terrible twos

[Barney's pal]

I have a friend who lives abroad with one child, two year old boy. Recently she emailed me and said that every time they go out to the shops or market he kicks up a fuss and says, buy me this, buy me that, and when she says no he is so furious that when they get home he grabs anything to hand and throws it, he broke a cup and plate the other day. Also when she gets home from work he searches her bag for sweets and when there isn't any he hits her and screams. They live in Madagascar, and there income is very low, so every penny goes on food and essentials. I wonder if because I have sent a few toys for him, do you think this has made the problem worse? She wants my advice, can anyone help please, I don't know the best advice

[mountainboo]

Hi, I wouldn't have thought that your gifts would have made a difference to his behaviour. Unfortunately, this is very characteristic of toddler behaviour and my son will shortly be entering this turbulent phase of life.

It is important to reward the good behaviour and ignore the bad, unless it becomes unacceptable in which case it is a good idea to try 'time out'. This would involve removing the child from the situation so that he can calm down. Perhaps putting him in a room where he cannot harm himself or cause damage and close the door and walk away for a maximum of 5 minutes at a time until he is calm again.

x

[Barney's pal]

thanks, I appreciate your advice mountainboo, I think you mean something like supernanny does with the naughty stair. this is a good idea, and I will pass it on. Only today my 15yr old daughter stormed off when I said I wouldn't buy her some tops from the Topshop website. Unfortunately she's too big for the naughty Stair!!

[mountainboo]

Lol... I have it all to come, apart from the topshop thing ha ha.

Good luck with your friend