My dd is 18 months and she wants her way NOW! She wants to change clothes 10 times a day, herself, and never wants to come inside from playing. She doesn't want to share and takes toys so no one has them but her.She used to eat like a horse and now she's picky. Oh and the temper on my little girl! I think she's changed overnight!

By Emily7 on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 05:02 pm:

Have fun...I have one going into the terrible 2's & one in just a bad (if not worse)3's.

By Vicki on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 07:29 pm:

Oh boy...hate to tell you this, but 2 is a cake walk.... 3 is the nightmare!!!

By Jelygu on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 09:55 pm:

I hear ya sister! Christopher is also 18 months! He never wants to come inside either, he just says "outside, outside". And the tantrums, lord help me!
Christopher doesn't eat anymore either! Only chicken nuggets and fruit (thank god for fruit!)

By Kittycat_26 on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 07:50 am:

Oh Vicki, please don't tell me that. Timmy turns 3 tomorrow and I'd so hoped that all of the tantrums were over.

Good heavens, will he live long enough to see 4!

By Eve on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 09:20 am:

Oh yes, indeed! It happened for my DD at 18 months too! Melanie recommended Love and Logic to me at that point and it worked SOOO well for that age! There is a great book called "Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood" by Jim Fay.

I have a picky eater too! She is getting a little better in that area. Hang in there!

By Kernkate on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 10:36 am:

I think the fearsome 4's are even worse! Finally at almost 5 Alissa is starting to get better. 2's were a breeze compared to 3 1/2 to 4 1/2. LOL
Alissa isn't to much of a picky eater, she eats just about everything, her fav. being mac and cheese.

By Insaneusmcwife on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 11:26 am:

I agree on the 3's being the worst. I'm hoping 4's are better. My dd is so unbearable sometimes. I'm hoping once we get moved and she sees daddy will be home for awhile she will settle down.

By Rayanne on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 12:02 pm:

I have an 18 month old too, so I know exactly how you feel. She loves to stay outside too. Eating...please. She WILL NOT eat any vegetables, except for cream corn. She loves fruit, chesse, and bologna. And she always wants cookies. I don't give them to her, except for after lunch.

By Clarabel on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 01:32 pm:

I'm right there with you, Mama!
This is just the beginning.
Testing and challenging all day.Now he wants "mama hugs" all the time which means he wants me to pick him up and hold him against me, which I can't do because of my big 6mo. belly.He throws a fit! He's 2 1/2 and too heavy, but it's just manipulation.
I have found Love and Logic very helpful.However, I think he enjoys his time outs now.He will even put himself in time out. Maybe I should try another punishment.Everyday is a learning experience.

Good for your ds dressing herself at 18 months.Wow.

By Rayelle on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 07:06 pm:

Well, she can't dress herself completely, hence the source of many a tantrum! She loves clanging around in too big shoes and gets pants on alright and some dresses. She can get her head through a shirt but not the arms! I'm going to check out that book, I hadn't heard of it before.

By Vicki on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 07:35 pm:

Three with definately the worst year for me. It is like dd woke up on her 3rd birthday a different child. And then woke up back to normal on her 4th birthday. That was one long year let me tell you! LOL

By Annie2 on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 09:16 pm:

I have seen a pattern with my kids that they are usually worse in their odd years of life. My most head strong kids just turned 14 and 8 at the end of next month and my third child will turn even (10) at the end of the summer. Crossing fingers for a calmer year. I also turned an even number so maybe that will help, too!

Hang in there. When your child learns more ways to communicate her feelings things should calm down. I recommend the book Eve mentioned. It has worked for us, too!