Terrible Twos or Something More?

Terrible twos - totally normal behavior.

Whatever discipline you choose, it has to be immediate, consistent and predictable. Don't "try" different ways. Pick one and stick with it - it takes a while for them to learn that you mean what you say and be able to predict your reaction to a behavior. Time-outs work well for us.

In addition go through a second round of childproofing. If he can open the existing locks, get different ones. If you can't take your eyes off him, either keep him with you (yes, even to the bathroom) or put him in a safe space, such as a gated bed/playroom.

Good luck!

when my girls were this age, I kept baby gates on the doorway to the kitchen, so they couldn't even get into the cabinets, and to the dining room. So basically, if I had to leave the room, all they had access to was the living room, which was as safe as it could be. We don't have a coffee table, we just had a sectional couch, a tv (that was also gated so they couldn't reach it), and their toys! My girls are climbers as well, they just didn't have anywhere to go.
I probably would have brought the younger one with me when I left the room that my older one was in.
if you want to go the dicipline route, then just point out the things that he is not to touch, and put him in time out if he does. he's old enough to get the point pretty quickly.

Hi, yes this is normal. He is just testing his limits. If I were you, I would nip that in butt right away. Climbing like that can result in him getting very hurt, and he needs to quit being mean to his sibling. Have you ever tried Supernanny? I tried the "naughty chair technique" with my oldest son,and he was a new kid immediately. She has a few books, but they are cheap and the technique is very easy and it works brilliantly. Good luck!

I decided that from 1 1/2 years old to 2 1/2 years old, you need to watch them at all times - they simply do not know what is dangerous, and they are quite mobile. Obviously you need to watch any child, but as they get older they start to discern danger and take more responsibility, varying with the child. Nicely saying no and watching and sometimes moving them away from a problem area - you will do fine.

Hi T.-

This is totally normal behavior for that age! Don't worry. The biggest problem is figuring out how to discipline him in a way that will work. I have a two year old boy, and I recently took a parenting training from www.oneweekparentingmiracle.com. I have learned a great time-out technique that has really worked wonders for my little boy. I just do two minutes at a time but after a week of being consistent, he comes out of time out happy and doesn't repeat the behavior. It's been great. Check out this website, I hope it will help you!

E.

Totally typical! My 23 mos. old daughter has been doing the same thing forever. I just keep an eye on her at all times (obviously) and figure she'll get bored it sooner or later. Don't be too hard on a two year old. They need less discipline and more positive attention for good behavior--and also redirection at this age (I think).

I have three boys... been there, done that, I turned around and my 2 yr old was on top of the bunk bed jumping around, YIKES!!!!! we took the ladder down from then on. Boys like to climb ( and so do girls from what I understand) start with basic time outs, they do work if you are consistent with them. I do believe that you do have to give them safe opportunities to climb, tell them that they can climb at the playground but not in the house... and take them to the playground often :)