have to always follow through immediately and never slip, not even once. If you say there will be a consequence, make sure it happens, no matter what. The same will have to be true for any adult in charge of her. That is the hard part. They could read the book I suggested too.
Simple children's books on behavior and cause and effect (what will happen if I..... Curious George is good for that)may be helpful too when she is cuddly and not misbehaving and nothing is directed right at her at that moment. Good luck. You will make it!

I think the most important thing is to stay calm, don't lose your temper, and don't try to make a power struggle out of it. If you react strongly, it kinda escalates things. You just have to say "no, we don't do that/ you can't have that" etc very calmly and then just move on. Find more appropriate things to distract her with. If she's going to have a tantrum, let her get it out. Give her a safe way to express her feelings (ours is stomping feet; mine always tries to bang her head off the floor and we get her to stomp her feet instead). It's important that they know that it's okay to be angry, but being angry doesn't make mama change her mind.

On the other hand, sometimes you have to think about whether you're saying 'no' to something just because you're tired and frustrated and on autopilot. Been there, done that. Sometimes you sit back after a minute and go, wait a minute, why can't she ___? It is okay to sometimes say mama made a wrong decision, or you used to be too young for ____ but now I see you're getting older and you can.

My daughter is 3, and it seems like she's just as bad as when she was 2...I always try to go to the bathroom and just breathe when my daughter is having her tantrums or being stubborn. It's all a test, and just try to remove yourself fromthe situation psychologically, if not physically...think of something pleasant...(kind of like imagine everyone in their underwear thing). I just try to remember to breathe..ALSO I heard DISTRACTIONS are the best thing...I forget to do it, but when i do, it really works...saying "OOOHH, LOOK AT THAT!!!" and point to something. She'll be so distracted and surprised by your outburst that she'll forget what she was doing..and if she continues "pushing" start picking up a ball or something and get excited and play with it and ignore her..she can't help but want to join in on the fun...
Just my personal advice...

She is testing you!! So let your limits be known!! At 2 yrs old your can start do to things like time out or whatever you deem appropriate as a form of discipline to the response no. Let her know mommy will only allow so much. I have twins and I remember when they started this stuff and its not easy but if you work at letting her know your limits she will catch on.

Do the Supernanny trick - use sticker charts.
Simplify each behavior so she knows what excatly you are talking about...
Naughty chair for bad behavior - give 1 warning only - a child should be required to sit one minute for evry year of life - time does not start until she's calm, tell her this.
Stickers for every hour that she is good. then every moring/afternoon, then everyday, every week etc. Say 10-15 stickers = a special (15-20 minutes)reading/play time with Mom or dad etc.
Don't pull out your hair - they do get over it.

S., she is two. You are the boss ok. She needs to know here boundries. YOu have to be firm. Like a 5 min time out. Anything more is too much. You have to stay there with her. Even if she throws a fit. YOu have to stay firm. If you are out. Take her to the rest room. She is counting on you not doing anything and being embarrased. I have 4 kids and 1 daughter. Showing her you are firm makes her feel safe. What ever you decide stay firm. Even when those huge crocadile tears come. I know I remember them .. LOL. And when she is good. spend some time with her. Reading to her or making something. Show her when she is good, that you enjoy her. When she acts up, you are firm. good luck M.

Oh ya, That's my girl! My little one is 20 months and I love her so much, but she is just as stubborn and determined to get her way as I am (oops) I have learned to be a lot harder on her and it is slowly working. I use time out every time for a few minutes and if she acts out as soon as she is out of time out she will go right back (only for a minute or two) My little on laughs at me every time I say NO :( So I have learned to use action as well as words. If I say NO and she continues she is removed from what ever she is doing and if she gets mad off to time out! It sucks to have to do that, I want to be nice mommy but. My little one is just like I was and I KNOW she is testing me, so I got to keep it up and slowly she will see! Good Luck

i know what you mean. my son is also 2 and he is very well behaved. but yes he has his moments that are hard to deal with. what excatly is she doing that is driving you nuts. i know for me the screaming was driving me MAD! most of the time all he needs is a frim talking to eye to eye, down on his level. if that doesn't do the trick i out him in time out. we call it the "naughty chiar" he has to sit for 2 min and then he feels much better. then i can make some head way on what i need to talk to him about. redirection is aslo good to solve those crazy times. when she is doing something that is driving you nuts quickly switch to something that you know will grab her interest and most likly she will forget all about what she was doing before.

I can totally relate to you. I have a 2 year old little boy who is driving me mad. The boy wants to climb on everything possible it's crazy. To make matters even worse I have a 4 year old little boy to and need I say more. These two little boys rough house like there is no tomorrow. Needless to say I also have a husband, so I basically live in a bachelor pad with 3 males, ugh. But anyway, I really wish I knew the answers to not pulling out your hair, but I havent figured it out yet. One word of advice is to get lots of gates and just baby proof where ever possible.

Good Luck