He's a challenge!

[soulmama]

J is 2 and a half... and I swear he runs the house most days. :ohmy

He is bossy, pushy and outspoken.. he is much more advanced than L was at this age and he has no qualms about who he takes on.

Is this normal for a youngest child?

Or is it just my little cherub???

[michelle_j_r]

Darcy is 18months and drives me crazy. No idea if it is a second child thing! I doubt it- he is just full on. I should use the word "challenge" more often, usually i just think "pain in the arse" (insert embarrased smilie here)

[soulmama]

Remember his checklist?

http://www.intuitiveparenting.info/image.php?u=66&dateline=1192926917 (http://www.intuitiveparenting.info/member.php?u=66)
http://intuitiveparenting.info/images/icons/icon1.gif J's checklist for today....
1. Wake up 3 times during the night and call out for mum, waking her too - check.
2. Get up at 3am and get into bed with mum and keep her awake - check
3. Run after Liam and upset him as soon as he wakes - check
4. Remove dirty nappy in hallway and drag to laundry - check
5. Wee on bathroom floor - check
6. Empty full pack of wipes and try to clean up mess with them - check
7. While mum is sorting that, run to kitchen and dismantle espresso machine - check
8. Sprinkle breakfast on floor - check
9. Spill full box of laundry powder into washing machine - check
10. Ring the ex on my mobile and chat to him while mum is cleaning that mess. - check
11. Pull clean (but wet clothes) out of the washing machine and leave all over the floor - check

http://intuitiveparenting.info/images/smilies/blink.gif

[soulmama]

Darcy is 18months and drives me crazy. No idea if it is a second child thing! I doubt it- he is just full on. I should use the word "challenge" more often, usually i just think "pain in the arse" (insert embarrased smilie here)
Challenging is a commonly used word around here Michelle! :wink_smile

[Merlion]

I could say the same thing about Dan. He's 2 1/2 and a couple of night ago Jess had cleaned her room up and I woke up the next morning and Daniel and Jess had been playing in her room and he had emptied every single toy box all over her floor and poor jess was trying to pick up her toys and crying because everytime she put something in the box he would chuck it out again.

But Jess is challenging too due to her problems and is very frustrating for all involved.

[Kali]

I could say the same about DD who is 3.5 but really she has been like this for a year. It is nice to hear other say the same about their kids.

[mama_bel]

I don't think it's a youngest child thing, more personality... It's just a stage, it's just a stage, repeat after me... :p

[soulmama]

I don't think it's a youngest child thing, more personality... It's just a stage, it's just a stage, repeat after me... :p
Thanks mum... I'll try!! :heart

Today is his last day home alone with mum.... I'm a bit sad and a bit excited at the same time. :blushing

[Stardust]

Normal. Soo irritating at times though. But great to have such a confident child too.

[Karena]

Yep that sounds like Brock. He gets away with so much more than Harry ever did. I've started having to put my foot down on some things as I can see where he's headed and I certainly can't cope with that in 2yrs time.

May be he's just trying to assert his authority over the other's C. Also I know he knows his power over everyone as he's the "baby" and they "youngest"

[Ethereal]

I think you just described 4 of my 5 children :2lol. That said, little miss blue eyes & curls can throw a wobbly with so much gusto I am afraid. Very very afraid!!!

I think I've written those check-lists before SM!!! :laugh

[Hailstorm]

Sooo I reckon we just have to find the 'Anti Mummy' forum our kids are frequenting and HACK that!!!!!!!!!

Whos with me?

:2lol

[Ethereal]

Not anti-mummy so much as:

"This forum is for the under 5's who want to learn how to be so adorably cute that you can get away with poopy smearing, numerous wake-ups between midnight and 2am and annoying siblings but they get the blame"

:rofl

[Karena]

yeah Kyls, I'm with you on that. Harry's fav is "Mum can't you see I'm busy"

[cherish]

My youngest is a bit like that.. though my eldest (well, the girl twin) is like that too.. I think it's just personality!

