Terrible 2's??

My son is almost 17 months old and hes already throwing terrible fits and getting into everything he's not supposed to.... Is this the terrible 2s??!  Every time he finds something hes not supposed to have, I take it away and give him a toy and he throws his head back arching the back and screams and cries!  He wont let me change diapers without him screaming kicking and rolling away....  He has all of a sudden became very picky when it comes to food... If I let him play outside, everytime I bring him inside he throws his head back and arches back and screams and cries!!!!!!!

Anyone know how to deal with this ???? Its making me crazy!!!!!!!  :)

You should check out the post titled "My daughter likes time out" (or close to that). Someone had some very interesting advice about children this age not being able to verbally communicate despite the fact that they can understand what we say to them.

Children this age have a hard time expressing themselves and one of the first emotions they master is anger. He's either frustrated or just expressing his emotions the best way he knows how.

This age is an excellent time to start the "Uh-Oh Song." There really aren't words, you're just supposed to talk in a sing-songy voice. When your child starts throwing a fit, you simply say, "Uh-oh! Sounds like someone needs to have some alone time in their room. Would you like to walk there yourself or have me carry you?" The key is to have NO HINT of anger in your voice. Once your child is in their room, let them get it all out of their system, to an extent. Screaming, crying, etc. We never let our daughter throw things. Once they're calm (or tired!), get a timer and set it for a couple minutes and tell them that they can rejoin the family (or you) after the timer goes off. Once they're out of their room, be OVERLY HAPPY that they have rejoined you and tell them how much you missed them while they were in their room. Let them know that you're happy to have "calm" or "nice" boy back.

This teaches them how to calm themselves. I know it may seem like a lot for a child who's only 17 months old but it's about establishing a routine. If you start young, they'll know what to expect if you do it consistently (and we all know how kids LOVE consistency!). The calming techniques they learn will last them a long, long time.

We got this idea from the "Parenting with Love and Logic" book and it works well. The second my daughter hears "Uh-Oh!" she knows what to do. We occasionally use it with her still (age 4) when she's cranky from skipping naps or getting up early. Sometimes she'll just head to her room on her own when she's upset.

Good luck!

thanks bier! i love the uh-oh song idea... so far its been working!! and it helps me sooo much :) thanks for ur help!!!

Yep and it starts! He doesn't know how to communicate what he wants so he will let you know! If you take something away, give him something he can play with. If you're just at home with him and he won't let you put a diaper on, let him be nude and help you clean up the pee when he springs a leak- it actually helps to set him up for potty training closer to 2 years. My daughter hates her diaper and does this often and has started using a potty I keep in the living room for her. She's 20 months and she has an older brother who did the same thing! Pick your battles- they only get worse when they turn 4!

hehe thanks ivy :)  i have a daughter thats 8 now and i just dont remember her even having terrible 2's... she was just sooo easy.. guess i just got lucky with her!  :)  thanks for the potty training idea!! i didnt even think of bringing the potty into the living room! that would help alot!  and he sure does love being nekked :) hehe

thanks again!!! im sure it will get easier....... :) hah