Losing the battle!

[Obsidian Rain]

So, I am so frustrated I can't think of anything to do but write about it!! I believe my children were sent to me straight from Satan himself! I can't get them to behave!!! EVERY trip to the grocery store is humiliating because they fight, scream, pull hair, bite, scream, grab, scream, pinch..did I say scream...yeah...they scream. I'm so over it. Apparentely they ONLY do this for me, not DH!! Even when I get home from work...more fighting and screaming almost all night until bedtime. I try to put them in time out, and they go, but they turn around and LAUGH at me. Aghhhh!!! I can't take it. I hate the terrible 2s!!! I'm going to lose my mind!

[Mingle Bells]

:hugs OR We have allllll been there :yep It will pass, I promise.

On a side note, I missed you :luv Good to see you again!!

[Obsidian Rain]

Thanks Min!! I always miss you guys! You all were the first things I thought of when I was at my breaking point today. I was unloading groceries thinking...I need my friends at GZ!!!

[Lilac]

OR, I totally could have written your posts. My girls are getting REALLY bad especially about the laughing at me while I am trying to discipline them. I guess if we can take anything out of this thread...it is that we are not alone. :hugs

[Duck]

Oh, I hate it! Mine have been doing that for a while now. I thing they were about a year when they started doing it. I leave them at daycare or a friends house unless there is someone else with me, and even then I avoid taking them like the plague. My sis and I went to get some last minute things tonight for the trip, and they were terrible! I am so sorry cuz I so feel your pain! Hope they get over the terrible 2's attitude soon!

[zak frost]

Have you tried bribery yet?

[my2cutetwins]

goodness, what is in the water. I remember not daring to crack a smile when sent to my room. Especially when I was little. Mine listen more to me than anyone, but we still have plenty of battles, specially with ds.:friends2

[Amberlscious]

Mine are totally going through this too and we havent hit two yet. All I can say is I hope it doesnt get worse before it gets better.

[Candyland]

Mine still do this and they are 4! I don't like taking them to the store with me but I have no choice. I am usually the one that ends up in tears before the trip is over. :(

[zak frost]

One thing I did when my kids were little was a "good boy" treat. When we got back to the car, I gave them a thing of smarties (American version). It was an instant reward for good behavoir and it wasn't that sweet. Of course, this was before I found out about the dye thing with Q.

[wyndechilde]

My twins aren't born yet, but I have a son who turned 2 just this month. My first step is to make sure he's had his nap, drinks, and food before going to the store. A huge mistake is taking a tired, cranky child shopping with me. It spells disaster. Before we enter the store (or doctor's office, or wherever), I have a very serious talk with him and say "Listen to me. We're going to the store now, and I expect you to be a good boy. If you act up, I'll give you a time out. Do you understand me?" or something to that effect.

Next step is to let him hold 1 piece of merchandise if he gets antsy, as long as he can't damage it.

Finally, if he starts acting up, I use a quiet, but firm tone of voice and give him that "Mom look." It's sort of like a "look of death" that lets him know I'm serious. If he disobeys me after that, I stop shopping and take him to a corner for a time out. I stick to this, no matter how tired I am or how inconvenient it is to me, even if I'm in a long checkout line. This let's him know that I mean business and that he can't get away with misbehaving at any time, including at the store.

On a couple of rare occasions, if the time out didn't work, I have taken him outside and spanked his little butt. I know some of you my not approve of spanking, but I use it only as a last resort, on rare occasions, and I never do it out of anger. It works, and I have a pretty well-behaved child. Several strangers have approached me in restaurants and malls and commented on how well-behaved he is.

The bottom line is, whatever methods you use, make sure you remember that YOU are the boss, and NOT the kids! Good luck, and hang in there! I'm going crazy right there with you!

Mary Alice

[Mrs.B]

Another one in the same boat. Except, mine have worsened since they've turned 3.

[queenie]

:hug

[SnowBirdie]

mary alice,

when my son was little he was so well-behaved it was wonderful! with twins all bets are off as far as i am concerned. i was a teacher, and i tell you i can handle 32 middleschoolers better than two little girls who laugh at us and run away when we call them to us. omg! i don't drink, and it is a good thing, too...lol.:hehe