How to discipline a Terrible Two? Please HELP!!

Dear All,


My son is two years and three months old. He is probably the most violent student in his school as far as I see. Whenever he is not satisfied, he hits everyone and anyone including his classmate, me, daddy, the maid, grandparents, and even the teachers or even strangers... we have used every ways to stop him including verbal and physical punishment, confiscating his beloved toys, rewarding system etc etc... but it seems that he can't control himself whenever things do not work in his way... and you know how hard it is to control a two year old when in public area like restaurants and hotels... what can I do?? what should I do? where did he pick up this behavior and how to stop it...


any one with similar experience? any solution??


desperate mom !_!

Ok I'm going to just throw this out there and hate me if you will, but there is such a thing as a male child being overloaded with testosterone and extremely agressive. Additionally your child may get more hormonal when eating certain things. For example, I don't handle sugar very well and even as an adult if I indulge too much I bounce of the walls. Both are normal conditions, not serious and can be treated. Have you considered asking a doctor? It is perfectly normal for a boy to be agressive, and not listen, and throw tantrums but everything you desribe sounds extreme. I will say Saikunga's suggestion for Supernanny is great, but it has to go hand in hand with extreme changes in schedules and diets if it is to work.


I am sorry sharona : ( Try not to let his behaviour - whatever is causing it, disrupt everything.

Could it be he is frustrated as he may not know otherwise how to communicate his dissatisfaction? Does he know how to verbalize his emotions other than lashing out?

Agreed Saikunga as it is a major growth spurt hormonally, like 13 years or 18 years. But I have to tell you even though I myself was a good child I was a horrible teenager with anger issues, and my son does get angry. However I have conditioned him to release his anger in other ways and I grab him before I see the anger getting out of control. I've seen other children his age who exhibit the same behaviour and you have to pay attention to cause and reaction and almost jump up at the sign of aggressive behaviour. I just talk to my son and tell him I understand he's angry but he can't act that way. What can I say, I was still impatient when he was born and I'm still a complete hard arse now. I don't really give him room to misbehave and then I highly praise his achievements and good behaviour. Watch how now I've said that it backfires!

Thank you everyone for your useful and valuable advice!! I think the diet on sugar is a possible reason for his behavior...his teacher also mentioned to me about this before. he just loves candies and the sweet stuff. Of course I control it strictly, but sometimes you need to give him some incentives...you know. He seems to have some improvement after the mid term break, but I don't have the energy to follow him through as I just realize that I am pregnant again... feeling so tired and sometimes sentimental... when I think of redoing the whole thing again...both my husband and myself are "scared"... oh well...we are happy afterall, but another year of hardship and sleepless nights...

Oh, I know why my son's behavior has improved. He just suddenly changed as soon as I told him that he's going to be a big brother and he will become a role model for his little brother/sister. And we bought him a doll for him to take care two weeks ago indeed. So, he seems to understand about his coming responsibility and he is trying to control himself better. Hope this improvement is sustainable...

Again, many thanks to all of your inputs!!!