toddler protests EVERYTHING

[finn74]

my 21 month old has been freaking out over everything and i'm at my wits end! car rides, momma washing dishes, momma using bathroom, momma cooking, when he's told not to touch things, end of bath time, no more juice left in juicebox, etc, & these have been all understandable to me cause i think i know where he's coming from- he's a little person in a big world with as yet limited comprehension why things are this way, but the situation that has just sent me over is diaper changing..he never did like it but now even more he screams and kicks and wiggles away, and with this, as with everything else now he protests by slamming his head against the floor..i do hold him and speak calmly til the tantrum is over but then when i attempt again to change him it happens all over. now, diaper changes dont hurt him, weve been doing it everyday since he was born, i'm pretty sure they aren't scary or traumatic either.
i'm a firm believer in respecting who my child is AT THE MOMENT, and i know being a little guy is rough but something in my gut is telling me that this is unnecessary, it's not right for him to behave like this over such situations and i've got to find a way to let him know that this behavior is not helping him. and i know that i am heading to a breakdown and if i am becoming unhealthy from it, then its got to change.
i've tried redirecting him, toys, singing, etc, to no avail and i smother him with affection i play with him i am always calm, understanding and supportive- i dont know what hes not getting?
b.t.w- this morning he threw himself on the bare kitchen floor and slammed his forehead into it cause i had the audacity to close the dishwasher door..

[paphia]

I usually find the no-nonsense approach works best when my kids are freaking out over something that needs to happen. I might say something like "I'm sorry you don't like it, but this has to happen" and then when I am done, if they are still upset I give them a hug and kiss and carry them away and we focus on something else.

[mom2grrls]

Try changing him while he's standing, he probably just doesn't want to stop what he's doing

[_betsy_]

Is he ready to potty learn?

How is his speach? If he's not very verbal yet, I'd say that's the biggest thing frustrating him.

[*MamaJen*]

Originally Posted by paphia

I usually find the no-nonsense approach works best when my kids are freaking out over something that needs to happen. I might say something like "I'm sorry you don't like it, but this has to happen" and then when I am done, if they are still upset I give them a hug and kiss and carry them away and we focus on something else.

This. Also, maybe trying sign language or working on speech so he can better express himself?

[finn74]

thanks ladies! he has been seeing a speech therapist recently, maybe there is a connection...