I think the terrible twos are starting!

[ScarletLady02]

My DD turned 2 just before Christmas and I could do with some advice.

Up 'til now she's always been pretty easy to deal with (apart from sleeping issues, but that's just one of those things, and we're getting there). If I ask her to leave something, 9 times out of 10 she will. If she wants something and I say "no", most of the time she just says "okay" and forgets about it. I try not to say "no" too much, I'll distract if I can.

However the last few days she's discovered the word "no"! She got hold of something she shouldn't have, and I asked her to give it to me (I've tried putting everything out of the way but she's canny). Normally she would without a fuss, but she said "no" and ran off giggling. She's started saying "no" whenever I ask her to do something. Am I asking too much? Should I just tell her what's going to happen and do it? She's my PFB and I have no experience with toddlers.

The other thing that's difficult is she cannot understand the concept of waiting. If she wants something and she can't have it RIGHT NOW she has a meltdown. I try and explain as simply as I can that I'm just doing X first and then she can have/do Y. But I think she's too young to really understand and I don't know how to deal with it. Her speech is pretty good but she is only two and I don't know if I'm over-complicating how I talk to her. I've always spoken to her as I would an adult in terms of vocabulary, but just simplifying things into simple statements (if that makes sense). Do I just stick with it until she understands, or am I doing things wrong?

I know she's testing her boundaries and she doesn't do anything that's "naughty" as such, she's just being wilful but I don't know about discipline. I won't back down or give in if she has a tantrum because she wants something she can't have, but that's as far as I go in terms of anything like discipline.

I hope that all makes sense, I may have more to add.

[richpersoninapoorpersonsbody]

I have no help to offer but you have my sympathies as my DD is the same we have just suffered a 45 minute walk back from the shops and it usually takes 5 :-(