https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:13:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2762138 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 16:27:41 +0000 MrsADS 2762138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the commiseration. Today has been BAD BAD BAD. Meltdown this morning when he woke up, when he got home from daycare, and at dinner time. I just don't know what to do. 20 min of hysterical screaming. Ugghhh </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2762010 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:18:35 +0000 808love 2762010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: Good thing for DH's coming in to interpret. I meant that the guessing is not out loud...just keep it in your head! Not even the approximations at this point. :) I bet the language thing is it!! It's like the feeling that I so badly want to be a mermaid but I can barely hold my breath under water! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761828 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 20:38:44 +0000 lioneyes 2761828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We dealt with those around age 2-2.5, mostly post-nap. He was dealing with getting teeth and chronic ear infections then, but I think it was from sleeping too late/too long (which happened from the other stuff). He would need a solid 20 minutes of quiet time with a snack after naps to just chill out, with no one bothering him. We started moving his naps earlier and that helped, as did making sure naps were 2.5 hrs MAX. Now at almost age 3, he needs like 10 mins in his crib after he wakes up to fully wake up, but then he is ready to go. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761715 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 15:52:16 +0000 Rocker2014 2761715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, we went through this too at that age, you have my sympathy!</p> <p>One thing that really worked for LO during that rough time was sensory based interventions during meltdowns. Talking to her never worked, as she was so far past being able to manage language when that upset. Examples: we would put on music (something she already loved, or something danceable), or a TV show, a favorite food, and most helpful was a frozen item - she loved one of those teethers that you can freeze. We wouldn't engage her at all, other than to make sure she knew the item the item was available to her, and gave her space. </p> <p>I have no idea if this would work with another kid, but engaging a different part of her brain that wasn't language based was almost always key to a quick end to those kind of meltdowns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761633 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 13:19:03 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2761633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This does sound typical. I did also a lot of RIE practices through it but in some ways it is developmental and you do have to wait it out. That doesn't mean it's not working. But like anything else it will probably come and go even through this stage. And for what it's worth my 21 month old is crabbiest right after naps. He gets a diaper and a snack right away and that helps but sometimes despite my efforts to help him he just takes a little bit to get up and back to his usual self. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761629 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 13:08:02 +0000 MrsADS 2761629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy I read all that stuff and No Bad Kids! I am doing all those things but not seeing a difference. I'm not going to stop doing it, but it hasn't really worked magic (at least so far). It works great during a "normal" tantrum. During these hysterical, often unprovoked meltdowns, it doesn't. If we even look at him, let alone talk to him, he gets even more enraged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761610 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 12:38:14 +0000 littlejoy 2761610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is normal, but it doesn't mean you just have to ride it out. Around this age, I got really into learning about RIE and gentle parenting for our spirited kiddo. Learning about tools to keep on hand really helped me navigate all of these big feelings.</p> <p>I recommend "No Bad Kids" as a great starter book (I liked the audiobook version). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761607 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 12:34:49 +0000 ineebee 2761607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte: @gotkimchi: Wow, my toddler was the same way after some naps, especially really long naps. It happened every once in a while around age 2. Never figured out why and never realized it was a common experience! But yeah, we just made sure he was safe and when he was ready to be held, we held him. He's 28m now and he hasn't done it in a long time.</p> <p>He only has four molars -- 2-year molars are the second set of molars, right? So for us it definitely wasn't the 2-year molars. Shrug! </p> <p>@MrsADS: Good luck to you! It was definitely scary and worrisome, no doubt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761578 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:42:24 +0000 MrsADS 2761578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love yeah I am hoping it's a phase and will taper off. Definitely that's how I handle him saying stuff he doesn't understand, but he seems to still get super mad if I don't get it right away. Lol. The other day he said "peanut butter toast" and I could not figure out what he was saying and whatever I guessed was wrong and he was on the verge of losing it. Thankfully my husband walked in at that moment and said "oh, peanut butter toast" and LO was all smiley and happy. Sigh. Haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761573 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:35:49 +0000 808love 2761573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: Yes, kids this age don't like to be misunderstood. Like to the 100th power don't like it. I would stop asking, What did you say? when unable to understand and just play along as if it makes sense while you are guessing...maybe repeat what LO says (close approximation) if you don't understand and really want to know. Then he/she can correct you if up for it. They just want to be able to freely experiment with language. And yes, LO had a few super tantrums around that age. It stopped about 2 months later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761559 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:05:01 +0000 MrsADS 2761559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Update. No ear infection. Gums don't look red but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Likely just typical 2 year old stuff plus maybe beginning of molars. UGGGHHHH I hope this does not go on forever! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761485 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 08:53:53 +0000 Portboston 2761485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with 2 yr molars. It's been a rough ride for us. Every single molar cause about a week or two of near constant meltdowns. As a sahm, I'm starting to have meltdowns myself!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761478 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 08:38:24 +0000 MrsADS 2761478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babynumber1 his language has definitely been exploding in the last month, new words and phrases literally daily, so that could play a role as well. He gets SO MAD when he says something "new" and I don't immediately understand what he is saying! