[mommy blues]

I have a 2.5 yr old and a 10 month old. My two year old battles me on EVERYTHING. Getting dressed, brushing his teeth, food and no longer wants to use the potty. I am exhausted and feel like I'm doing everything wrong. I'm attention is split in half with my 10 month getting into everything she can. I don't think I'm giving either of my kids the attention they need. Please help!

[tickle]

You need a break, mom, to get everything back in perspective. They may miss you so much they will be glad to see you and probably be a lot better behaved.

Do you ever get a babysitter for a good period ?

Tick

[MsMewiththat]

The babysitter is awesome advice. However in the meantime and when you get back you do have to figure away to cope with your split attention. Sometimes that is exactly what the two year old may very well be trying to work through. Part of it is terrible two's. It will get better. Once you are calmed they will stay calm. When you get ruffled they will tend to unwind a little as well. Try to stay calm, take lots of breaks in the day for quiet time. Try to find small pieces of time to be alone with each so they can see that they have your undivided attention and they are not fighting each other for it. BREATH... one day at a time.

[jenniepepsi]

You are not doing anything wrong... and he is simply being 2. and there isn't much you can do to stop him from being stubborn, other than stick to your guns, do not give in to him, and stick to a routine.

Good luck hon. 2s are hard. But this is easy compaired to the additude you will be getting in a year or so :P

[J_9]

I'm sorry, but as a mother of 4 (22, 21, 15 and 7), I got a chuckle out of the title of your post.

You don't get your 2 year old to cooperate in the way you want. At 2 they are trying to develop a sense of independence. Now the 10 month old comes in to focus and your 2 year old senses that he is no longer the baby. Potty training comes to a HALT. It's called regression and is perfectly normal and natural.

You have to provide realistic goals for a 2 year old. What is realistic for you is completely different that what is realistic for a 2 year old.

Stop the potty training for the time being, it will only be traumatic for you and your son. Let your son do it on his own. Remember that no child goes to kindergarten in diapers.

[aboleth]

I agree, I chuckled at the title as well. Man that age is so hard. They have all these new things going on in their heads and not all the tools to express it... AHHHH!! As posted before, stick to your guns, and don't let them see you sweat.