My ds is 21 months old and will be 2 years when my dd is born. Ds is a very, very, very, very active, busy boy. He doesn't sit and play with toys at home, he tries to get into every single cupboard, room, closet, etc and destroy everything. When I take him to the park, he plays with the garbage cans and tries to run onto the street, while all the other 2 year olds are playing on the slide and swings. When I take him to the doctors office, he plays in the 'fun' play area for about 2 minutes, then tries to escape or explore all the offices. Then when I try to 'redirect', the kicking and screaming starts.
I am simply exhausted when I go out with him (being 5 mos pregnant does not help matters). What the *&^% am I going to do when I have a newborn with me? Can I ever go out in public again?
Everyone in public looks at me as if to say, "Control your kid", but there's not much you can do with a nearly two year old, because they don't understand consequences yet. I keep having to pick him up, deal with the crying-kicking-screaming and attempt to 'redirect'. I try to keep him in his stroller as long as possible, but he gets way to antsy.
Please, please, please, butture me that this will get easier and his behavior should start to change with age. Ds is actually a fairly good kid (good sleeper, happy, goes to anyone) he just doesn't stop. My friend babysat for a couple of hourse, and she said he didn't stop once. He's like the energizer bunny!
Right now I am sleeping because my ds is sleeping - in a few months, I will be having to deal with this on no sleep. I am really beginning to freak out. When does it get easier? When will he start to understand consequences? I am very committed to discipline and communication, but there's not much I can do right now and it's so frustrating. URGGGGHHHH! HELP!
Paula