[Esther]

All my kids keep me on my toes for different reasons and now that I have a few they seem to do tag team. If it isn't one of them it is another keeping me busy. Some days all I seem to do is break up fights, bf, change nappies, feed older kids, even though they don't want what I give them. Though it is different things than it use to be. I don't get flour over the floor anymore. Usually just drink and general mess all over the floor :2lol

[Natenimiri]

hey gals
My girls are chalk and cheese - Beth was a dream I just didn't know it because i was a first-time mum and watched her like a hawk!
Second one was a dream baby :yesand I thought "there's no way she can be an Aries because they are stubborn and difficult and she is a dream" BUT that was before she hit 18months TODDLER TANTRUMS WOW:gasp! This went on for 2 years where she ruled the roost despite all my experience as a teacher and doing all the reward strategies and positive firm talk. Time outs (I like to call them Quiet Time or Thinking Time) worked until she was a bit older and back-chatted. then i went "what do i do now???" I felt for Mel who said "I am hearing myself yell"! I went from trying to be positive and patient to being worn out and doing all the things I never said i would do - yelling namely, which i HATE http://www.intuitiveparenting.info/images/icons/icon9.gif THEN i found a book FIGURING KIDS OUT. She is the Active Decisive child - they are FRUSTRATED at not being in control and they crave independence. When they are young they can't express it verbally so they throw tantrums. The key is to determine which areas they can have some control over and give them as much choice as possible (EXCEPT where it is a safety issue eg sleep deprivation, refusing to bath or clean teeth, not wanting to eat well, dressing inappropriately for the weather or outing). The books emphasis is to LOVINGLY engage these kids and to draw out their natural positive behavious and to guide them into feeling in control and expressing it appropriately. She says DON"T get into a power struggle with them cause you won't win!!!!!!!!!!!!:gasp HOW TRUE!
The key is to try to redirect them before they go down that path. Just keep repeating the choices then if they won't you choose but usually they will then agree.
BUT THERE IS HOPE - The toddler years are the WORST PHASE so it DOES GET BETTER! My 4 1/2 year old is much less challenging and actually has started to agree with some of my suggestions YAY!!!:hyper
SO HANG IN THERE:) - THERE IS HOPE!

[Nyree]

It's just a stage, it's just a stage, repeat after me...

Please tell me they outgrow it before they leave home!!! :rofl


My 4 1/2 year old is much less challenging and actually has started to agree with some of my suggestions

B (same age) does have times now where she says "see Mum - I'm listening to you now", rather proud of herself. But yeah - I think it's a personality thing rather than a birth order thing.

[Kali]

I don't know why and I am touching wood, but DD seems to be coming to the end of this phase. I really hope so anyway.

[Bron]

agree with bel :) josie isn't like that at all :D the only thing that really gets me is how rough she is with the chickens. she'll learn :)

[soulmama]

I agree... my 4yo is much calmer... but then he's a totally different child. ;)

Now my 7yo and my 14yo....:neutral

Seems to be a rather loooooooong phase! :2lol

[jodiemiller]

I think we all need to reframe this behaviour. Think what success stories we've bred from our own bodies, the power these little people have to get what they want!

WOW! Aren't we clever! :D

[SpringMumma]

My 2nd is also a huge challenge. She's amazingly wonderful and I wouldn't want her any other way, but gosh she's different to her sister - talk about determined! And cheeky! For her, I think it's 50/50 - birth order and personality. Because she's the second we're not as strict with her in terms of boundaries etc, she follows what her (4 years older) sister does and I think she's also just a clever little monkey who likes to push boundaries. But gosh, she's so cute while she does it!! :2lol

[Rinelle]

Ezri is nowhwere near coming to the end of this phase. :)

Who's that book by Nat, sounds like one I need to check out, because you just described Ezri to a T.

[Phoenix]

I repeat the 'it is just a phase' constantly.... I would say normal. It is about finding ways that positively work for both you and your little man. I have just put handle stopper things on my round door handles and that limits the distruction area. If you don't have round handles then it doesn't help much though. HTH (hope this helps)

I too think it is a great thing that B has a strong view!

[Kali]

I agree Jodie! My DD is strong willed. I know this is a trait I admire in women. I know she will be a strong women when she is older. I remind myself that I am raising a women to be reckoned with and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Rinelle]

I love the fact that Ezri is so strong willed. I just wish she could be nicer to people about it! If she asked or wheedled, I could handle it, it's the yelling and bullying that I don't like.

[lindylou]

TICK THAT BOX TWICE! My 'middle' child is the peacemaker ;) Hopefully guiding those 2 high spirits when required.

[Nyree]

I agree Jodie! My DD is strong willed. I know this is a trait I admire in women. I know she will be a strong women when she is older. I remind myself that I am raising a women to be reckoned with and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Ditto to that!

[kateking]

Ollies 2 and a half... Same here!!! He is so bossy I feel quite beaten down by the end of the day! Then he screams LOL (However he has just put his t shirt down over his knees, squatted down, and walked like a duck all around the house so he does have his talented side.)

[soulmama]

(However he has just put his t shirt down over his knees, squatted down, and walked like a duck all around the house so he does have his talented side.)

:2lol J has a similar clown side... he can make me laugh in an instant. :D