I am need of some help in regards to my boy that has just turned two. It is like a switch has clicked and he is beyond naughty. My anxiety now is through the roof because he will not sit in a trolley at the shops, he wants out. Otherwise he screams bloody murder. If I let him out he is off and runs out of the store and keeps on running thinking it is funny. I have told him off and put him back in a trolley, but everything is a huge fight with him and the tantrums are extreme.
I do not know what to do.
He does not go to daycare as we live in a rural town without one. It is just him and I and I am really trying.
I am looking at a kids harness because his running away, I do not want to see him get hurt.
I just need some advice.
Thank you
8 Replies
It’s such a sucky phase! I remember it well. I think I’m still traumatised and it was 20 years ago for me.
A harness is definitely worth a go. And just know this will pass, until then you do whatever you can to keep your child safe.
This is what they do at 2. After the trolley he will find a new thing he MUST do but cant do right.
What youre doing is right.
Put in trolley. Before he comes out tell him, dont run away and you have to listen to mummy or youll go back in the trolley.
And put him back in.
You can give a second chance and say it again but this time say 'or youll be back inthe trolley for the rest ofthe shop'.
Give him things to do but when he runs follow through. He will get it quick enough. And weather the tears and screaming. After a while try to distract with a song or looking at things etc.
Try the harness!
If he throws a fit give him the choice - harness or trolley. It may take a few screaming sessions for him to understand that he's not dictating shopping time and the harness allows him a bit of freedom.
Try not to give in to the tantrums and just try not to stress, every parent has been there at some point.
I sit my two year old in the trolley and bring enough snacks to last the shopping trip. And go through the rules every single time before we go in "sitting in the trolley" etc. he will grow out of it!!
The age around 2 is my least favourite age just because of things like this.
They think they can do anything and they want to do everything for themselves. But don’t understand why they can’t. My 3 year old is SO much easier then my almost 2 year old because at least I can explain and negotiate with a 3 year old. NOTHING works with a terrible 2.
Just keep doing what you’re doing to ensure they are safe and no that it does ect easier and it does pass.
I have used harnesses on my kids because they run off and I’d much rather have them close by then worry myself sick about them getting hurt.
I get your pain. I actually walked out of the shops and left a fully trolley of groceries on more than one occasion. The rules were behave we we will go home, so go home we did! I just wheeled the trolley full of screaming children to the service desk. Told them I was leaving and walked out. I think I did it twice and got as far as the service desk the third time and never had to do it again. The kids learned very fast that shopping can be fun if you play by mummy's rules. I always gave them choices on what we were buying and kept them involved so it was fun. Eg gave them a choice of 2 different muesli bars, etc. As they got older they helped put things in the trolley, if they wanted to get out of the trolley they had to "stick like glue" and they rode on the outside or held the wire side. Straight back in the trolley if they didn't. Later they did maths working out value for money, went off searching for particular items, etc. We live in a regional town so security/safety wasn't an issue. Good luck mumma... this too shall pass :)
You avoid taking him shopping! But if not, def get the harness. Your child’s safety and your peace of mind is far more important than a few strangers’ opinions
Give him two choices where he thinks he's in control and you always win.
E.g. would you like to hold me hand to cross the road or would you like me to carry you?
Would you like to hold onto the trolley while we're shopping or sit in the trolley?
It may not work for you but it works for my little stubborn man lol