Video:Making the Terrible Twos Tolerable

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Transcript:Making the Terrible Twos Tolerable

Hi I am Kathy Moore for About.com Parenting. Every parent has either heard about or experienced the terrible twos. But did you know that typical two-year-old behavior is not only normal but necessary? This program is about transforming your two-year-old from terrible to tolerable.

Terrible Twos Timeframe

As the mother of a two year old I am all too familiar with the so called terrible twos. Between 18 and 24 months most children start to assert their will and test constantly to learn the limits of their expanding abilities.

Some days it seems like our son purposely tries to push me to the point of frustration by behaving in ways that I do not expect or do not approve of. I know this testing and teasing is all a part of growing up but it is difficult not to get frustrated or angry sometimes.

Knowing when to intervene and when to ignore this behavior is the key to making the terrible twos tolerable.

Terrible Twos Tantrums

Temper tantrums are one of the hallmarks of the terrible twos. I have learned the hard way that when my kids are having a temper tantrum it is best not to try to reason with them or interact in any way. I have found that when I engage with them during a tantrum I just end up making it last longer. It is better to remove myself from the situation by saying I will talk to you after you calm down and pull yourself together.

Taming the Terrible Twos

Power struggles over what to wear or what to eat are another characteristic of the terrible twos. As a parent you can design choices for your kids in a way that will feed their desire for power or control while still allowing you to set appropriate limits. For example I let my two-year-old choose what he wants to wear each day by offering a choice of two outfits. That way I can be sure he is dressed appropriately while he still feels like he decided what to wear.

As kids grow they will continue to test their limits and your patience. As a parent it is your job to set clear and constant boundaries. Teaching these guidelines early on may even make your kids teen years tolerable. Thanks for watching. To learn more visit us on the Web at parenting.about.com.