Toddler Troubles

[timsmom507]

Gee, I know being a mom is hard work but I never knew how hard and stressful it was going to be. I am a SAHM and my SO works crazy long hours and sometimes doesn't have days off in weeks. I feel like a single mom.

My son is 20 months and doesn't listen to anything I say to him. It might be "stay with momma" as we walk in a park or doing laundry. I live in an apartment and it's in the basement. I might be over protective bc I see other mom's letting their kids run up and down the hall. One time a kid (2 months older than mine) tried to stick a key in a socket! Ok, this is one reason I want to keep an eye on my child. I see other kids his age walking with their parents in stores and through the mall. Why can't mine? I would like to be able to have him listen to me. I try my best not to spank him but sometimes I get so fed up.

My son hits me and bites and pulls my hair!! I pinch his cheeks agaisnt his teeth when he's trying to bite, I grab his hair (not hard) and say I'm going to pull his when he tries to pull mine. He walked up to me as I was sitting on the couch and slapped me in the face/eye. It hurt and I slapped him back on the cheek. I felt so bad doing it but he needs to learn that it hurts to hit. I don't want a bully for a son when he's in school.

He started to climb out of his crib so he is in a toddler bed. I don't know how to put him to sleep besides rocking him to sleep. I use a yoga ball as a rocker and it hurts my back, neck and arms. If I leave before he is fully asleep he gets out of bed. If the door is closed he just cries bloody murder.

How do I get him to listen and not bite/hit/pull hair and how to put him to bed?? Anyone out there have the answers or advice they would like to share?

[mommyofderek]

Apr. 17, 2010 at 8:45 PM

Honestly it sounds to me like your son is a bit spoiled! I would consider taking everything out of his room except his dresser (make sure you latch those drawers shut) and his bed & changing table (if you haveone) and move everything else to the livingroom or a closet of whatever. Don't give him a single toy to play with in his room. Each and everytime he acts a damn food I highly recommend placing him in his room. He won't have anything to do. Let him scream. Who cares. He will eventually figure it out that if he's bad he will go to his room. Is he on a solid schedule? If not then you need to make that happen as well. Do you have a time-out routine? If not get on that too. It sounds like he acts out because of lack of disipline. Good luck mama

[rosadnr]

Apr. 17, 2010 at 8:48 PM I just have to say I have 1 of those too! He just turned 2 a week ago and he's worse. My therapist told me that when he throws a tantrum in public. You need to leave and put him in his car seat and tell him he cannot do this to momma. Etc. But when I get to the dam car he's laughing. I'm not a SAHM but at daycare he's totally different. He just started getting timeouts for not listening. He also hits me. It sucks! I get so mad and cry! Try not giving him sugar. (If u do). Good Luck to you! I wish I had better advice.