https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:15:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/early-onset-terrible-2s-advice-if-youve-been-there#post-512349 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:20:15 +0000 red_seattle 512349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Superhero: I haven't read happiest toddler. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll look into it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/early-onset-terrible-2s-advice-if-youve-been-there#post-512167 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:08:03 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 512167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you read Happiest Toddler on the Block? That was the biggest help for us, although she was a bit older. 18 months is pretty standard, so 14 is early but not as crazy as it sounds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/early-onset-terrible-2s-advice-if-youve-been-there#post-512132 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:57:40 +0000 red_seattle 512132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: I say it's terrible 2s bc i've done my best to stay on top of those things for the last 2 months. It was hard over the holidays, and he was very sick a few wks ago, + we're transitioning to 1 nap... And I'm sure that's part of why it has been worse lately... But staying on top of early &amp; consistent nap/bed times, keeping him well fed, using transitional activities, etc helps, but doesn't entirely prevent melt-downs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/early-onset-terrible-2s-advice-if-youve-been-there#post-511995 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:01:09 +0000 sarac 511995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A question - do you think his breakdowns might be related to tiredness, or hunger, or overstimulation, or any other thing you can control? My 16 month old (a very dramatic very emotional girl), has them only rarely, and I know that staying on top of her eating, sleeping, and downtime REALLY helps with that. If she has a big meltdown, it's almost always because I've neglected some one of those things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/early-onset-terrible-2s-advice-if-youve-been-there#post-511912 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:39:36 +0000 cvbee 511912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't been there, but what I said to my friend who is going through this:</p> <p>better to get it over with early than late when they are bigger and it is viewed as more 'inappropriate' </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/early-onset-terrible-2s-advice-if-youve-been-there#post-511892 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:36:04 +0000 red_seattle 511892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Toddler X is 14.5 months, and he is clearly starting his "terrible twos" now. I'm kind of at a loss for what to do or how to handle him because a lot of the things I've read or been recommended aren't really suited for a kid younger than 18months.</p> <p>Here's what we've been doing-- mostly, we do the Love &amp; Logic methods. We do time outs-- just to get emotions under control, not as punishment. We use stern voices, we're consistent. We don't spank (and won't). We remove him from the situation. We explain what's happening or what is about to happen. (This one has actually been the most helpful.) We talk through consequences, and "give" small, choices (Ex: "I see you're unhappy about being in your high chair. You can choose to throw a fit/fight/scream about it and I'll take you out and you can go without eating at all right now. Or you can calm down, sit in your high chair, and join us for dinner."---- not that he really understands, but we're getting in the habit.)</p> <p>All of that helps, but still... he melts down. And I'm sure it's not as effective as it would be with a child over 18months. I think a lot of what is usually recommended for "terrible 2s" is just barely above his comprehension level right now. Has anyone else had a kid that started the "terrible 2s" early? What did you do? </p>