Advice For Toddler Behaviour Problems

Are you having toddler behaviour problems that seem to be solutionless? Read this problem and see if there are any answers that work for you.

Question
I have a 2 year old son who at the age ofone was a complete angel! Now he is a terror! There are times that he can be calm cool and collected, loving, and caring but not very often. He hits, he bites, he pulls hair, he yells, and the most recent will run away. he doesn't listen!

I don’t believe in spanking or hitting because I dont want to teach him that it is ok. I have tried time outs and that just makes things worse, I get down to his level and he just hits or spits. I dont know what to do anymore. I have tried reasoning with him, giving him options, ignoring the bad behaviour and rewarding the good.

I dont know what to do anymore, he gets enjoyment and laughs when I say what he is doing hurts, or is bad, it is like he is practicing to be a bully! I am going in for surgery in a few weeks and I definatly need him to be calmed downa bit more.

Also whenever he is outside he is gone! We will go for a walk and he will be good for the first 500 steps but after that he refuses to hold hands or be carried, he just runs, the other day he ran right across the street when cars were coming and he thought it was hilarious I was so angry.


Answer
I think there are some toddlers who are very challenging and do not respond to the usual discipline techniques. When toddlers behave like this it's generally linked to lack of language and resolves itself when the child can express themselves better.

A friend of mine had a son with similar problems to yours and it was a case of trying new ideas out, and just perseverance.

Well done for not resorting to spanking, if you do he would soon get worse. It's hard but you have to see beyond the present moment to the future when he will imitate your behaviour. So if you keep up the calm discipline now, you'll reap the benefits when he gets over this phase.

Other pages that might help with these toddler behaviour problems:

Attention Seeking Behaviour

Toddler Discipline

Toddler Aggression

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