Need Some Advice - Story City, IA

Hi Kim!
Yes, the terrible two's have set in. What joy!! LOL!! She's trying out independence and how far she can push you. The ultimate key is consistency on your part. However you decide to handle it, do it consistently. It'll be hard, but you've got to do it. They learn from repetition, both on her part and yours. One thing that might ease this...make a game out of whatever you're doing. Or if she's a little helper, try out this one..."You're such a helper! I love it when you help me! Want to help mommie with (fill in the blank)?" Anything she DOES do that you've asked her to, PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE, and PRAISE again!!! Then she'll learn that she gets BETTER attention when she does something good, rather than something not so good. Hope it helps!

From Mom of four!!
S.

I have a son who turned two in late August and he is doing a similar thing. He's home all week with me and dad (works out of state) comes home on the weekend. He'll listen to me more than he does his father. We're noticing he's aserting his independence and we believe between this and the 2's.... it may be the thing. You're not alone!
One thing we noticed with him that seems to work is to take something away from him or not give him something he wants if he doesn't listen to what we ask him to do. It's bartering with him at this point to get what we want, but it seems to be helping and working (sometimes) with him. An example of this is if he wants something to drink then he make sure he has done something we've asked him to do.... like put away his toys or help clean up his room.... something to that effect. Good luck!
M. H. Sioux City, IA

Kim,

This is a terrible 2 thing... I went throught this with my son, who is now 4, but still wants to see how far he can push me... LOL..

I started a new thing with him. I will ask him 1 time, and one time only, if he does not do it, It is straight to time out for 2 minutes.

It may seem a little harsh, but I find that when he comes out of time out he does it right away, and the next time I ask him to do something he does it. Then I PRAISE him and let him know that I like it when he listens!

Just remember to follow through with what you say, or it may get worse!!

Good luck!
T.

It sounds exactly like what my daughter is doing. She started at about 15 months and is still at it. I hope it ends as early as it started. I could tell her to pick up her toys and she won't, but if her Dad says the exact same thing I said, verbatim....she will do it without a fight. I think it is them testing us to see what we will let them get away with. I think they do it more with us because they are comfortable. I have been home with mine the whole time. Her new thing is to not turn around when I am talking to her....she figures if she acts like she can't hear me then she can keep doing what she was doing. Fun...Fun....Fun!!! I wish you the best of luck.

I think it is. Do you still make her do what you want? I would. Make sure she knows you're the one in charge and that she has to mind you. Sometimes giving them a choice can help them obey. Are you consistant? She's just aserting her independence but it can be very frustrating for the parents. Also, when I try to make my kids do something, I don't ask, I tell them they have to do it. It worked better for us. Good luck!!