amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

kissygoose · 05-01-2006, 12:40 PM

Sandy has just been impossible lately. She is constantly throwing temper tantrums. If she doesn't get exactly what she wands she throws a hissy fit. If you give her something that she doesn't want like a toy she throws it down or at you. We're not talking a light toss here we're talking she throws it real hard. She does the same thing with her bottle. If she's mad she'll slam her hands down and scream. I swear we're in the terrible two's and sheis only 14 months. I don't know what to do about her. She is constantly doing things she shouldn't and we tell her no and take her out of the situation and she goes right back to it. I think she knows she isn't supposed to be doing it too since when we tell her no she turns around and gives you this I'm into something look before she goes right back to it.

I know a lot of people say she is too young for discipline but I think she's a lot smarter than you think. We have to do something with her. Help.

miraclebirths · 05-01-2006, 01:17 PM

no advice- but would love to hear what the other mamas say....

borntobloom · 05-01-2006, 03:22 PM

You have my sympathies, I know how hard that phase can be! I have 3yo and 18mo DSs who went through the same thing, and *man* was it tiring! And trying on my patience. I guess what I found works best for us is to give them options. Tell them what they *can* do, otherwise I felt I spent all day in a battle saying "No! you can't!" which clearly amped up their rage, too. So I'd try to distract with "Here, you can have this toy phone!" (instead of tv remote he wanted). I also read "Happiest Toddler on the Block" and I found that mimicking (not mocking, mind you) their frustration got their attention and helped them feel understood. I'd say "I know! You are SO ANGRY that you can't have that whatever! And you want it!" Then when he'd calm down and listen I'd say "Can Mama help you find something else to do? Can you help Mama make this puzzle instead?"

Didn't always work, but often it did... and sometimes even a slight reduction in the behaviour was a Godsend.