Resist/refusal New Behavior 17 Month Old - Tantrums

She's hit the age where she wants/needs to be more independent. I try to do the Love and Logic discipline and they stress giving children choices as often and as early as possible. 99% of the choices will not be important to you (do you want the red or the blue? etc.), but they will mean a LOT to the little one, as they have so LITTLE control over their lives. Teaching them how to make choices now will be super good for them when it comes time to make the important choices later.

Try giving her a selection - 2 different colors of pj's; ask if she wants to put the pants on first or the top. to get her diaper on on the floor or in the changing table, etc. Any little choices you can think of for her to be involved in can help a lot, give them the feeling of control, and YOU still have real control over the situation.

Good luck!

at night, my boys usually just sleep in diapers/training pants. they hate wearing clothes to sleep in, so I make sure their room isn't too hot/cold and provide a light blanket if they want. Then I go in well after they are asleep and cover them with the blanket.

As for during the day, my youngest (who also fights getting dressed) is pretty difficult, but we have the timing set, like you said, a 'game plan'.

I dress and wrestle with him about 30 minutes or so before we need to leave, and by that time, he is usually calmed down enough.

Really though, calm down and walk away if you need to. Dress her on the floor or on the bed so you wont have to use the changing table.

Try and make a game out of it, put the pants on your hand like it's a little tickle monster and play with her with it for a minute. Continue the little game until she is dressed.

Good luck!

I'm sorry, but the downward dog thing cracked me UP!!!! My son does the same thing and thinks its cute (which of course it is), but it can also be irritating to me when all I want is my "me" time at the end of the day. :)
Sounds like a phase where she's realizing she can be a bit more independent and grown up.
I think you should try undressing/dressing her on the floor- like a big girl. I think babies/kids learn much more if they see US doing it. Perhaps get yourself ready for bed in her room, showing her you can take your clothes off and put your pjs on while on the floor, and maybe then she'll want to do what momma is doing?
My son is still ok with the dressing thing, but I think if we run into this problem I'll try the "monkey see, monkey do" trick and dress myself too. :)
Good luck, it will pass. Until then just try to have a bit of humor and understand they aren't doing it on purpose to be difficult, but more like they're starting their move into their own. :)

I know exactly what you are going through. Trust me, you are not alone!!!

My son did and sometimes does the same thing (he is 21 months old). People have told me - give him toys to play with, sing to him, distract him. Obviously I have tried those things!!!!!!

I spoke to my pediatrician about it because he was starting to get really carried away with the tantrums. The dr said that right around 18 months (which is where your LO is) they start to realize that they can have control over some things - eating, going to the bathroom, cooperating. There isn't too much that they have control over - so when they find something they go overboard with it!

Yeah, yeah, yeah..."but what do I do" I asked. He told me it was up to me, but however I chose to handle it I needed to be consistent. Not a huge help, but OK!

So, in the end I do try all of the distraction type things. Some times it works. And when it does I praise him like there is no tomorrow - "what a good boy laying so still on the changing table" "thank you so much for helping mommy get your shirt on/off", etc. Some times it doesn't. When it doesn't, I don't budge. I get him dressed...no matter how much of a hassle it is.

I know what you mean - about trying not to cry!!!!!!!!!! I do cry, not in front of him, but I get so frustrated. We are only human - there is only so much we can do and so much we can take! So, my stress releif is to cry!

Best of luck to you. Just remember - tons of positive reinforcement for when she is doing what you want her to!

She is definately testing you, and probably looking to get a rise or any kind of reaction out of you. My 2 year old does this still, but for awhile it was AWFUL. What i started doing and still do, is simply not react at all and WALK AWAY. Obviously she cant be on the changing table so sit her down on the floor, and leave the room. Granted it may be a pain if she potties on the floor, maybe at least get her diaper on her lol. I think at this age they are trying so hard to be in "control" of anything. that they will resist at what has always been routine. So let her "win" for awhile, and when she sees its not getting any kind of reaction, or fight from you, she'll probably quit. With my son know I try once or twice. then simply put down his clothes, shoes etc Act completely disinterested and start doing something else. Usually within seconds he's chasing me down to do whatever it was he was just fighting! Good luck, terrible twos do start early lol :)

We started having some issue with our daughter as well (she is 18 months now). I realized that part of the problem was that she wanted to put her jammie pants on herself. I also put her Jammies in a drawer she could reach so she can pick them out herself. I've found that giving her options seems to make things go smoother.
I also give her two or three options of things to wear every day and she does not give us trouble getting ready.
Good luck!

sounds like it's time for you to read Happiest Toddler on the Block. That book got me through this difficult (but normal) stage with my sanity intact. My daughter used to do the exact same thing.