22 Months olds... out of control!

I give up. My twins are more than a handful now, and I'm afraid I'm not coping well.

They have just learned to climb out of their Playden (a large enclosure that keeps them safe in the living room) and will do it even when I sit right next to it and tell them "No!" OK, so I give in and they're in the living room. Next forbidden activity: Touch buttons on the entertainment center or TV. Again, a "No" just earns a defiant look and continued activity.

So they get a time out in the only safe place left - their cribs (with crib tents, of course). Five minutes later I take them back out and the misbehaving resumes! This can include taking their clothes and/or diapers off so I have to get them out of the Playden. And if I leave them in their cribs too long they'll do likewise!

This week the weather has been really bad and they have not been able to spend much time outdoors, which really makes a difference. But they can't always be outside - so what am I going to do?!

How long will this last? (Don't tell me forever, please). Any ideas?

DeLana

 

I give up. My twins are more than a handful now, and I'm afraid I'm not coping well.

They have just learned to climb out of their Playden (a large enclosure that keeps them safe in the living room) and will do it even when I sit right next to it and tell them "No!" OK, so I give in and they're in the living room. Next forbidden activity: Touch buttons on the entertainment center or TV. Again, a "No" just earns a defiant look and continued activity.

So they get a time out in the only safe place left - their cribs (with crib tents, of course). Five minutes later I take them back out and the misbehaving resumes! This can include taking their clothes and/or diapers off so I have to get them out of the Playden. And if I leave them in their cribs too long they'll do likewise!

This week the weather has been really bad and they have not been able to spend much time outdoors, which really makes a difference. But they can't always be outside - so what am I going to do?!

How long will this last? (Don't tell me forever, please). Any ideas?

DeLana

 

my nephew is like this, he is totally out of control, he is 23 months old.

My sister tries so hard to control him, he just laughs at her when she says no.

he wrecks everything, which is why we cant buy him new toys.

its not really their fult hunny, its the way they have learned when growing up, you have to make sure they know who is the boss.

maybe introduce the naughty chair, my girls have it, it took about two hours for them to learn what it was for, they wernt very happy and it was a long two hours, Balie fell asleep on the chair, but atleast they know now that when they are naughty thats where they are going. and they dont like it.

 

DeLana, I feel some of your pain! I started Magic 1-2-3 and started counting them (they count 2-3 as soon as I say 1 and it's hard not to laugh) and I say time out if I get to 3 and if they keep going I strap them into their feeding seat facing away from all action and set the timer for 2 min.....

I like the Magic 1,2,3 book!

 

My guys are the same age as yours so I KNOW exactly what you are going through at this age!!!
This definitely seems to be the point where they test all their limits (and yours!) and the whole world is one big science experiment (mmmm, what happens if I do this to that???...) And then you double that...

The only way I have found that helps is to limit as much as possible anything that is a "no no don't touch". So that means our LR is really their playroom, any room that is off limits has either a gate at it or one of those doorknob guards on it, and the kitchen is totally child-proofed. They are so active now, that the more places they have to run around and play in, the more content they are and the less crazy I am!!

Just my two cents!

 

Mine are 27 months old and still out of control. It's part of being a toddler, exploring everything, into everything, ect. They definatly need to be outside, or have a large area they can run around in - I find this helps a lot. As for the diapers, I still put mine in onesies to keep their diapers on (carters makes size 18 and 24 months). I have also found that mine get more upset when they are confined in an area. You might find they are happier if you give them more room to play and remove the "playden" and childproof the house some more so they can explore more places. It's harder on you, but it will make them happier which in the long run is easier for you!

 

quote:
Originally posted by Stellaluna:
My guys are the same age as yours so I KNOW exactly what you are
The only way I have found that helps is to limit as much as possible anything that is a "no no don't touch". So that means our LR is really their playroom, any room that is off limits has either a gate at it or one of those doorknob guards on it, and the kitchen is totally child-proofed. They are so active now, that the more places they have to run around and play in, the more content they are and the less crazy I am!!

Just my two cents!


My heart goes out to you. It is a tough stage, and they test, test, test. But I wholeheartedly agree with Melissa. That is the only advice I have to offer. That and a big 'ol

 

quote:
DeLana, I feel some of your pain! I started Magic 1-2-3 and started counting them (they count 2-3 as soon as I say 1 and it's hard not to laugh) and I say time out if I get to 3 and if they keep going I strap them into their feeding seat facing away from all action and set the timer for 2 min.....

I like the Magic 1,2,3 book!


Ditto! We WILL be starting the Magic 123 probably in the next month or so. This is SUCH a DIFFICULT AGE!!!

Let me just say that it will end AND you will forget it, otherwise, NO ONE would have more than one child!

 

My girls are a little younger, but advanced verbally, and they are really into circles. In the book "Shepherding a child's heart" the author talks about the "Circle of obedience." When the child is NOT misbehaving, talk about the circle. "When you do what mommy say, you are in the circle. When you disobey mommy, bad things happen (like timeout and broken toys), because you are outside the circle. Today I want you to stay in the circle."

Then when they are moving outside the circle, I just say, "Circle" and they stop. If they continue, then the bad things happen, like time out, a yelling mommy, sometimes a spanking. When they stop, I give lots of praise.

 

quote:
You might find they are happier if you give them more room to play and remove the "playden" and childproof the house some more so they can explore more places. It's harder on you, but it will make them happier which in the long run is easier for you!


Ditto!

 

My son is at the same stage, I find when he is most defiant and destructive, he is needing more one-on-one time with me. Then he will settle down for a bit, at least enough to keep me from losing my mind.

I have made a point to have special time with his aquadoodle or color wonder, just he and I sitting at the table. I usually let the girls play in thier room while I am doing this. He would also be really happy if we could sit in the rocker and read a bit.

Baby Einstien works to settle him/them down for a bit too.

 

Mine are right there with yours! I have to resort to sticking them in the cribs or pack n play downstairs just to regain my composure and not scream. My 2 could be worse but still this *2* at once is so overwhelming

 

Thank you all, I'll try some of the suggestions. Fortunately, the rain has ended and they have been able to spend time outside (we have 3 1/2 acres for them to explore!) This has made a big difference.

I guess they don't call it the Terrible Twos for nothing

DeLana