Trying to control a screaming 2yr old!!

[Meezy]

I am a nanny to a couple children, 2yrs and 6mo. The 6mo is an angel, she never cries unless she's starving or extremely sleepy. But the 2yr old never shuts up. Her mother never taught her any respect or obedience towards others. She does whatever she wants, says every thing is hers. And screams when she doesn't get what she wants the moment she wants it.

Now we have to drive to California next week and I'm supposed to take care of them both, and I'm very weary of the idea and was wondering if anyone knew of any tricks or quick fixes?

[Xero]

Well that's fairly normal (maybe if a little on the worse side of the scale) 2 year old behavior. They're testing everything, and pushing everyone's buttons to find their place in the world and to develop their little personalities.

But a long trip can be hard. Are you saying that they will be in the car, taking the trip along with you? If so, that will be hard!! Its not easy to travel far with small children, and I avoid it at all costs if I can haha. But if you have to take them, there are a few things I would say you can do. If it is at all possible to get your hands on a portable dvd player, I would do that so they have something to look at and watch. Also, bring stuff with you! Lots of stuff! Bring a bag with all those good things that stop tantrums in it. Pack things in it like a couple different snacks, a couple different drinks, several different favorite toys, a nice blanket, some stickers, a couple coloring books, anything you can think of that might occupy her attention. Try to put in as much variety as you can, because toddlers have those wonderfully short attention spans lol. So just change it up a lot, and keep things interesting, and keep her mind occupied.

Sometimes when nothing else works there is always the option of turning the radio up to neutralize things. Either way, good luck!!

[bssage]

Originally Posted by Meezy

But the 2yr old never shuts up. Her mother never taught her any respect or obedience towards others

Really. She is 2. They don't typically learn respect @ 1. This is when you teach them how to behave. I wouldn't be to harsh on the mother until you have a 2 yr old of your own. They haven't coined the phrase "the terrible two's" for nothing, and its not a joke.

Some kids are low maintenance and some are high. Just like adults. My duaghter has never required much intervention in regards to her behavour. My son on the other hand is a different story.

Tips

Take frequent breaks. Get her to get some vigorous exercise at the roadside parks when you can. or if the weather is bad stop someplace she can walk around inside. Don't plan to drive "strait through" Have plenty of snacks that wont make her belly ache. DVD earphones ect. And be playful.

Good luck on your trip. And try and help her have fun. Its gonna be a challenge.

[Xero]

Originally Posted by bssage

Really. She is 2. They dont typically learn respect @ 1. This is when you teach them how to behave. I wouldnt be to harsh on the mother until you have a 2 yr old of your own. The have'nt coined the phrase "the terrible two's" for nothing, and its not a joke.

I agree. I guess this is where the phrase "The people who think they know the most about how to raise kids, are the ones that don't have any" comes in. lol

[Meezy]

Thanks, but what about long term? I'm more along the lines of that one movie that Scarlet Johanson was in, "The nanny daries"? when she was with the kid allll the time.

I know kids scream and shout, but last week we had nap time and some time in the middle she woke up and took off her diaper and took a dump all over the floor, and then sat in it.

She also repeats things her mommy says, so if she gets really mad and says, "shut the f word up", then she repeats it. Or we'll tell her not to do something and I swear she'd run out in the middle of traffic if she could get away with it.

[xox.ilu.xox]

my two year old girl screams and tantrums too, and we teach her manners etc. but like bssage said, they dont call them terrible twos for nothing. after the second year its supposed to get better apparently. everyone elses suggestions are awesome! DVD's, toys, music she likes (ipod with some headphones). just gotta have patience and be prepared!!

[Xero]

It could be worse! My friend just told me about how her daughter woke up and took off her poopy diaper and smeared it all over the walls. haha

And I don't understand how you think there is anything abnormal about a toddler repeating things you say?? Sometimes I slip up and say the f word and my son totally repeats it. How on earth could he have any idea whether the f word is allowed to be said or not, if I am saying it in front of him as if it is a word to be used like all the rest of them?? That's not the girl's fault, that's her mother's fault for not watching her mouth.

And at that age, they test their boundaries, and they like to try and do things they know they're not allowed. Sometimes just to see what will happen lol. I would just stay consistent in not allowing her to do things, and if she goes out of her way to break the rules, keep up with consistent discipline such as time out. Two is a difficult age, and the year of learning. Like bssage said, its the terrible two's. Its hard on parents and caregivers because their kids are just beginning to understand their boundaries. Give it time, she will grow out of it for the most part.

[Meezy]

Originally Posted by Xero

I agree. I guess this is where the phrase "The people who think they know the most about how to raise kids, are the ones that don't have any" comes in. lol

I don't think I know everything. I just know that its my job to watch them, and everything I enforce gets thrown out the window when mommy is around.

[xox.ilu.xox]

Originally Posted by Xero

It could be worse! My friend just told me about how her daughter woke up and took off her poopy diaper and smeared it all over the walls. haha

LMFAO!!!! my daughter did that too, granted it was a hot summer day and she went for a nap in her diaper cuz it was too hot. lol. so fun to clean up when you have the stomach flu :S

[Xero]

Yeah, it would be hard to be a secondary caregiver. Why are you around when mom is around? Are you live-in or something? I hate to say it, but really there's not much you can do because what mom says goes. They are her kids, and she knows them best. You know? If she wants to deal with bad behavior when she is home, let her. When she's gone, enforce the consistent discipline that you expect them to follow in your care. Most kids are pretty good with that. My son gets away with things at my mom's house that he doesn't get away with here. And he knows that. They adapt pretty well.

And honestly, I referenced that phrase because I think its kind of ignorant for anyone to say that a two year old "never shuts up" and "has no respect". At two, they're still just babies. You can't really say nasty stuff like that about a baby, who is really still very innocent to the world.