https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 20 Jun 2026 02:48:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820517 Sat, 05 May 2018 06:57:17 +0000 wrkbrk 2820517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: Totally makes sense. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820497 Fri, 04 May 2018 22:00:07 +0000 Sams Mom 2820497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: my son is only 2 so he doesn't pick out everyone's cars, but he thinks all black extended cab F-150s in the same model year range as my husband is Dad, and 100 white SUVs could drive by, but he knows my traverse from down the street if he's playing outside when I get home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820496 Fri, 04 May 2018 21:54:32 +0000 annem1990 2820496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: The idea that "something bad will happen if I don't do_____" is what would concern me. For instance - having a meltdown because they think they will die (the Obsession) if they don't use the correct plate (the Compulsion). Some compulsions are less obvious, though. He might ask you 10 times (the Compulsion) if he will get sick (the Obsession) from eating a green potato chip.</p> <p>I am definitely not a Doctor...these are just experiences I have been through or seen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820486 Fri, 04 May 2018 21:01:46 +0000 SweetCaroline 2820486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: oh gosh, thanks for sharing. I was reading some of the comments and thinking "psh that's nothing..." glad to hear another one uses th eir great memory t ok feed their OCD :wink: :grin: goofballs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820485 Fri, 04 May 2018 20:58:59 +0000 wrkbrk 2820485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: Hahaha they really all are the same aren’t they? My son also lines up the other kids things at their cubbies and knows who is already there by car 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️😂😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820484 Fri, 04 May 2018 20:48:23 +0000 SweetCaroline 2820484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: totally normal. My 3 year old DD does very similar things. She also has all of her classmates boots memorized and gets bent out of shape if they are placed beneath the wrong hook. If there is a rogue hat or mitten, ask her--she knows whose it is. Also at daycare, she knows what vehicles 90% of the staff drive and when we pull in the parking lot she takes attendance and asks about any staff members whose vehicles are missing... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820466 Fri, 04 May 2018 19:11:44 +0000 wrkbrk 2820466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: Got it! Thanks for the detail. My kid will only eat certain things for sure but hasn’t expressed a concern about plate color etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820463 Fri, 04 May 2018 19:09:46 +0000 Pollywog 2820463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: the things that always struck me was ritualistic eating. So my cousin would only eat pancakes for breakfast (normal toddler), but it had to be on the blue plate with butter spreaz with the green knife. All of that could be normal, but if she had any deviation from the routine it was bad. Like she would be afraid that monsters would hurt her if she didn't do it right. This could just be an overactive imagination, but it got worse over time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820453 Fri, 04 May 2018 18:36:06 +0000 wrkbrk 2820453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: Bahahaha that’s a whole other level of specificity! ;) My son just loses his mind if I dare move one of his cars from their daily lineup that he’s imagined and executed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820452 Fri, 04 May 2018 18:34:34 +0000 Sams Mom 2820452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: it's so ridiculous! If I put this red train engine with the blue coal car, or put this Safari vehicles with his first responder vehicles it's the end of the world. The funny thing is he has the Melissa &amp; Doug first responder garage, it has 3 garages (red door, blue door, white door) he always put the ambulance in the white door, but was bound and determined that the firetruck went in the blue one and the police car in the red one. It drove my husband crazy because he's a cop (I think our son knew it bothered him) and firefighters are their "enemies", but once my husband gave up correcting it our son started putting them in the right garages. 🤣 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820448 Fri, 04 May 2018 18:23:51 +0000 wrkbrk 2820448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: @Pollywog: If you don’t mind, could you give some examples of how it could manifest in toddlers or small children? I’m just curious. I’ve also thought it about my son but I’m 99% sure it’s just 2 year old behavior.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820445 Fri, 04 May 2018 18:23:03 +0000 wrkbrk 2820445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: You’re describing my son! Especially about the cars. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820442 Fri, 04 May 2018 17:52:47 +0000 Pollywog 2820442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Severe OCD runs in my family and often shows up in toddlers. What you describe sounds annoying, but not OCD. Sorry your son's teacher was playing arm chair psychologist. It sucks when they get you worried without knowing true watch signs.</p> <p>Also, solidarity. My 27 month old is the exact same. Things have to be his way. He can do it himself. Just at the speed of a snail. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820435 Fri, 04 May 2018 16:39:44 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2820435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am glad to read other people’s experiences with these lovable particular dictators. The worst example of it I can remember is when my son went through his dental work and the sedative medicine was wearing off. He would flip out about every single thing and his normal idiosyncratic toddler/preschooler behavior was like amplified to the max. At one point, we were giving him ibuprofen for pain, both of us sitting in the kitchen floor. The chewable tab fell, and I picked it up and wiped it off and gave it to him. He got so pissed off he dramatically put it back on the floor and then picked it up again :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820421 Fri, 04 May 2018 15:17:43 +0000 travellingbee 2820421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: thanks for clarifying! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820416 Fri, 04 May 2018 14:40:15 +0000 annem1990 2820416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister and I both have OCD but it manifests in different ways. I feel very knowledgeable about it and I see zero signs of it from what you described. OCD is much different than what people think. It’s not just wanting things a certain way...that’s just personality :silly: </p> <p>For instance, I am an extremely clean/organized person, but I have no OCD thoughts/rituals around cleanliness. My sister on the other hand is super messy, but her OCD is entirely related to “cleanliness.” Just because you like things a certain way and get frustrated when it’s not, has nothing to do with OCD. That’s just life! