Hello!

I have a two year old daughter who never listens when she is asked or told to do something, gives cheeky looks and back chats. Also refuses to eat main meals and all through the day asks for junk food. We say no when she asks. We never went through this with our son, who is now four. Just wondering if anyone has any tips on dealing with 2 year old behaviour?

Emailed in by Becky 1.3.2013


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  • Two year olds are a handful! I have one at the moment!
    One thing I find is that talking to them rationally and explaining things does get through, as they understand more than you imagine they do (hard to believe when they’re throwing a tantrum though!!)
    Good luck – soon they’ll be onto the next phase!


  • I have one of those! and only advice I can offer is to follow through with anything you say- positive or negative, as they don’t forget anything. …


  • your the parent don’t let her get away with it and stay strong its hard but she wont starve


  • ignore her, stay calm, offer meals, no treats, no child has ever starved when food has been available, she is taking advantage of you, I would use time out when she is cheeky and make it clear to her that it is not acceptable and that there is consequences when you misbehave. offer enticements such as a star board if she behaves for a period of time, such as all morning, with a reward if she gets 5 stars etc, make the goals small and achievable, her behaviour will take time to change as she would not have become naughty overnight and she will not improve instantly. just keep calm and enjoy the time with your child they do grow up.


  • the junk food may have an impact on his behaviour . how r u going now


  • How is she going now?


  • How is she now? Might be a phase she was going through.


  • Stick to your guns, it is never an easy job. Hope you are winning the battle.


  • I hope things have improved!


  • I have had issues with my son he refused to eat unless it had sugar in it. I had cupcakes on the table cooling and as he ran away from his tea he stole one :S. At the moment I am dishing him up small amounts of what we are all eating and make sure there is at least one thing I know he will eat on a normal day.


  • I hope things have gotten better for you since you posted this question. As said previously, discipline and persistence are definitely the key. Just keep reminding yourself she will grow out of it eventually as long as you let her know this behaviour will not get her what she wants


  • Yep I agree, the terrible 2 stage…


  • That’s why there called terrible 2’s lol he’ll grow out of it..


  • Whatever you do persistence and patience are the key if you get upset she knows she has caused a reaction


  • Terrible two’s! Terrible isn’t it. I used timeout when my daughter was in this stage. Find a form of discipline that works for you and be persistent with it.


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