Ahh, the terrible twos. Parents the world over know about them, some may dread them while others may have more of a ‘bring it on’ attitude towards them. The second birthday of a child is a big deal, it sees them slipping further away from babyhood and, unfortunately, comes with the promise of ‘terrible’ things to come. Leo was showing signs of a temper quite early on so by the time his second birthday rolled around I was a bit of a nervous wreck. With him already throwing regular tantrums and being fiercely independent, I was convinced this next year was going to be hell. Anyway, last month Leo turned three and we have all made it through the terrible twos in one piece! Now that dreaded year is behind me I feel like it is time to reflect and to share with you my verdict – was it really all that bad?
Like all things in life, from the day my boy turned two to the day he turned three, there have been many ups and downs. Would I describe this year as terrible though? Have I spent the year in a constant battle with my toddler? Watch the vlog below to find out what the big t-w-o was like for us.
The terrible twos – was it really so bad?
There you have it. There have been tears, laughter, tantrums and fun. The last 12 months have been challenging and difficult but also heart warming, funny and amazing. No, it’s not been perfect, how could it be? Leo is growing, developing his independence and learning what’s right and wrong – living with a two year old was is no way easy but I wouldn’t describe it as terrible either. The year from 2 – 3 was a crazy rollercaoster ride and you know what, I have a feeling things aren’t going to be much different now Leo is three!
So, is your little one nearly 2? Are you dreading it? Here are my 5 top pieces of advice to help you make it through the more ‘terrible’ side of having a two year old.
* Tantrums are hard, you probably won’t know how to cope with them at first. When you find a method that works for you and your toddler, stick with it! I have learnt that consistency really is key to dealing with a toddler meltdown.
* Cherish the good times and the happy everyday moments, by remembering them it will make the hard days that bit easier. A little reminder that your child is not always as difficult as it may feel in that particular moment really does help you stay positive, even in the most difficult of times.
* Write about it! You don’t have to blog about it, like I do, but just writing down how you are feeling in a diary or notepad can really help you get things off your chest and even help clear your mind of the negative feelings, in turn helping you come up with a coping strategy for when the next meltdown happens. Although, by blogging about Leo’s tantrums I have been given some amazing support and advice, the blogging community is pretty amazing like that.
* Talk about it. Don’t just leave you feelings as words on a page. Discuss them with your friends, family and other half. You might feel alone but you’re not, there are plenty of other parents of 2 year olds out there who are all going through a similar thing to you. A good chat can do you the world of good.
* Remember it won’t last forever. One day your child will have grown out of their tantrums and then one day after that they will be a teenager and you will be in for a whole word of different problems. Enjoy as much of the toddler years as you can, it may not feel like it when your child is screaming on the supermarket floor, but I bet there will come a day when you would do anything for them to be little and 2 again.
Have you got a 2 year old? Are you having a terrible time or is it actually not as bad as you were expecting? Has anyone else who’s been through the horrible toddler tantrums got any advice or words of support, did you think the twos were terrible? I would love to know your thoughts.
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My little prince has just turned two… Let battle commence!! Great tips thank you <3
Thanks for this. Sometimes having a second child helps because it reassured us that challenges and tantrums aren’t about the parenting but about the child! lol! Eldest was a dream and so easy where as I wish youngest had come with an instruction manual and wasnt 3 chapters ahead in the toddler taming handbook, working out how to scupper our workarounds! Thanks for linking with #KCACOLS
Jane recently posted…The ‘real’ Jane Taylor revealed: 25 shocking facts about me
Great post! You’re right, every stage of parenting has its challenges, I imagine anyway! #kcacols
My little one is only 9 months old, but people are already “warning” us about the terrible twos. The way I see it is it’s another developmental stage and is part of her growing as a person, so we will work it out. Remind me of that when the time comes, ok? #KCACOLS
Laura @ Mama, Eden & Me recently posted…When You Feel Like You’re Not Enough
Two was a wonderful age. 16 , now that was hard! #KCACOLS
Two wasn’t too bad – but three, four and now five are pretty disgraceful! 😀 #KCACOLS
I think the tantrums and the terrible twos are just a part of growing up. It’s the little ones trying to test boundaries and adults not knowing what to do! That’s certainly the case for me with my two year old! The tantrums I can cope with but it’s the changing of mind thing that bugs me!! #KCACOLS
I wouldn’t get too excited. I found three to be much more difficult! #anythinggoes
jeremy@thirstydaddy recently posted…You Can Call Me Sir
Taormina seems to go in phases week by week from terror child to almost a delight but she has been having full on throw herself on the floor strops since she was 16 months. Fingers crossed the next ten months till she turns three aren’t too terrible. #KCACOLS
Poppy Reflects recently posted…Change Your Life Now: Why I love change?
