Terrible 2's - When do they Peak?

MamatoJackson · October 2011

I have heard that the "Terrible 2's" actually start quite awhile before turning 2. DS definitely has started having tantrums and such as of a few months ago but they're really not a big deal. Will it get worse? When do the terrible 2's peak?

StatlerWaldorf · October 2011

The worst time for me so far was right before turning 2. DD had a speech delay and was mostly frustrated because she couldn't express what she wanted. We had a lot of issues with communication that resulted in tantrums. As she got closer to 2.5, her speech really took off and it has gotten a lot better.

susanmosley · October 2011

pssssst - the terrible 2s is like teething pain - it doesn't exist

DD just turned 3 & I can't look back & pinpoint her T2 trajectory. I was kidding in my first sentence (kind of) - but there is a good chance you will not experience much more with Jackson. Perspective. A lot of it is about perspective. Not every child has a tantruming peak as a toddler.

I'm scared I am going to get flamed for this response.

laney75 · October 2011

Personally I think 3 is worse than 2.

We're at almost 3 1/2 and I'm looking forward to 4 as our younger guy approaches 2 and just learned to throw himself on the floor when he's unhappy.

bim38106 · October 2011

definitely depends on the child

DD1 went through a terrible phase right before 2, and again at 2.5. Everyone kept telling me "just wait, the 3s are even worse!" I was terrified The 3s were better though, mainly because I could reason with her.

DD2 is heading into a pretty tough phase right now... we shall see.

All things are just a phase, just a phase, just a phase. I tell myself that a lot Wink

jnksmom · October 2011

With DS it was worse at 3 than at 2. We didn't experience what people describe as the terrible 2s. Even at 3, he just quit listening as well and was somewhat wild(especially for him). It was just a phase though!!

DD has always been strong willed and wants her way which is where our battles come. She just turned 3 and although she has her moments, it has not been anything like I expected in the "terrible 2 phase"

zeesbride · October 2011

susanmosley:
pssssst - the terrible 2s is like teething pain - it doesn't exist

DD just turned 3 & I can't look back & pinpoint her T2 trajectory. I was kidding in my first sentence (kind of) - but there is a good chance you will not experience much more with Jackson. Perspective. A lot of it is about perspective. Not every child has a tantruming peak as a toddler.

I'm scared I am going to get flamed for this response.

I agree with this ( except the teething pain...lol my DD is a miz teether).

MesmrEwe · October 2011

From what my parent with teens friends tell me, about 13 is when the "Terrible 2's" reach their peak...

lilone_06 · October 2011

So, I recommend you digest your various responses.... Obviously, it varies on the child. DD1 'peaked' between ages 18 mos and 3 years.

I swear, there were times I truly didn't believe we would both survive it. DD2 still has not really shown any signs of being terrible, just a bit tantrumy when she can't express herself. GL, it can be tough.

kcisthebombdotcom · October 2011

My son will be 2 in just about 2 months and we're nowhere near terrible 2s yet. He has like one tantrum a week still.

My niece didnt start until 3, so I'm hoping I have another year of bliss.

eaglesfan700 · October 2011

I think the term "Terrible Twos" was a cruel joke someone started to make you think you breezed through it, only to hit age 3 and feel like you were punched in the gut.

I was all "HA! Two was a breeze!". Then he turned 3. It is getting marginally better, but I am really looking forward to 4

healthynut · October 2011

Our terrible 2's began just before turning two. It was a pretty bad phase, but nothing compared to how bad it got when they had been two for about 3 or 4 months. We have truly had the talked about "terrible 2's" since then. DD was the first one to throw the multiple tantrums, scream uncontrolabley, be completely unreasonable, whine from wake-up to bedtime, etc. DS followed about two weeks later. "knock on wood" but things have tapered a bit for the time being. I am hoping that the 3's won't be as bad for us as they have been for some since we got wolloped big time at age 2, and times 2 with the twins both getting it.

MAMAxB · October 2011

With most of my nieces and nephews 3 was MUCH crazier... GL

Stacyc625 · October 2011

never

EnglishMajor03 · October 2011

CnAmom:
I think it peaks at 3 and tapers off at 4.

I'm really looking forward to 4.

This is exactly what I was going to say! And 4 has been so much more manageable.

Stacyc625 · October 2011

EnglishMajor03:
CnAmom:

I think it peaks at 3 and tapers off at 4.

I'm really looking forward to 4.

This is exactly what I was going to say! And 4 has been so much more manageable.

never is a stretch- but THIS is what i agree with- 3 is sooooooo ridiculously trying. I like the punch in the gut image. truly most days that is what it feels like.

Stacyc625 · October 2011

EnglishMajor03:
CnAmom:

I think it peaks at 3 and tapers off at 4.

I'm really looking forward to 4.

This is exactly what I was going to say! And 4 has been so much more manageable.

never is a stretch- but THIS is what i agree with- 3 is sooooooo ridiculously trying. I like the punch in the gut image. truly most days that is what it feels like.

Mc_Newlywed · October 2011

Looking back, we didn't have nearly the tantrum-ing that everyone waned me about. Instead, we had behavioral stuff. It's like they HAVE to push the envelope and test your patience.

We had a long bout of sleep issues (maybe 2-3 months) but it was a combination of being 2, losing the paci, moving to a big bed, and having the new power to say no. And that phase of "doing things because Mommy isn't looking" is maddening. You just have to be firm in whatever discipline you decide and stick with it. There were days when

Honestly, I think 3 is worse in terms of phycological warfare. Seriously, the amount of sassiness in this house some days could make you scream.

Mc_Newlywed · October 2011

Another thought....

Remember that most tantrums are the result of 1) hunger 2) tiredness or 3) communication problems. (not all, but most).

If you try to remember this and stay on top of their moods/emotions you can avoid or at least deter a lot of the on-the-floor-screaming-stuff.

luvmagoldn · October 2011

I hope to God we are peaking now at 2.5. I'm not sure how much more I can take! With the older boys, I remember three being pretty trying bit nothing like DS#3 is dishing out.

Liz342 · October 2011

DD started getting into the whining/crying about everything phase at the beginning of 2. Or maybe right before she turned 2. That's when it got hard and frustrating. Certain things got better as she became more independent around 2.5 but now as we near 3, it's starting to get ridiculous.

DD is a pretty difficult child but was never one to throw massive fits/tantrums. However, she is starting to get to that stage. She pretty much wakes up miserable and if you say the wrong thing, it's all over. I hate this stage

ali-1411 · October 2011

I think the years 5 - 8 were worse than any toddler tantrums, so I'm gonna say it peaks at 8 and gets better after 9

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