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820414 Fri, 04 May 2018 14:30:33 +0000 LadyDi 2820414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so glad you posted this! I ask DH all of the time if he thinks DS1 has OCD. He always has to repeat things if they aren't done his way. Just this morning when we were leaving Target I put him in his carseat instead of letting him climb in himself and he melted down until I put him BACK in the cart and we started the whole process over again. DH fights him on things like that, but I just don't have the energy. He's very specific about what cup he wants his milk out of, where on his plate I have to put the ketchup, etc. Sometimes it's cute and quirky but it drives me a little nuts, especially when I am trying to get something done quickly. Basically, I don't think it's abnormal and I completely sympathize. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820412 Fri, 04 May 2018 14:22:21 +0000 Jennibenni 2820412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Almost 3 year old. Same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820316 Fri, 04 May 2018 10:35:11 +0000 travellingbee 2820316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: Oh my god this is my child. OK our kids are normal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820314 Fri, 04 May 2018 10:33:07 +0000 Sams Mom 2820314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son that is 2y1m is an absolute terd about having things just so here lately. His cars have to be lined up, if certain trucks or trains came together in a pack they have to be kept together. He has to buckle the chest clip in his carseat by himself. He has to get his own cup. He has to be able to drag his chair to the fridge to get his own chessestick because heaven forbid mom grabbed the very cheesestick he wanted for him. He can't have dirty hands if he gets food or dirt or whatever on them, we have to go wash them. If he gets something on his clothes we have to take it off and put it in the washer. </p> <p>If we don't do things how he thinks is just so, there is screaming, crying, throwing, melting to the floor, tantrum... And then just like a switch being flipped, he's over it. It drives me absolutely crazy.</p> <p>So I'm going to tell you it's normal so I can tell myself this is normal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820313 Fri, 04 May 2018 10:31:14 +0000 travellingbee 2820313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: He must get his OCD from Dad then ha ha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820312 Fri, 04 May 2018 10:30:06 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2820312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: Yeah, toddler speed is a challenge. I have to clean out the backseat of my car because the clutter is causing distractions and delays. Ha. I’m hoping his toddler particulars turn him into a meticulous student. </p> <p>Kinda funny. LO has 4 pairs of sneakers and opinions about which one he wants to wear. With me he will take his socks off if I try to put a pair on him that he doesn’t like. I don’t care which shoe he wears, but the funny part is DH does majorly. If I send him a pic and the shoes don’t enhance the outfit he is Mr. Grumpypants. :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820307 Fri, 04 May 2018 10:23:13 +0000 QBbride 2820307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds normal to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820306 Fri, 04 May 2018 10:19:06 +0000 travellingbee 2820306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I’m always happy to let him get in and out of the car on his own except when he is purposefully going slowly or not going at all. Today he kept saying that he wanted to do it but he wouldn’t actually get out. :bummed: Your LO sounds similar to mine with the napkin thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820305 Fri, 04 May 2018 10:16:47 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2820305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your son sounds slightly more OCD, but just slightly. :silly: Recently, I started being more firm with him and giving him less options and he’s been handling the adjustment well. Things that don’t matter much to me like him getting in and out of the car by himself I am happy to let him assert his independence. For meals he requires a napkin and sometimes is very concerned about how “new” it is (wants to see it come off the paper towel roll) and he places it just where it should be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820303 Fri, 04 May 2018 10:08:36 +0000 travellingbee 2820303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbookworm: Haha, OK good. I don't know why I can't get an easy going kid over here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820302 Fri, 04 May 2018 10:07:10 +0000 mrsbookworm 2820302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember a child behavior specialist at a group I attended saying that if you tested all toddlers for OCD, an alarming amount would have it 😝. It’s just the age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820290 Fri, 04 May 2018 09:51:36 +0000 travellingbee 2820290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yay! Y'all are making me feel better. I'm glad mine isn't the only crazy one :silly: My oldest is SO strong willed about everything but wasn't like this exactly. He is more defiant. We always thought this DS2 was less willful but lately this "Do it myself" stuff is showing that he does have a strong will as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820283 Fri, 04 May 2018 09:37:38 +0000 MrsADS 2820283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son (2y8m) does this too, especially when he is tired or already in a bad mood. It drives me CRAZY but I think it's normal. He is a VERY strong willed child, has a lot of tantrums and I think some of it is personality (he is just not very easy going). I don't think it's toddler OCD or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-my-toddler-have-ocd-or-is-this-normal#post-2820280 Fri, 04 May 2018 09:32:17 +0000 josina 2820280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3-1/2 year old just last night insisted on getting his orange out of the fridge himself; so after I got it for him, he crawled up into the fridge, set it back on the shelf, and then got it back out on his own. </p> <p>He has other little OCD things, like his blankets have to be perfect at bedtime, he has had mornings where he HAS to do the car seat himself, but I definetly wouldn't call it anything abnormal. </p> <p>The tantrums your LO exhibits sound super frustrating! For whatever reason with DS what has worked lately is asking him if he wants to have a good day or a bad day, if he says bad day it's time out (I ask him when he's tantruming), if he says good day, then he just decides to be completely fine and over his tantrum! </p>