Sounds normal to me! LOL... but that doesn't help does it. I know DD1 was a great toddler until she hit 2. its like she woke up on her birthday and turned into a little prat!!!! She still has her moments, but now that she is only a couple of months off 3, she is much better.
On the other hand, DS and DD2 were/are shocking under 2's - at 18 months she is driving me bloody batty. DS was the same. He improved after he turned 2, so I'm hoping DD2 will be the same.
Just stick with it - consistency is good, but I agree with Mad - pick your battles. I pick a lot less than DH, which causes friction between us sometimes too. So if you are going to drop some battles - let your DH in on the deal too.
It will pass. Drinking wine helps you get through it in the mean time......
It's tough and you are doing such a good job. I personally think kids try out this behaviour at home because they feel safe enough to do so. There's a positive that I personally choose to dwell on on occasions.
I'm going to be a bit argumentative. I reckon it's probably a combination of the 2yo thing (which yep, is mighty tough! But it keeps being tough regardless of how old they are... you just get more used to it I think!) AND the fact that he's got a new baby sister. I know he loves her and doesn't show any outward signs of aggression towards her but I still think it's a factor.
TBH, with us it was just a case of waiting it out. Nat and Phoebs are fabulous friends now but it has taken us a while to get here. Nat was a different child (not in a good way) for many months after Phoebe was born and I believe it was a case of her needing to adjust and find her feet once again, a reassessing of where she stood in our family. Understandable really - I think it took me at least 6 months to adjust to Natalie being part of our lives when she was born! Everything changed. I loved her but my life was so dramatically different. Do you GWIM?
Short answer, I reckon, is keep plugging. Keep loving him even though his behaviour infuriates you. Try not to outwardly "care" too much about negative behaviours - I find even now with both girls that the tantrums step up a couple of notches if I am not in control of my own behaviour. Take deep breaths and try to stay calm. I agree that picking your battles helps. Nothing more depressing than constantly banging your head against a brick wall. (which incidentally is something I wouldn't put it past Phoebe to do to herself mid-tanty )
In terms of food additives etc, there are some good websites that talk about the usual suspects. That might be a good place to start. There are even 'naturally occurring' troublesome additives, from memory there's one that many kids react to in grapes...
Good luck, babe. Get through by taking one day at a time and don't forget to enjoy the good moments. xx
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It's tough and you are doing such a good job. I personally think kids try out this behaviour at home because they feel safe enough to do so. There's a positive that I personally choose to dwell on on occasions.
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