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761476 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 08:36:32 +0000 babynumber1 2761476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: Yes! We are in the same phase. I remember my oldest doing this also. It was the early terrible 2's. The good news was that it only lasted a couple of months. We found that her language exploded around the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761446 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 07:41:41 +0000 MrsADS 2761446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks guys. Sounds like it could be a normal phase, could be 2 year molars, or could be an illness. I'm taking him to the ped his morning just to rule out ear infection. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761396 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 22:47:51 +0000 travellingbee 2761396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry to say it doesn't sound abnormal for my kids anyway. Usually there was something we could say was a cause like a mental growth spurt or ear infection or teething or sleep deprivation/schedule being messed with... but they both have definitely gone through phases where they are like Dr Jekel and Mr Hyde... Crazy irrational tantrums that we couldn't do anything but wait out... it sucks. Hope you find some cause/relief! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761383 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 21:29:44 +0000 gotkimchi 2761383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter did this too at that age! Often after naps. Honestly I just made sure she was someplace safe (the floor) and ignored it. Nothing seemed to help and everything seemed to make it worse. Sometimes I would just put out a cup of milk and turn on a show in a different room for when she snapped out of it. Kids are weird. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761379 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 21:01:20 +0000 gingerbebe 2761379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had canines around 17-19 months and that sucked but the two year molar saga started around 22/23 months, then it was quiet for a bit, then I know around 26 months was awful, then we got the last molar 28 months? It was like 7-10 days of horror, then 2 weeks normal, then another week of cranky pants and low grade fever, then another week or two of normal, repeat repeat repeat. The molar hurts when it's pushing up and moving into position, then when it cuts its awful because it inches out a bit at a time so the gum is all pulled (I actually thought he had a huge canker sore at first), etc. I don't know why it took my son so long but it was brutal when he was in pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761375 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 20:32:23 +0000 Corduroy 2761375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 25 months and we recently went through a similar phase of awful fits. We took him to the doctor for ear infections (none). Things actually improved once he turned 2. My DD was the same way. I was just telling DH last night that we never would have made it through the terrible 2's with her if they were like the period from 20mi to 2 years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761372 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 20:15:57 +0000 Foodnerd81 2761372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: what age did you notice the two year molars starting? My 19 month old just went through a super fussy stage and I suspected that, but she also had a virus soni really don't know what it was. She's better now but I wonder when to watch for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761371 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 20:13:58 +0000 gingerbebe 2761371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could it be his two year molars? Those molars took FFFOOOOORREEEEEVVVEEEERRRRR and he would be crazy for a week or two and then be okay and then go back to being nuts. It was awful. They hurt him way before we even saw anything and then it took a forever to come in and they came in one molar at a time. Ugh. He couldn't eat and refused to eat anything for days. We used Orajel when he was hysterical and clawing things out of his mouth and lots of ibuprofen for months. I had severely impacted wisdom teeth and know how horrifically painful that is so I was super liberal with painkillers and popsicles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761350 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 18:57:45 +0000 Foodnerd81 2761350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: that sounds like my daughter when she has an ear infection. I would take him in to get checked- worst that happens is they say it's not that but at least you know. Best case they can give you a drug that will fix it in a couple days. My daughter never gets a fever wth ear infections, though her sleep is usually affected. </p> <p>It could be something like being overtired but the fact that it just started would make me want to get him checked out. Has he had a cold or congestion recently? That can lead to the ear infection. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761345 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 18:39:21 +0000 MrsADS 2761345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte I have thought that might be it, although it seems to be inconsistent. Today I thought that might be it, although he did have a snack at daycare. He won't eat or drink anything once he gets worked up though. And yesterday the meltdown was post-nap, but he had just had a big cup of milk after waking up so I doubt it was hunger. Hard to know! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761344 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 18:36:11 +0000 charlotte 2761344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of my kids have done a similar thing, right at that same age (my youngest now at 22 months) except: instead of post-daycare it is post-nap at home. I've tried to sort out a million reasons why and I really think it might be a phase at that age..POSSIBLY mixed with some low blood sugar / hunger in our case. Does he get a good snack and drink before he leaves daycare or after he gets home, pre-dinner? </p> <p>So sorry you are dealing with this and I hope it gets better soon I know it's so hard when they are inconsolable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-2-year-old-horrific-meltdowns-normal#post-2761340 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 18:26:04 +0000 MrsADS 2761340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son will be 2 in a month. He has been having some normal toddler tantrums over the last 6 months for various toddlerish things, especially when he's tired or hungry. Ok, no problem, doesn't faze me.</p> <p>However, in the last 1-2 weeks, especially in the last 4-5 days, he has been having these *horrible* meltdowns over what seems like nothing and he is way more upset. Today he got home after daycare, normally I hug him, then we play outside. He said "NO" when I went to hug him, I asked if he wanted to go outside and he said "NO" and then just started screaming and melting down. It lasts forever - like 20-25 minutes which feels like an eternity. He is inconsolable and won't let us touch him, if we even get near him he goes ballistic (even more). Also it's this weird high pitch scream, it almost sounds like he's in pain or something. It seems way worse than the normal tantrums. It is very distressing for me and my husband because we feel so powerless and it scares us when he's like that. It has been happening more frequently over the last few days. And sometimes I can't even figure out what sets it off. (Like for example a "normal" tantrum might be when we have to come inside after playing outside and doesn't last nearly as long)</p> <p>I'm thinking about taking him to the doctor to rule out an ear infection or something like that, although he doesn't have a fever or any other symptoms and is eating and sleeping fine. My other thought was maybe 2 year molars coming in? </p> <p>I am hoping the answer is not "this is normal toddler tantrums and get used to it" because it's horrible. :crying: He is a pretty high needs/sensitive kid who doesn't cope well with being overtired, hungry etc and definitely is prone to meltdowns, but never anything like this. I don't know. </p>