Please help me...

Ryan is pushing me to the brink of insanity. Everything is a fight. He throws tantrums over everything. TO does not seem to be working with him. I know part of all this is a reaction to our move, but honestly there is only so much a person can take. We can't take him anywhere because he always find something that he wants and it turns into a giant fight/tantrum. It drives me crazy, because we are always consistent and never give in to what he wants. I am just at such a loss at what to do with him at this point.

When he behaves like this I feel like it reflects poorly on me as a mother and it makes me feel like I am doing a terrible job. If anyone has any advice, please please give it to me. I feel like I am just out of stuff to try with this child. :help:

 

I do not have any advice, I just wanted to give you a cyber hug :hug99:

 

Don't give up, just keep doing what you are doing. He will eventually move out of this stage and if you are consistent~he will learn from it.
Just remember, other people's children have done the same and worse. All kids have free will to disobey and act badly, so don't get discouraged and give up. NO ONe HAS PErfect KiDS! They are just better at hiding thier children's badness

 

:hug99: Trish. I think 2.5 is just such a miserable age for us moms! Mine have been "challenging", to say the least, since Elizabeth was born. I think the change (like your move) and the age is just a bad combination! Can you get them in any kind of preschool program or mdo program a few mornings a week? I know that that is a Godsend for me. It helps for them to learn to listen to another adult that is not a parent and it gives me a break to just go food shopping or have coffee with a friend. You probably have a lot you need to do to get settled in! I wish I had some great advice for you. I feel like we're in the same boat and it's sinking!!!

 

I honestlyt wish I had some advice. My boys are 2 years and 8 months. They often test me daily and everything is a fight...taking them to the store is hard to, since, like you, they find something they want and always have to have it. What I do, and I dont know if this is right, but I strike a deal with them..if you are on your best behavior, I will do this for you...if they are good on a shoppiung trips I will treat them with M and Ms or a small matchbox car (they are like 97 cents). I know that some consider bribing a heanous thing, but at this age, I think it needs to be done for me. I think it teaches them, that they get rewarded for good behavior and nothing for bad, so whats the point of acting bad? KWIM?

ALL kids go through this, and I know I am....just be consistent. Mine, at this exact moment is 'mad' at me for not sitting with him longer when he should be napping. I comprimised and sat for a small amount of time, but apparently thats not good enough. There just needs to be a line that we have to draw in the sand.

 

We're going through the same thing with Gabe! He just had a tantrum because I wouldn't let him feed Oliver any more cheese

I'm doing my best to be consistent. I've had to start giving him TO's in his old booster seat (that has straps) because he won't stay on the step where I normally put them. I will not spank, so I'm just continuing to use TO's and take away items/priveledges. It has to be an immediate consequence (like taking away a toy or turning off the dvd) or else he doesn't make the connection.

I wish I had some miracle advice to offer to you, but at least you know you're not alone. I alternately love and hate this age. It's fun to finally be able to communicate (to some degree) and really play but the whining and tantrums drive me crazy. If you find anything that works, let me know!!!

-Catherine

 

I feel your pain!

Trey is usually the one that gives me more grief. I too am really consistent. But, I find that when I am REALLY calm, he calms down faster. When I am even moderately more upset/angry/frustrated he can sense it and continues on longer and harder. It's not easy, but maybe you can try being super super calm and see if that helps him to calm down faster?