How I’m Surviving the Terrible Twos

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    I remember my son’s second birthday very well. It was a Mickey Mouse themed party with the usual cake, ice cream and presents. But I also remember that shortly after his birthday, he said the dreaded word “no.” And then, slowly, his personality started to shine through. The Terrible Two’s had arrived.

    I remember the frustration and mixed emotions I had in trying to handle his outbursts, but now that I am literally in the middle of another Terrible Two stage and on the verge of another one soon in the Fall, I wanted to share with you some ways that have helped me during this stage.

    Teach Your Child Sign Language

    Whenever my child had trouble telling me what he wanted, he got upset and often threw himself on the floor or started yelling or crying. At two years of age, he wasn’t able to fully communicate to me, so one thing that really helped me was teaching him some simple sign language. Some examples we used were milk, all done, mom, dad, eat, drink and more. There are a ton of resources available for baby sign. I personally love the My Smart Hands channel on YouTube. Baby sign is easy to learn and to teach to your child and can make communication easier.

    Stay Calm and Avoid Raising Your Voice

    Getting angry can make tantrum more severe. Sometimes, if my child is having a really hard time calming down, I sit him on his bed and leave him in his room until he is done screaming. Then, I will walk into his room, hug him, and give him reassurance. Normally, he has already forgotten what he wanted and continues on with play or another activity. But let’s face it, sometimes I fail miserably at remaining calm and do raise my voice. This is also a great opportunity apologize to your child. Daily, I ask forgiveness. Letting your child see you be humble and asking forgiveness teaches them to also be humble and forgiving towards others.

    You Do You

    What about when you are out in public? Oh my… this is a tough one because if you are anything like me, you worry about what others will think. Let me offer this piece of advice… DO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK. When you are out in public and your child starts throwing a temper tantrum, remember that it does not make you a bad parent. Many of the people around you know what you are going through or have been through something similar, so they understand. So, what to do? Start by removing your child from the situation and taking him/her to a quiet place such as the bathroom. Hug them until the tantrum stops and offer reassurance as you would if you were at home. Do not give in to your child’s demands because if you give in, then he/she will know that to get what they want they just have to act out and they will get it. Many times I have had to abandon a shopping cart in the grocery store and take my children home.

    Consider Your Child’s Needs

    How to Survive the Terrible Twos- Corpus Christi Moms BlogDuring a temper tantrum, ask yourself… is my child bored, hungry, tired or overwhelmed. Many times offering a snack or a break will eliminate the tantrum completely. Sometimes a change of scenery is needed. If my children have been inside for several days, letting them play outside is exactly what they need. Arts and crafts are also fun to have for this stage. If you search Pinterest you will find a ton of toddler friendly activities to keep your little ones occupied.

    The terrible two’s don’t have to be terrible. Find what works for you and stick with it. When all else fails, know that you are not alone. I’d love to hear some feedback about how you cope with this difficult stage.

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    Angelica C
    Angelica, also lovingly referred to as Angel, is a wife to her high school sweetheart, Oscar, and the young couple finally tied the knot in June of 2004. After struggling with infertility for seven years, they welcomed their first child, Gideon {January 2012}, and in three short years they welcomed Annabelle {2013}, Deacon {2014} and Jubilee {2015}. In the summer of 2016, Angel’s oldest child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which she continues to educate herself about by reading books, listening to podcasts and attending local classes and training events. When Angel isn’t busy tackling home duties and juggling her children’s activities, she enjoys taking self-defense classes at Krav Maga Houston, which she has been attending since moving to Houston in November 2016. She also loves coffee, reading, and meeting new people. Angel strives to live out 1 John 3:16 daily and loves talking and teaching others about what that means.

    2 COMMENTS

    1. I try to remember what it was like whenever I see a mom struggling in public. It’s not easy to be 2!

      • Yes, it’s a rough time. Lots of changes happening, but like I said, it doesn’t have to be terrible. It’s all about mindset.

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