Help me with this toddler behavior!

firsttogo

I know he is frustrated. He is two, and has a cast on, but Lord help me! I am going to lose it!

Anytime he does not have my undivided, he is destroying things. Clearing off the coffee or end table, throwing things ect. Then when I redirect him, he hits himself, me, or Lincoln . He will slam his arm or head in to the wall, or shriek. 

I know that this has to be a phase, but where has my sweet boy gone. He will still have loving moments, like when I walk in a room, and he runs to me and says "miss'd you momma" But this other stuff is for the birds! Suggestions besides ignore, which is what I am doing?

futrkingsley

I'd remove the stuff he throws first of all.  No reason to leave stuff that isn't for him to touch out where he can get to it. 

With DS, when he's really that frustrated, that means he's tired and it's time for bed.  We hold him and talk softly to him about how tired he must be and that we'll get him ready for sleep as quickly as we can.  Sometimes it makes him more angry but we push through and get him in bed ASAP.  Even if he doesn't fall asleep immediately, it calms him down and refocues him.

firsttogo

I agree about not tempting him, but he will throw toys, ect. Also, so you put him to bed regardless of the time? That would make for some odd naps and little to no schedule/continuity... like going down at 4 pm?

futrkingsley

DS' acting out (throwing things, hitting himself) almost always happens when he is overtired.  And that happens in the late afternoon or late morning, so we move him to bed.  Occassionally that happens at 5 pm but so be it. He goes to bed early. He gets the rest he needs and we get fewer tantrums.