The Terrible Twos

I'd heard a lot about "the terrible twos". I'd heard toddlers could be demanding, whiney, loud, emotional, prone to temper tantrums and generally just out of control. For the first few months of Brandon's "twos" he didn't really display this behaviour - at least not that often. I thought maybe we'd sail right past "the terrible twos" and get hit once he turned three. This wasn't to be though. Brandon is still a very happy little boy but like other toddlers, can seemingly loose his mind at the drop of a hat.
We never know what's going to set him off. It could be something as simple as giving him orange juice instead of apple juice. Maybe we asked him to put on his socks. Maybe he was looking for the cat and couldn't find him. It's all very random really. We don't live in fear of him having a fit but simply take his outbursts in stride and place him on "the naughty step" when the behaviour calls for it.
I was giving his tantrums some thought the other day. I believe he has them because he doesn't know what he wants. Now that he's older, he can make choices about things. Sometimes I think the choices overwhelm him.
Last week, while he was busy giving us all sorts of attitude, my friend sent me a link to a blog. The blog is written by the father of two young boys. It's quite funny (I think) because I can relate so much to his posts. I'd like to re-post one of my favourites here - I think he nailed Brandon in this one :-)

Approximately 3 Minutes in the Mind of My Two year Old

by JASON GOOD on AUGUST 7, 2012

Each of these “emotions” lasts about 3 seconds.

1. I wanna play with Daddy’s phone.
2. I wanna put on Mommy’s shoes.
3. GET MOMMY’S SHOES OFF MY FEET NOW!
4. I wanna open and close the thermostat.
5. I wanna turn on and off the light on the microwave.
6. Is there anyone here with a phone I haven’t played with yet?
7. I NEED TO PUSH SOME GODDAMN BUTTONS.
8. I wanna pick up the cat by its head.
9. I wanna throw all the toothbrushes in the sink.
10. HOLY SHIT I’M STARVING.
11. CHEDDAR BUNNIES.
12. I HATE FRUIT.
13. I want out of my chair.
14. I wanna play with the iPad.
15. I wanna go outside. No, I wanna turn the heat on.
16. I wanna take my pants off.
17. I don’t like the shirt I’m wearing.
18. I wanna play with Mommy’s phone.
19. I NEED TO PUSH MORE BUTTONS NOW.
20. I’m thirsty.
21. No, not for that.
22. Yes, perfect, juicebox. I’m gonna squeeze this damn thing all over myself.
23. Where’s Daddy?
24. Where’s the cat?
25. Where’s Mommy?
26. SERIOUSLY WHERE’S MOMMY!?
27. Oh my God I think Mommy left forever.
28. Ok, there’s mommy. I want to play with her phone.
29. Hungry again. Never mind.
30. I just remembered not liking these pants. Get them off.
31. STOP TAKING OFF MY PANTS!
32. Wow, I’m starving. I want peas but I don’t know how to tell anyone.
33. Finally, peas. I like throwing these.
34. WHY DO I STILL HAVE THESE PANTS ON?
35. Oh look, a new person. I wonder if they have a phone.
36. I’m tired.
37. I’M NOT TIRED!
38. I wanna go for a walk but I don’t wanna go outside.
39. No, not inside either!
40. I need to push some buttons right now.
41. I hate this diaper.
42. My eyes itch.
43. WOW! Is this my toe?
44. STOP TRYING TO TAKE MY PANTS OFF!
45. I hate these pants.
46. This shirt itches.
47. I’m tired.
48. Stop asking me if I’m tired.
49. Where’s that toy that goes beep?
50. I wanna take a bath in my clothes.
51. Put on my favorite song.
52. Where’s the cat?
53. What is UP with my shirt?
54. Did I just hear a dog bark?
55. YOU DID NOT JUST TRY TO TAKE OFF MY SHIRT AGAIN!
56. I wanna see a dog.
57. No, not OUTSIDE! I wanna see a dog inside.
58. Is my penis still there? Good.
59. I peed.
60. I’m bored.

Repeat.