8 signs your toddler has hit the terrible twos
No doubt youโve heard the talk about the challenges of parenting a two-year-old. But how do you know if youโve actually arrived in the land of the terrible twos? Here are 8 tell-tale signs to look out for!
The terrible twos is something most toddlers go through as they start to gain some independence. Sure they are heavily reliant on you but they also want to do more things for themselves.
At this age children are also undergoing major motor, intellectual, social and emotional changes. Theyโre keen to do things on their own, their vocabularies grow and they start to question certain rules.
But because they arenโt able toย move as fast as theyโd like or communicate their needs, they often feel out of control. When this happens they can get frustrated, chuck tantrums andย misbehave.
1. The wrong plate
Who would have thought it, but the wrong colour of plate or cupย that you place your childโs lovingly prepared food or drink in can literally ruin their day. You might even find yourself with some Weetabix thrown into your hair.
2. Crackers
All of a sudden they realise there are choices available in their life, so they LOSE THEIR MIND when you say that they canโt eatย crackers for every meal (insert preferred food of choice here).
3. Itโs MINE
Any item in their sights is theirs. If they had it once, itโs theirs. If they want to use it, itโs theirs (even the slide at the park is theirs it seems). That sandwich youโre about to put in your mouth? MINE!
4. NO!
Every boundary that you so carefully constructed to keep them safe and well is pushed to the limit. Even asking them something that you KNOW they will want to do (like โshall we go to the park?โ) might be responded to with a firm NO.
5. Independence
All of a sudden they want to do everything themselves. Even things that they have not quite mastered yet, like drinking from a cup without a lid or brushing their own teeth.
They may also decide now is the time for them to be doing whatever their older siblings are doing. Usually this involves them carrying around a backpack filled with all sorts of random things โ everywhere you go.
6. Whack!
Communication is still limited, so generally involves hitting, throwing or biting to get their point across. If the same thing happens to them (for instance in a play-date situation) they will be frightfullyย appalled.
7. Yuk!
Things that didnโt bother them before suddenly do. Food colours, textures and types become BIG DEALS that can lead toโฆ..
8. Waaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Tantrums can occur daily or even hourly in some cases. The smallest thing can set them off and nothing you do seems to settle them down.
Usually they will save the worst of these for the sweets aisle in the supermarket, or the public toilet at the library.
Sure itโs no picnic trying to parent a two-year-old, but they wonโt be like this forever. The key is to try and stay calm and avoid challenging situations, like taking them shopping at nap time.
Grab a copy of our Healthy Kids eBook!
Looking for somethingย to feed your kids that they wonโt turn their noses up at? Grab a copy of our Healthy Kids eBook for loads of delicious kid-friendly recipes!
There are recipes for babies, breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas, and even treats for kids parties. All the recipes have been designed to be cooked in around 30 minutes (although a few take a bit longer with freezing or cooling times).
