2 y/o showing anger

[mama2mattchey]

I have a 2 year old boy (26 months) who is usually pretty active and mindful. But lately, it seems as those terrible twos have set in. For a little background on this, I am due to have my second child any day now. I'm sure that he senses there is some sort of huge change going on and may be acting out from that. Also, what concerns me is that at the start of this pregnant, my children's sperm donor bailed and has had nothing to do with the kids ever since. So honestly, he's been through a lot in the past 8-9 months for a little guy.

In the last week, he's started to pull his 2 1/2 year old cousin's hair and hit her in the head. Sometimes it's just random and isn't always over a toy or something to that effect. They might be sitting on the couch watching Elmo and he'll randomly hit her. When it comes to me, he's hit me a few times, spit on me the other day, and is already very mouthy.



Being this pregnant AND a single mom is so frustrating. I very much believe in gentle discipline, but I admit to have raising my voice & yelling a couple of times. But MAJORITY OF THE TIME, I've been trying to take his hands and say "we do not hurt people with our hands." It kind've works and I just started this, so it's too soon to tell for sure, but does anyone else have any other advice for this? I am especially concerned with the new baby coming.

Today, after he hit his cousin, I walked up to him and asked, "Matthew, why are you hitting?" He said, "Gucky" (which is his word for hungry) and I said, "ok, then let's go eat." I've tried to explain to him that it's ok to feel angry, but if he needs/wants something then he needs to ask mommy for it (I'm constantly saying, "please use your words, Matthew").

I know that all of this is normal behavior, but I really want to start getting this under control...I love him so much and hate seeing him act out like this.

[MittensKittens]

I am so sorry you are having a hard time! I have to say that I don't really have any suggestions for you as you are doing everything I was doing, but I was in the same situation not too long ago and I know it can be frustrating (single mom of a toddler and pregnant). But remember that the whole situation is probably more frustrating for your two year old, as he likely has tons of questions and can't quite express himself yet. I tried doing lots of fun, positive stuff with DD and talked about the baby a lot to prepare her. Just hang in there, it will get better!

[mom2grrls]

Don't ask why just act. I used to just say "hitting hurts" and remove the child. A part of the reason 2 y/os hit is they don't have words to explain their emotions so they probably won't be able to explain their reasons for hitting. Perhaps it's best to keep him away from other kids until the hitting subsides, which it will

[mama2mattchey]

Originally Posted by mom2grrls

Don't ask why just act. I used to just say "hitting hurts" and remove the child. A part of the reason 2 y/os hit is they don't have words to explain their emotions so they probably won't be able to explain their reasons for hitting. Perhaps it's best to keep him away from other kids until the hitting subsides, which it will

That is a lot of what I figured on the whole hitting thing. I wish I could keep him away from the other children, but both my brother and I are living with our children trying to get back on our feet. They are gone every other Thursday through Tuesday with their mother, but sometimes it doesn't feel like it's enough. =/ lol Then I always have mine. Their dad isn't around at all.

[Polliwog]

Don't need to keep them apart all the time. Take a walk, read a book, take a bath, whatever, when things start getting tense.