Typically Happy 16-Month-old Becoming Angry

It's actually fairly typical for a child that age to suddenly become terrified of his bath. Try two things....fill the tub when he's busy doing something else, then bring him. The noise of the water might scare him a little. The other thing is drain the tub after he's gotten out and left the bathroom. Sometimes kids worry that if the water can go down the drain, they can too.

As far as the tantrums go, ignoring is the way to go, but first let him know that you hear him. Tell him, "I see that you're mad right now because Mommy turned off the TV. But I can't understand you when you scream and cry. Come and tell me when you're ready to do something with Mommy." Then walk away and let him have his tantrum. Validate his feelings, but refuse to listen to him when he's having a tantrum. Same things goes when he does get more vocal and starts whining. Make sure he knows that you'll listen to him when he's ready to talk to you in a nice voice. My daughter is also 16 months old so I know how it is!! Good luck, I'm sure you'll raise a wonderful boy.

I haven't had a 2 yr old in some years, but this takes me back! Welcome to the terrible 2's. Yes they can start early! The best I can tell you is stay constant. Even if he is trying to communicate acting out isn't the way to solve the problem. Just make sure to try and show him other ways to deal with his frustration. Like if you see him "going" that way have him take deep breaths with you. My son had anger issue's and between the breathing and counting he could bring himself down.

Try the book or DVD called "The Happiest Toddler on the Block" -- the DVD gives good tips and it's short (I think it's less than an hour long) and then if you wanted to really delve into it, you could get the book. I just watched the DVD, and it was really helpful. The basic concept is that your toddler is a little caveman and he's trying to communicate, but he responds best to you when he knows you understand him, so you need to learn how to talk like a "caveman" back to him. It sounds like it would address the problem you're having with your 16-month-old suddenly throwing fits.

There is no need to watch a tantrum, send him to his room! When he is ready to "tell" you what he needs then he may come out. I have used this on my Girl since just before she was 2. Now when she gets angry I ask her "do you need to go to your room" it is usually followed by a big whiny "YES!" so she heads that way, soon she is either sleeping or coming out for a hug and tells me what she wants/needs.
As for the bath it is a phase, kids especially in the winter really only need one or two baths a week, so pick a day he is willing and go for it.

Hi J.,
I don't have much advice because I'm in the same situation. My 20 month old is the same way. The best thing that I can say that I do is I get down so I can sit face to face with him and I try and calm him down. I usually say that Mommy can't understand you when you are crying. Usually I can get him to calm down and sometimes I can figure out what he wants. It doesn't always work but it's better than nothing. Good luck.
Chris

J.~
I am not much help either I have an almost 15 month old that is doing the same thing. He just got over a cold so I was blaming that but it hasn't stopped. Nothing seems to help. I would just keep on trying and try to get to his level and talk to him calmly. Stay calm!! I hear that works.