Q: When do the Terrible Two's Start?
Around 15 months. You've heard all the stories of the "Terrible Two's" from other parents. What no one tells you, however, is the Terrible Two's start closer to your child's FIRST BIRTHDAY (again, around 15 months), not at midnight of your child's second birthday. That leaves many parents shocked and unprepared for the events to come. To get through this ugly phase, it's time to change your perspective. As Dr. T. Berry Brazelton would say, toddlers are simply making a "Declaration of Independence." (Dr. Brazelton views every situation as the cup is half-full). And knowing why your child is acting like this helps you know how to respond to it.
Q: When do the Terrible Two's end?
When they leave for college! Okay, it's not that bad. But this phase can last for a long time, so don't be surprised by that. Come children's behavior will settle down by age three. Some kids will torture their parents for an extra year and improve by age four. Just think of it this way, the Terrible Two's will give you a lot of practice for when your child becomes a teenager! The behaviors are strangely similar (and both phases are in the name of independence). Since this is a long time to endure, and there aren't any toddler boarding schools that we know of, you will need to have a consistent management plan with all caregivers (parents, grandparents, babysitters) to survive the next couple of years.
Bottom Line:
Consistency is the key to making a discipline plan work. If there is an adult (a.k.a the Softly) who ignores a behavior that other adults reprimand, the behavior will continue. Grandparents are usually the worst in this department - and kids know it. It's like having a substitute teacher.
**Remember, you are planting the seeds of discipline. Don't expect a tree to grow overnight. You won't see the fruits of your labor for a very long time!
Good Luck surviving the
Terrible Two's with us!!
