The Terrible Two’s are More Than Terrible

The Terrible Twos are more than terrible

Like most new dads I always thought that when someone mentioned their kids were in the terrible two’s that meant they were two years of age. Boy, I was so naive! 

Jameson started his terrible twos at the “young” age of 14 months. Barley over one and he already started having full meltdowns because he wasn’t getting what he wanted. These temper tantrums are something else, let me tell you. If you don’t have any kids, let me paint you a picture. The other day I wouldn’t let Jameson try to stick a toy up one of our dog’s butts (I know, I know, what a terrible dad) so he throws the toy across the room and starts trying to find things he can reach and throw those around as well. Once I picked him up to move him away from the table, he lost it even more. He threw himself onto the ground, smacking his head on the floor, and just starts kicking and screaming. He’s in full tantrum mode now.

“Experts,” say the thing to do in this situation is to just ignore them until they calm down. But I don’t think they have ever been around any kids when they are doing this. It’s hard to let him lay there on the floor hitting his arms, legs, and head on the floor while he completely loses it. Now, what they also suggest is if ignoring them doesn’t work, you are supposed to remove them from the situation. This means a time-out. But that then poses the question, at what age do you start time-outs?

I conducted some research and I think I have found the answer. Time-outs can start as early as your child starts acting out. That’s right, at the age of 14 months you could start putting your child into a corner or isolated safe space for a time out. I know what you’re thinking, they aren’t going to stay there, so why am I going to do that? You don’t need them to stay there. The single act of picking them up and putting them there is enough for now. 

I for one would not have believed it if I didn’t see it actually work. This morning Jameson was trying to hit his mom after she told him that he couldn’t do something. So I took into a corner and low and behold he came back a few seconds later all calm and ready to play. The time-out really did work. And as he gets older and understands time, that’s when I can start timing the time outs.

Now a time out shouldn’t be the go-to punishment. Make sure you are giving at least two no’s, trying to take them away from whatever it is, or taking away whatever it is they are not supposed to be playing with. If those don’t work then the time out can be given.

The terrible twos won’t be over anytime soon, but at least now I have something that can help make it a little easier.

*If you want to read more about time-outs and punishments that work check out the Happiest Baby blog here for tips and tricks.