Break it down on purpose and then cry about it -- WHY???

[LCBMAX]

No, really, why? Any insight on this particularly 2.25 year old behavior? Sometimes the thing we/ he built gets a little knocked over by accident, then he seems to be enjoying the smashing process, and then suddenly - abject misery. I think I could handle it better if I understood where it's coming from.

I've tried to offer other ways to handle frustration, tried to celebrate destruction, tried to console with the eternal promise of rebuilding... it all works for one rebuild, and soon enough, nothing works.

Child psych mamas - what's up?!

[Xerxella]

My dad tells this story about when I was a kid (I don't remember it). Him and my 2 other siblings were making snow balls and I wanted one too. So my dad made me a snowball and I'm holding it and after a while I start to cry. And my dad says what's wrong. I say my hands are cold. He says throw the snowball and I cry but I want it. Then hold it, but it's cold. WWWAAAHHH WWWAAAHHH

It's a problem every 2 year old has to overcome (and some adults never overcome) they want it both ways. They want to hold the snowball and they want their hands to be warm. The want to knock down the tower and the want it to still be standing.

Everyone has this problem. Everyone want to have their cake and eat it, too.