Terrible 2.5s

[judecorp]

We have entered a new world of Punk over the last week or so and I have to admit I am not crazy about it. Sure, she is still adorable, and wonderful, and so sweet when she says, "Mama, I love you. You're my favorite Mama." But she is fighting hardcore against limits, and it is driving me bonkers.

Her newest trick is to say no and refuse to do something she's asked to do. You'll probably laugh or something, but really, up until a week or so ago she was a ridiculously compliant child. She would pretty much do anything I asked and was really helpful around the house. Now she still likes to help... but on her terms. She had no problem "helping" me fold the clothes (one of her favorite things ever), but flat out refused to put away a toy. And by "flat out," I mean throwing it on the floor and saying, "Nooooooooo," which earned her a "You do /not/ say no to Mama" and a trip to bed with no bedtime story. Good times, good times.

I don't know if it's the dreaded "half year" or the day care switch, but I don't like it!

Comments

[sassywoman.livejournal.com]

Emma is generally compliant too but around that age she started testing her limits. Now when she tells me no to something I ask her if she wants me to turn the TV off (if it's on) or if she needs a time out in the hallway and she says, "NO" and will do what I've asked her about 90% of the time. She's tested the limits already and she knows that I will follow through so it does get better if you stay consistent. Punker will realize that you mean business and will stop pushing in time. Hang in there!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Phew! That's good to hear.

She lost dinner-prep TV earlier in the day, and then bedtime story this evening, all for the NOs. We don't really do time out here because Punk pretty much thinks the idea is fun and she asks for time outs all the time. (There is a kid at day care who gets a lot of time outs.)

[sassywoman.livejournal.com]

Keep with it! It really doesn't matter what you do (time out, taking away things etc...) just stay consistent and do what works. She is smart and strong willed and is probably having fun watching you wiggle with her "no's". Stinkers!

[spleazeball.livejournal.com]

What is up with that? Javi loves them too.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

We made weird kids.

[kaleidoscopeeye.livejournal.com]

I tell the kids that if they can't help clean up, I can find other kids to give their toys to that would appreciate them and clean them up at night. :) That gets their attention.

[tea-soaked.livejournal.com]

Uh oh - I'm like 2 months away from 2.5.

[spleazeball.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I think it's natural, but girls hit it a bit later than boys. Javi has been flat out refusing to do things I tell him for a few months now. He either totally ignores me or he'll do the "Nooooooooo" thing or he'll throw something or hit something. Now, it's not all the time, but like you say it's on his terms. He helps when he *wants* to help. When he doesn't want to, forget about it.

Kids!

[katishna.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. Laurie is in that "terrible twos" phase, which I refer to as the bitchy years. Drives me nuts but i still love her.

[yip95.livejournal.com]

oh yes. that. sorry you've joined that club. :P

We try to do natural consequences and have a 99% no-tolerance policy when it comes to throwing toys/things. If he throws it, it goes "away for later". He's learned pretty quickly that throwing is not an acceptable way to express frustration (we teach him "frustrated noises and words", which of course leads to the statement from him - "jesus christ is mommy's frustrated word. oy vey is zachary's frustrated word!" I guess I need to watch my mouth more....).

Not saying it makes him not do it all the time, but if he chooses to throw something and we put it on a shelf, he only fusses about it for a second and then it sobers his tantrum.

Hope you find something that works for you guys. and, really, they'll all grow out of it in a year or 2...and then they'll find bigger and better ways to throw a fit! "You never let me to anything! You're the meanest mom in the world!"

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Punk doesn't typically throw toys. In fact, she doesn't typically do anything. She's always been a ridiculously compliant child. I am not complaining!

She does have a hard time with saying "no" all of a sudden, though - but I have no problem 'helping' her do the things I want her to do. Even if that means helping her bend down to pick something up. Usually it's not an issue. Usually.

I think (hope?) she's just experimenting. I kind of liked having a ridiculously compliant child!