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Worried about almost 2yo's behavior...

AimeeL85AimeeL85 member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

Hi ladies - my son is not quite 2 yet but will be soon, I thought I'd post here because you've all "been there, done that" somewhat recently with the age he is.

I am trying to figure out if my son's behavior is normal and what I can do to help the situation.  He is 22.5 months.  We recently started attending a toddler gym class; the first time we went he loved it and ran around the whole time with a smile on his face.  Now, nearly every time we go, he ends up having a tantrum, running off crying or wanting to be held while he cries.  He is fine at the beginning of class but slowly loses composure and I can't figure out why.

Like most toddlers he is in the "mine" phase and gets upset very easily at the other kids who come anywhere near what he wants to play with and we're working on that.  I don't know if my needing to constantly redirect him in these situations gets to the point of him shutting down and not wanting to play at all, or if there's something else going on.

He has his share of toddler tantrums at home (but not terrible), but this is the only place where he seems to break down for no obvious reason. Today I almost left early and he almost had me in tears, which never happens, but all he wanted to do was scream and cry. I just don't get it.

Does this sound like something I should be worried about, or just another crazy phase?  Up until today I was frustrated with it, but not until today's episode did I start to wonder if there's something going on I should worry about.

Thanks for any advice!

DS (7 years old) from FET in 2010
DD (5 years old) from IUI in 2012
TTC 3rd and final!: IUI #1 in progress!
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Re: Worried about almost 2yo's behavior...

  • mavs_girl07mavs_girl07 member
    It sounds like maybe he's just too overwhelmed and overstimulated in that situation.  Are there other times where he's around a bunch of other people/kids and noise?  Everything else sounds pretty typical, it just sounds like the gym class may be too much for him.
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  • sschwegesschwege member

    Your son is such a cutie!

    I agree with pp he sounds like he may be overwhelmed.  Is this his first time being around a larger group of kids?  Maybe you could see if there are any smaller classes and give that a try?  Different time maybe?  Snack beforehand?

    I wouldn't worry though, sounds like just another phase that may just disappear as quickly as it started :)  

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  • AEN1029AEN1029 member

    imagemavs_girl07:
    It sounds like maybe he's just too overwhelmed and overstimulated in that situation.  Are there other times where he's around a bunch of other people/kids and noise?  Everything else sounds pretty typical, it just sounds like the gym class may be too much for him.

    This is what I was thinking. My youngest is not quite two and she acts much differently in this kind of environment than when she is at home. I wouldn't worry too much. I think he will get used to it. Give it a little longer and if he doesn't like the class after a while, maybe stop going until he's a little bit older.

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  • AimeeL85AimeeL85 member

    Thanks for the insight, I think you all may be right.  He did go to daycare 2x/week until he was 20 months old and did fine there, but I think the level of activity and spontaneity in this class is above and beyond his experiences at daycare.  I guess I never felt his personality was one to get overwhelmed (he's not shy, very active, loves to run around) but maybe it really does get to be too much for him. 

    I would hate to pull him out, partially because we've already paid through June (expensive!) and also because I don't want to make it worse by really never having him around lots of kids, but I think I need to brainstorm ideas to help him cope during the class. I can't imagine what the other parents and the teacher think of us, but he acts so out of character there.

    Thanks again!

    DS (7 years old) from FET in 2010
    DD (5 years old) from IUI in 2012
    TTC 3rd and final!: IUI #1 in progress!
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  • AEN1029AEN1029 member
    imageAimeeL85:

    Thanks for the insight, I think you all may be right.  He did go to daycare 2x/week until he was 20 months old and did fine there, but I think the level of activity and spontaneity in this class is above and beyond his experiences at daycare.  I guess I never felt his personality was one to get overwhelmed (he's not shy, very active, loves to run around) but maybe it really does get to be too much for him. 

    I would hate to pull him out, partially because we've already paid through June (expensive!) and also because I don't want to make it worse by really never having him around lots of kids, but I think I need to brainstorm ideas to help him cope during the class. I can't imagine what the other parents and the teacher think of us, but he acts so out of character there.

    Thanks again!

    I would bring it up to the teacher and see if she has any ideas to help him cope. Maybe there's a way to work him up to the craziness of the class. I'm not sure what it's like, but just an idea.

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  • mavs_girl07mavs_girl07 member

    I don't know the structure of this place or their classes so these ideas may not be possible, BUT a couple ideas you can try:

    Arriving a little early.  Let him get used to the room before all the other kids arrive and the activities start up.  He'll also be able to get used to the kids slowly trickling in, as opposed to walking into a large group of kids already there.

    Taking a break every so often throughout the class.  Find an excuse to leave the room for a few minutes (water break, diaper/potty break, etc).  Give him a few minutes away from the noise and acitivity.

    Cutting the sessions short the first few times.  The first time only stay for 15 minutes, the second time stay for 20 minutes, etc.  Slowly stretch it out until he's able to stay the whole class.  It will suck not to get the whole class you're paying for, but at least it will build up his comfort level.

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