Terrible Twos

Ohhhhhh I feel your pain!

My DD has a very strong will and I am confused as to what I need to do. I use time out but she doesn't seem to really care when she's there. I've also tried putting her in her room (which as i posted a few days ago ended with her peeing all over her bed on purpose.....) so now I'm not sure. Bargaining doesn't seem to help (I will only use time not food to bargain with eg you have your shower and then we can play on Mummy's bed/do some cooking/go for a bike ride) so what else is there.

She just flat out refuses to do things (such as take a shower or brush her hair, or put clothes on) and I feel like I need to set a precedent that YOU DO AS YOU ARE TOLD!

Older mums I've talked to have said "you need to pick your battles, don't push the issue unless it's really important" but I feel that having a shower or bath daily is a necessity (am I alone on that???) and I'm sick of the tanty that ensues every time I tell her to do it. DD's daycare mum (family daycare) has said she doesn't care if I send her in PJ's if she's having a stroppy about getting dressed but I feel like tha5t's showing DD that she can "win". And I want to be the boss wink

So I'm sorry I can't help with your question, I am at a bit of a loss too! I thought, being a teacher, I would have this behaviour stuff all worked out!! If I can control a class of 30 4 year olds (or 12 year olds) I should be able to manipulate a single 2 year old!!!! roll eyes

I'm on the same merry go round also I have a 25 month girl
I even tried written down simple rules ( seen it on supernanny ) but mine thought it was funny to get a chair and take it down and her and her Sis to attack it ehehehe

But I do have set boundaries and I can tell you it doesn't last thank god my friend her son is 7 now and so well mannered
But if you meet him when he was between the age of 2-3 you would say no way It's the same child
My husbands better at discipline than me and she listens to him I'm totally ignored
But very smart she will give me a hug when I'm asking her to stop kicking her sister and then go kiss her sis then slightly push her to make it look like she fell over on her
So you are not alone smile

Ohhh you poor thing, you are not a whinger. I wish I could say its a temporary thing but even at the age of 3 the tantrums continue.

I found my kids went crazy late in the arvo and never let me prepare dinner without them trying to kill each other, grabbing my leg etc, so now I involve them with the preparation, that may be one suggestion.

I don't think there is one short answer in terms of disciplining a 2 year old. Depends on the situation, when siblings fight demand an apology (even if it needs to done twice) and then find a new game or something they can do together.

Personally I tend to find my eldest retaliates when seeking attention.

As for the sleepless nights, have you tried a chart, for every couple of nights sleep you get a surprise?

Good luck, hope you can try and get some sleep or rest. Hang in there, you are doing a great job!