I think that its easier said than done when people tell you not to shout at her as it is frustating! I have a two year old little girl who says 'no' and 'nothing' to almost everything i say to her! It is normal and it is also normal for you to react, i bet you find yourself thinking 'why am i arguing with a two year old?' I know i do!
First off I think two is not to young to know right from wrong, however testing your boundries is all part of development. Just plod on, stay firm and try to stay calm, she will push you but she is probably just curious! it will get better x

First of all please be aware that this is really normal behaviour – commonly known as “The Terrible Twos”! Your little girl has suddenly found her independence and is not being “naughty” so using a naughty corner or step isn’t really going to help. Show your little girl respect and that her opinions matter to you while making sure that she also realises that she does have to do things that you want! Give her a choice about HOW she does something not IF she will do it. If you want her put her toy away, give her 5 minutes warning and then give her the choice of putting the toy in a box or in a bag or ask her where she would like to put it. If you are going out (another favourite battleground for two year olds!) give her the choice of which coat or hat she will wear or even which route to take. As for the ornaments, she does need to understand that some things are yours and not to be touched but I would put any really precious and fragile items out of reach while this phase lasts.

I know it's hard but try not to shout as this will be counterproductive. Be firm but remain calm.

my son was 2 in may and he was exactly the same. i used the naughty step and after a few days it worked. now if hes naughty i dont even need to tell him off because he takes himself to the step. then he comes and says sorry to me.

i know how u feel my daughter is almost 20months old and i am due baby number 2 in just under 7weeks and she has started sayin no to everything and screamin and just playin up in general and i get so fustrated and usually end up shoutin and forcing her to pick up what she has thrown on the floor or have to take the phone of her which usually makes her scream more but lately i have been putting her on the naughty step and it seems to be working and when i ask her to do somethin if she says no and is starting to act up i tell her she is being naughty and ask her if she wants to go on the naughty step she usually says no and i tell her if she doesnt do as she is told and doesnt stop bn naughty that is where she will go and she usually understands enough to do as she is told. i think its just a case of trial and error as to what will work to make her associate naughty behavour with a punishment and then she should hopefully realise that she doesnt get her own way acting like that and will b less likely to play up.

hi,i understand your frustration but you shouldnt shout at her. i think shes 2 young 4 u 2 think shes being naughty so the naughty corner is not a good idea. shes just going though a phase n she knows it annoys u thats y she keeps doing it. try not risin 2 it n she will soon get bored n grow out of it. good luck xx

One of the annoying features of all toddlers as far as parents are concerned is exactly this kind of negativism –as you have discovered they want to say “no” to absolutely everything. It might help you to realise this is a very normal stage of development. Children this age are just programmed to start making a bid for independence –this is really a vital stage towards real independence. It does involve lots of behaviour that seems completely unreasonable to parents. Your child is also testing out what it means to be a separate person from you with a mind of her own, and though this can feel hard it is also essential for her development.



It is wrong to think of it as naughty as she is not really doing it to wind you up, even though it feels like that. It is usually a mistake to go in very heavy-handed forcing toddlers to do things as this inevitably ends up in tantrums. It works much better to try and distract them onto something else or to use humour to get her to do something you want –pretending to put on her shoes if she refuses, racing her to see who can get the bath, that kind of thing.



From a practical point of view, it really helps to toddler-proof your home, to cut down the opportunities for the frustrations. The more you can avoid these unnecessary battles the happier everybody will be. It also really helps if you can try to say no less often –I know this is hard but toddlers also copy all your actions and reactions and the parents of toddlers are very often saying no all day too! Try to use positive requests as often as possible.

Hi there rjbailey1986, i have read your post and i am more then happy to advice you. number 1 do not shout at her as she is only a child just go up to her and be firm with her and lrt her know that what she is doing is wrong and that you are very up set, number 2 if she does not do what you are asking go into a next room take a deep breath and then go back in and say to her I AM GONNING TO ASK YOU ONE MORE TIME ........ then if she refuses ask her do you want to go to bed? it should work if not reply back to me and i will advise you on what to do next.