Terrible Twos? Don't worry, you're not alone!

Terrible twos? Why age two specifically? I’ve had days, no months, of terrible threes, fives and terrible sevens!

So what has your experience been? What’s the worst thing your two-year-old has done with his/her new-found freedom?

Here’s a few disasters I’ve either experienced, or have had friends experience:

• Bag balm all over himself and the carpet (if you’ve never seen bag balm, think Vaseline in the way of greasiness and the doesn’t-come-out-of-carpet-ness
• Running circles around the kitchen table while spitting milk from her sippy-cup all over the table, floor and walls
• Scooting his high chair to the kitchen counter, where he located a magic marker and exercised his artistic ability on the refrigerator, stove and cabinets
• Finger painting…with poo! (and I’m not talking about the yellow bear)
• Two words: Self haircut!

It can sound kinda funny when it’s not YOUR two-year-old, huh?

What’s the solution?

You’re asking me?

OK, as an experienced mother of 4 children who have been through (or are now going through) the terrible two’s, I will share an inside secret to solve all of these behavior problems.

THERE IS NO SOLUTION!

Well, what I mean is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to every child or every problem.

It takes time and patience.

Your child will not only grow out of this phase, they (along with you), will learn their way out of this phase.

The important thing is that right away you are setting boundaries that let your child know what is and what isn’t acceptable behavior.

After all, they’re new at this too. They are just testing the water.

I mean, why wouldn’t creating a work of art with your feces be a good idea? No one has told them otherwise!

Tantrums need to be nipped in the bud. If you address this behavior at home they will still try it in public. But the important thing is to be consistent so they understand you cannot lie on the floor screaming and kicking your legs at home, at grandma’s house OR at the store.

Whatever your discipline method, you’ll probably be testing it at its fullest at this point. The important thing is that you are consistent in your response.

Speaking of tantrums, I WILL share a family secret. Seriously, this time.

It seems to work like magic, like a flip of a switch.

When our children throw themselves on the floor in a fit, water is the solution. Get a spray bottle and a gentle “get up” along with a squirt in the face is all they need to get the message.

I know, it’s unorthodox , but it works.

In my experience, there are some children who never go through the “terrible” part of the “two’s.” Some children are just blessed with an amiable personality.

I’ll admit, I’ve had a couple of those children. They are delightful and enjoyable all through this age. Yes, I’m bragging.

If you haven’t been so lucky, well…

When you “signed up” to be a parent, you knew that patience was part of the deal, right?

You must be steadfast and immovable in your methods and discipline. But please don’t forget – he/she is just a child. Children are going to do childish things.

Be patient, be forgiving, be consistent and enjoy this time in their life. And someday, maybe even tomorrow, you’ll look back and laugh at these crazy things they’re doing.

They really are cute, aren’t they?