My dd turned 2 in August and it seems like she has turned into a major brat. I never wanted to spank my children but I have actually been pushed to that point. When I have spanked her, like earlier today, she turns around and hits me and says, "No Mama, I pank you" as she is crying.
We have tried timeouts and she will not stay put in that spot or in her room. Today I switched the door knob on her room to lock from the outside so she would have to stay in her room during a time out. I feel like I have reached a low that I have to LOCK my dd in her room in order to behave. The tantrum throwing and screaming has gotten worse I tried talking to her, spanking, and taking things away like TV and cetain toys. I don't know what else to do. Have I totally lost control of my child?

I have asked friends with small kids for advice and they tell me that I can't give into her and I don't. Also that she has become the brat of our play group. DD is a great girl when she wants to be, shes loving and fun but these terrible twos are killing me.

I'm asking you my fellow mom's for any advice. Thanks!

All I can say is that I have been through everything you have described. I also have vowed to never spank my children but I remember times when my dd crossed the line in her behavior and it seemed like nothing else worked. I did pat her on the bottom a few times. I never pulled her pants down and all out spanked or anything like my mom did to me when I was little. :roll:

The best thing that I learned in that stage with my dd is consistency. I know you already know this and she will push her limits. But you have to decide what you will do and stick with it. If you send her to her room and she comes out - send her right back in. Lock that door if you have to as long as it is only as long as a time out. She may not like it. But if that is the form of discipline that you choose, you need to stick with it. It will not make her happy but she *will* learn to respect you. And, as with all other things, this too shall pass, my friend. Before long she will outgrow that stage and it will all be something new.

[hug]

My little angel went through this stage when she turned 2. We also had to reverse the door lock for her own protection. I was constantly having trouble with her staying in time out and I knew that my temper would only grow the more she pushed it and I didn't want to spank her either..So yes it made me feel like the worst mommy ever, but it had to be done...I think you did the right thing..

Just wanted to let you know, been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.

Like all the ladies here i gotta say been their, done that. I think all mom's can relate. Like Becca said you gotta choose the form of discipline you are going to use and stick with it no matter what. Consistency is the key! I also read a book by Dr James Dobson called the The new strong-willed child. Great book that gave me a lot of pointers! I totally recommend it! BTW you are not a bad mom at all. The fact that you are willing to discipline your dd when she misbehaves and want to correct her behavior makes you a great mom! [hug]

[hug] You are not a bad mom. do you love your daughter? Are you doing the very best you can? Are you praying and seeking the Lord and asking for wisdom...all of which I am sure you are doing. The rest...well like all the other ladies have said...you live and learn and deal with it the best you can. Nothing lasts forever. Big hug sweetie! [hug] Hang in there, keep training and teaching and disciplining. Don't give up...and it WILL get better. You are a great mom! [highfive]

BTW you are not a bad mom at all. The fact that you are willing to discipline your dd when she misbehaves and want to correct her behavior makes you a great mom!
I agree 110%!

My little girl isn't even two yet and she dove right into the terrible twos. She's so advanced...I'm so proud. *SNIFF* :roll: Anyway, I feel so bad when I discipline her, but I've noticed that she is usually pretty obedient as a result. It's for her good and it'll pay off down the road...that's what helps me when I feel horrible.

Oh yeah Abby threw her first tantrum at about 1 years old I think. I remember thinking "she's not even 2 yet" LOL :lol:

I think it's more like the terrible 1s,2s,3s and 4s. I think once they hit 5 they start to settle down. Until they are like 7 LOL (Lis can confirm this right :wink: )

You're not a bad mom! I think the lock on her door is a good idea to keep her in time out. You shouldn't have to go and sit her back down in one place like 50 times. *HUGS*

Oh yeah Abby threw her first tantrum at about 1 years old I think. I remember thinking "she's not even 2 yet" LOL :lol:

I think it's more like the terrible 1s,2s,3s and 4s. I think once they hit 5 they start to settle down. Until they are like 7 LOL (Lis can confirm this right :wink: )

You're not a bad mom! I think the lock on her door is a good idea to keep her in time out. You shouldn't have to go and sit her back down in one place like 50 times. *HUGS*

Uh huh, cept 5 was a BAD year for us...1s,3s,and 4s were so so 7 is a year I'd like to forget...or at least the first half...She's pretty cool now I guess :wink:

You are not a bad mom. My son is going through the same thing (he turned 2 in June). Whatever punishement you do, make sure you stay consistant.

We all have to discipline our children sometimes and yes it does make us feel bad, but it has to be done.

I agree with the others that consistency is the right thing to do. If you're firm one time and the next time they do the something you're lax, then they will be confused as to what is acceptable behavior. I also punish right when something happens. If we're in town I don't wait until we get home to punish him or her. My almost 9 year old ds kept wondering away from me at the mall on Saturday. He thinks he's an adult but anyway I made him walk through a store holding my hand like a baby would. That killed him :lol: ! He was like "don't mom, I'm sorry, I don't want anyone to see me having to hold your hand like a baby :cry: ." Well that got his attention and fast :wink: .


Now right now what works with dd is taking her favorite things away from her. She hates that!

You're a great mom!!

Stephanie :D

Something that seems to work really well for Timmy is counting down from 5. Like if I ask him to put his pants on, I'll say you have 5 seconds, or I'm doing it. And he likes to do it himself so he usually will. Or if he's not listening sometimes I'll have to say 5 seconds or spanking. Then he almost always listens. If not I give him a spanking. What I like about this, is that the child knows ahead of time what to do, and what will happen if they don't do it.

Also, whenever I have to spank Timmy I never do it very hard (The fact he got one is enough for him, he usually cries even when I know it doesn't hurt him, because he knows he's done wrong.) And I always hug him and tell him I love him afterwards. Then I'll tell him, He has to listen to mommy because I love him and don't want him to get hurt. Explaining everything you do will help them understand why.

(((hugs))) you're definitely not a bad mom. And if Timmy ever hits me, like you said your child did when you spank her, I just take his hand look him in the eyes, and say very firmly. You do not hit mommy. If you do it again, you will get a spanking. (or whatever other form of discipline you use.)

Thanks so much for all the advice. Today has gone better and I know each day will. I pray for strength to get through these terrible twos and lots of patience.

In God's Love!

I think it's more like the terrible 1s,2s,3s and 4s. I think once they hit 5 they start to settle down. Until they are like 7 LOL (Lis can confirm this right :wink: )
For boys, maybe. I think for girls, the terrible <insert age here>'s end right around 30. :D