Thursday, February 5, 2009

Does Anyone Else's Kid Do This?

My child has no patience. And I know that's pretty typical for a two year old, but I mean no patience. Like, if he wants something to eat, and I'm in the middle of something and can't get it right away, he just freaks out. He jumps up and down, screams, shakes the chairs in the kitchen, and sometimes even hits me. It doesn't matter what I say, he will continue until he is sitting in his seat with food in front of him. I feel like he should be able to wait for a moment or two without having a hissy fit.

So I've begun to to tell him he needs to wait patiently with no screaming or whining and then he can have the item. Usually this results in him having to go to his room because he just can't wait. I put him in the room and tell him that screaming hurts my ears and when he's calm he can wait patiently for the juice/food/toy and I will give it to him. Eventually he will calm down and I make him ask for it nicely, but it is always a big project! Anybody else have this problem? Is this normal for the age? Are my expectations too high? I feel like he should be able to do this because I know he behaves well for babysitters and at daycare. Any ideas?

6 comments:

Crystal P said...

My youngest did this for a very long time. She would get so frustrated over every little thing and just couldn't handle it. She would actually start the tantrum before she would get the entire request out of her mouth!! Hitting, kicking, screaming, the whole she-bang. But....then we got her glasses! Now she is doing so much better, and the tantrums are much better. Hopefully Mateo will grow out of them soon! I know what you are going through.

Rachel said...

Elizabeth has patience but she definitely has a temper. She screams bloody murder whenever its time to leave the park. I stayed at this indoor playground for four hours today and she still screamed when it was time to go. I somehow managed to get her shoes on even while she was kicking me.
In other news, your baby gate suggestion for bedtime rocks. We've been using it for the last couple weeks and she has gone to sleep all by herself with no problem! Every once in a while she will call out, "Mommy?" and I assure her she is okay and then she goes back and lies down in bed. It is amazing. I owe you a candy bar or something.

janiece said...

Yep, my kids are the same. Rest assured, as they got older it's less of a problem. At least until puberty strikes and then it gets ugly again (according to my mom--but she can stretch the truth)

JonesEthiopia said...

R does this, and she's only 15 months old. Long road there. When she doesn't get what she wants she SCREAMS so loud. It is so frustrating sometimes. So yeah, I think Mateo's behavior is pretty normal. After all, they don't call it the "terrible twos" for nothing, right?

On a side note, thank you so much for your comment on my blog about adoption grief. It is comforting to know that I'm not the only one who has experienced this.

I also see that you're going to start the process to bring another son home... Congratulations on that. So exciting!

Amanda said...

Lily does this at almost two and has been for quite a while. I got nothing on when it ends, but hopefully... SOON!

Unknown said...

Meechi does this all the time. Everything he wants is urgent and nothing that any of the rest of us are doing is important to him. His needs urgent... ours not so much. It is frustrating and annoying for all of us including him. I just let him pitch his fit and finish what I am doing. It hasn't done anything to change his behaviour but I don't feel like I should give in.