What is the "normal range" as far as tantrums at two?

[Anonymous]

With 2 big transitions recently, even two complete meltdowns a day when tired or hungry is normal when two.

[Anonymous]

I was actually going to post to ask about my two year old’s tantrums…except she has about 10 a day, not per week. Your kid sounds totally normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would guess he is having a tantrum maybe 4 or 5 times a week. Recent ones have included:

He likes to say he is eleven and his sister told someone he is two.

I won’t let him dump water out of the bathroom onto the floor.

I “broke” his muffin to butter it.

I won’t let him join his brother’s travel soccer team’s practice.

About half the time he can be distracted, and the other half he’ll cry for 5 or 10 minutes, refusing any consolation, and then he’s suddenly done and wants cuddles.

He has had two big transitions recently, and I want to make sure this isn’t a sign he is stressed, but my sister says it’s typical at this age.

This one sounds very familiar

[Anonymous]

2 was worse than three with both my kids. That said, this was definitely out of the range of normal for us. My kids would get upset that many times for sure but food or sleep was all they needed. Tantrums? We had a handful of those total with both kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2 was worse than three with both my kids. That said, this was definitely out of the range of normal for us. My kids would get upset that many times for sure but food or sleep was all they needed. Tantrums? We had a handful of those total with both kids.

What do you see as the difference between "upset" and "tantrum"?

[Anonymous]

Sounds super normal, actually borderline easy kid.

[Anonymous]

He's autistic. Get him evaluated now!!! This isn't normal and you failed as a parent !!

[Anonymous]

How much sleep is he getting, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would guess he is having a tantrum maybe 4 or 5 times a week. Recent ones have included:

He likes to say he is eleven and his sister told someone he is two.

I won’t let him dump water out of the bathroom onto the floor.

I “broke” his muffin to butter it.

I won’t let him join his brother’s travel soccer team’s practice.

About half the time he can be distracted, and the other half he’ll cry for 5 or 10 minutes, refusing any consolation, and then he’s suddenly done and wants cuddles.

He has had two big transitions recently, and I want to make sure this isn’t a sign he is stressed, but my sister says it’s typical at this age.

Typical. Actually, the tantrums sound pretty short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much sleep is he getting, OP?

11 hours at night, wakes up on his own in the morning. 2 hour nap.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like he wants to do what his siblings are doing. Maybe get his siblings to do things he can do once in a while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like he wants to do what his siblings are doing. Maybe get his siblings to do things he can do once in a while.

His siblings are actually really good about including him. But he's a lot younger than they are, and they are also going to do things he can't do yet. Like soccer practice. I know there is two year old soccer practice, although right now we have decided that preschool and one swim lesson a week is plenty for him, but he doesn't want two year old soccer practice. He wants to be on his teenage brother's team, which isn't an option, or even really safe for him to be on the field given how fast the game moves at that age.

[Anonymous]

My sons major tantrums at 2-3 ended up being a precursor to adhd and emotional regulation challenges. He is 5 now. My experience was that it’s hard to diagnose much developmentally (besides very clear signs of autism) at that age given that there is such a large spectrum of typical behavior and maturity. That said, if you’re concerned, get on the long wait list for a developmental pediatrician evaluation. Your kid will be 3 by the time his name comes up, and if you are no longer concerned about the behavior you can cancel it.