Throwing toys, hitting when mad, tantrums!

Wow. I don't know if they are hitting the "2's" early, or if this is just part of life as twin toddlers. They have recently learned just how soothing it is to throw a toy across the room when they are mad. They will both actually go get a toy to throw if there isn't one nearby when they get angry! They hit each other (and us, occasionally), they throw themselves to the floor and throw some really good fits for 16 month olds, etc.

Are they hitting the "terrible" two's early? Does that mean by the time they are 2 they won't be doing this (ha ha ha)?

I feel like they changed from these sweet, loving, affectionate babies to little blankey-toting hellions!

Does anyone have any advice on curbing the toy-throwing behavior (besides ducking!)? We do 30-60 second time-outs, stern "No throwing" or "We don't throw toys" and give them a soft ball to throw instead. But honestly, they just look at me and smile. I'm not sure that they are getting it yet at 16 months. Or maybe they are just playing me for a fool. :huh:

 

:hug: 15-18 months was so, so hard. We had biting thrown in there too. I was going :crazy: All you can do is what you are doing. We did a lot of re-directing, but even then sometimes they would go right back to what they were doing. :headbang:

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ May 8 2009, 06:54 AM) [snapback]1305396[/snapback]
We had biting thrown in there too.


I have one who does all that you listed, plus the biting too. And it's always at the end of the day, when she is tired. She just bites the nearest thing she can get her mouth on, whether that's a person or a chair or the floor. I have no idea when it stops b/c mine still do it. I'm hoping once they are able to communicate better that it will stop, but who knows.

 

Mine have been known to throw some tantrums just like that and still do. Like Aimee said, we seem to notice it more when they are tired. We just do a lot of redirecting and short time outs when they throw stuff at each other or us. I keep saying to DH, "maybe this is what people mean by the terrible twos, not age 2, but the second year of life!"

 

I have the queen of tantrums over here, I dont want to jinx myself but it seems to have gotten the slightest bit better since she talks more now. Also there are more tantrums when she is tired.

I have been reading Happiest Toddler on the Block, he has some good ideas.

 

ditto PPs. Mine do all of these things and bite also. they take turns being the "biter". Keigin started biting for a couple days, and then she stopped and Kaylin started. Its been going around in circles for about 6 weeks. Now when one is going in for the bite, the other yells "No bite!! No bite!!"

 

Fortuanately (and unfortuantely ), it's normal. My twins were the same way at this age. My singleton, Carys, is 17 months and is the same way. She tantrums, bites, pulls hair, scratches (face rake), pulls off her sister's glasses...anything! The one thing we have all been showing her is "be gentle" and have her rub her sister's face where she scratched, bit, pulle hair, whatever. She'll show us gentle for 5 seconds and then scratch again. We lovingly refer to her as "Monster" and "The Beast"! :lol:

 

Ok, so is it abnormal if my soon to be 11 month olds are doing this? They aren't throwing toys, but they are biting, fighting over toys, hitting each other with toys, getting into anything and everything, and flailing around on the floor when they don't get their way. Oh, and I almost forgot, running around in their cribs, pooping their pants before almost every nap time and bed time, and yelling for like an hour to avoid going to sleep.

Are y'all suggesting this will last until two? Because we may have to ship them to Nigeria or Southern Ohio for a readjustment program.

Jori, I hope your boys start acting better soon.

 

QUOTE(sullivanre @ May 8 2009, 09:10 PM) [snapback]1306356[/snapback]
Ok, so is it abnormal if my soon to be 11 month olds are doing this? They aren't throwing toys, but they are biting, fighting over toys, hitting each other with toys, getting into anything and everything, and flailing around on the floor when they don't get their way. Oh, and I almost forgot, running around in their cribs, pooping their pants before almost every nap time and bed time, and yelling for like an hour to avoid going to sleep.

Rachel, have your boys been calling my kids because mine did the exact same thing at 11- 12 months! I just keep telling myself, "this will pass, other people have survived their children past this age, so it has to get better!"

 

QUOTE(itsnancycozzi @ May 8 2009, 09:36 PM) [snapback]1306392[/snapback]
Rachel, have your boys been calling my kids because mine did the exact same thing at 11- 12 months! I just keep telling myself, "this will pass, other people have survived their children past this age, so it has to get better!"


Yeah, my husband said nobody ever told him about the terrible "ones." Like Jori said, hopefully this means they will get over it sooner.

 

I hear it is the terrible 2's 3's and sometimes 4's. Our tantrums started at 10 months and they are on and off. I am doing the same thing as far as time outs and just redirecting, takes a lot of patience but what else can you do?! There is a book out that is suppose to be really good called 1-2-3 Magic. I am going this week to get it at the library.

 

QUOTE(adia2007 @ May 8 2009, 08:51 PM) [snapback]1306426[/snapback]
and sometimes 4's.



I've heard the 4's referred to as the "Fearsome 4's" or the "Fierce 4's". Fortunately, we just have a very chatty 4-year-old. Hopefully his brothers will follow his example!


Thanks everyone - glad to know that my 2 boys aren't the only hellions around. I just wasn't expecting it to hit so fast!!

 

QUOTE(mama23boys @ May 8 2009, 10:18 PM) [snapback]1306459[/snapback]
I've heard the 4's referred to as the "Fearsome 4's" or the "Fierce 4's". Fortunately, we just have a very chatty 4-year-old. Hopefully his brothers will follow his example!
Thanks everyone - glad to know that my 2 boys aren't the only hellions around. I just wasn't expecting it to hit so fast!!

Most 4 year olds I know are little angels. Well not exactly, but even my niece who has pretty bad behavior is acting much better at 4 than she did previously.

 

QUOTE(sullivanre @ May 8 2009, 09:28 PM) [snapback]1306466[/snapback]
Most 4 year olds I know are little angels. Well not exactly, but even my niece who has pretty bad behavior is acting much better at 4 than she did previously.


My friend's niece is quite the fierce 4-year-old. Kicking, hitting, throwing things, etc. I've heard of a few 4's like that - but not many, thank goodness!

 

We've gone through many of these spurts - you are definitely not alone!! The tantrums and hysteria seem to ebb and flow around here, thankfully. Tiredness and teething both seem to fiercely exacerbate it, while increased communication abilities do seem to help reduce it a bit.

:hug: I know it's hard. So sorry you're having to deal with this!

 

You are SO not alone. mine started a few months back and are still at it but they seem to be hitting US more....which is NOT a goood thing!. I just started reading the Happiest Toddler on the Block and I REALLY hope it helps me figure out the whole disciple thing!