Ahhhh this is a good post for me to read as my twins are 20 months and I can see signs of the ‘terrible twos’ already. With my eldest I have realised that all ages have their joys and challenges and so will go with it as best I can! #fortheloveofBLOG
Mindful Mummy Mission recently posted…Where will you be at 4pm this Tuesday? – An Open letter to local MPs
My youngest is 19months old and I can already see the tantrums coming in. Her sister was the same…. 2 wasn’t brilliant but it wasn’t awful. If I’m perfectly honest the worst part in the eldest has been the 4 months either side of her third birthday. Those 8 months were the peak of it all. I think for the most part we are out the other side of it now with her. Time for round 2!
#KCACOLS
Kirsty – Winnettes recently posted…Birthday Cake for the Mother in Law
It’s funny as with Monkey we never really had terrible twos. He obviously had his moments but it wasn’t until we hit the three ager year that we really had to worry too much about discipline. His sister is very different, not yet 2 and her tantrums are immense so I have a feeling it will get harder before it gets better. Great advice here though and I know that it is only a phase and like you say, I know to focus on the good days!
Caroline (Becoming a SAHM) recently posted…Siblings September 2016
Mine has started early with the tantrums too, so I’m not dreading her getting to her second birthday so much now!
#BestandWorst
The Tale of Mummyhood recently posted…Who Needs Sleep Anyway?
Love your advice for anyone dealing with the terrible twos! Nerys is two and a half and we seem to be getting off pretty lightly to be fair. I have a feeling we’ll have more trouble when she’s a little older! x #KCACOLS
Madeline (This Glorious Life) recently posted…Dreaming of a ‘one day’ home.
Our little one is three next moth and I have to say we’ve been lucky because she’s been so good. Any tantrums we had were just her showing her independence . Hopefully the threenager phase goes ok #KCACOLS
My Mum’s approach really helps me. Being a grandma I think gives her a sense of perspective. When faced with Cygnet’s tantrums she says “he’s learning boundaries, he’s learning about frustration, he’s learning language and he’s learning anger”. This isn’t an excuse for his bad behaviour. We are still firm but the perspective helps. Pen xx #KCACOLS
Pen recently posted…“Surely you want to grow old with someone”
Looking back now the terrible twos were a breeze compared to the hormonal 12 year old. #bestandworst
Fiona Cambouropoulos recently posted…Let University Games Take You on a Pirate Adventure
My eldest definitely hit peak tantruming at 2 whereas my middle was a breeze at two he was just lovely, he saved his difficult phase for a bit later. My youngest is just about to hit two so we will wait and see. Love the video. Thanks for linking to #PickNMix
Eilidh x
Mummy and Monkeys recently posted…How to keep the kids active for free
We’re in the fearsome fours but not long before we meet the terrible twos with our daughter!Good luck hehe. Thanks for linking up #bestandworst
helen gandy recently posted…School Trips Away!
Oh hun you are definitely not doing it all wrong, you are a brilliant mum to Leo. I’m sure that all toddlers go through the terrible twos stage, and I’m sure you are fed up of everyone saying it’s just a phase, but he will grow out of it. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
The Pramshed recently posted…Taking a Baby to a Wedding
My terrible twos are far, far behind me and I am now coming up to the enjoyable tween/teen stage! #kcacols
Tracey Bowden recently posted…The Spider, The Web and Me
Loved your vlog – lots of smiles and fun! My daughter is 17 months and it already resonates re the tantrums – it’s really hard and so difficult to know how to deal with it when they don’t understand the words fully yet. Thanks for linking up to #dreamteam xx
Bridie By The Sea recently posted…VLOG: What’s In My Shopping Bag?
My youngest is almost five now, but I remember the tantrums. He still has the odd meltdown but on the whole he’s well behaved. I don’t believe that any of them had really hard times when 2 year old. I always think it’s a key learning time, and they want to start doing things they can’t necessarily master. I always found that keeping them busy and allowing them experimental and explorational play helped. Anyway, sounds like it went pretty well for you! It’s one year, but a key year, in their life. I’m glad I was a part of it whether it be good or bad.
Janet recently posted…5 Ways of De-Stressing