Adjusting new new babe

[Clairesoula]

So we just had baby #2 July 12th and for the most part our 2.75 yr old is doing great. He has, though, become much less cooperative which is understandable, but I, and moreso my DH are having a hard time figuring out a gentle response. I know when we went through this earlier, we could just offer a couple choices and he'd choose one and we could move on with what we were doing (getting in the car, eating a meal, getting dressed). Now that he's older, he's just flat out saying no to all choices. Today he wanted to pick his own shirt, but then every time I got the shirt he wanted he wanted the other one. Normally I would just give up after a while and let him go with no shirt but he was supposed to visit Grandma today. I let him make about 4 choices before I explained that the next choice was his final choice and then we'd be done with choosing shirts. That didn't go over well and I put the shirt on his little screaming self and then comforted him with telling him that he could try to choose again later. Anyway, anyone try something that empowers the child, but still gets them dressed?
Thanks!

[Gray's Mommy]

Sounds like you did a good job mama! You gave him a choice and he selected. He just didn't like what he picked. You did exactly what you said what you said you would do & that consistency is key

[bzmum]

Your preschooler sounds like mine did a few months ago. I think that these little changes have a lot to do with having a new sibling. Anyhow, I would have done similar to you, but only let him change his mind once. Usually if he refuses to choose, I make it a game and say something like,"You choose before I count to 10 or you get to wear a shirt mama chooses." He likes the challenge of beating me to it so that often works. If I get to 10 and he's still sulking, I put a shirt on him, crying or not. Once he's calmed down we talk about how he gets the chance to make a choice next time. I have very little patience for indecision, but I try very hard to be fair. Sounds like you are doing a good job...this will soon pass. Good luck!
P.S. I also do a game for cleaning up toys..."I'm going to beat you at putting all the cars/the most cars in the bin." We have a lot of fun and lots of giggles...and it really lights a fire under him for some reason.

[Clairesoula]

Well, thanks. I'll keep doing what I'm doing. I just hate the end result of me stuffing him in his shirt as gently as I can. I think overall we're doing ok, but my DH has a shorter fuse than I do and wears out faster and just makes him do whatever (diaper change etc). I think he had an insight the other day though that he can't out-will a toddler, so he has to change his tack. That's seemed to improve things too.

[coloradomama1]

we're in the same boat sibling wise and i've started giving my almost 3 yo a lot less choices and it's seemed to work. hang in there, it's tough with 2 because now (that you're hands are literally full) you have to rely on them to really listen instead of being able to gently guide them in the right direction!

[syn_ack89]

I am a great believer in only offering 2 choices, at max 3. I think sometimes LOs can get overwhelmed with too many choices. I have my 2nd due in October so we'll see if that holds.