Toddler Behavior

[Gma]

Any suggestions for a spirited two year old who is demanding, consistently appears to be frustrated, and acts out by hitting and throwing objects? The hitting seems to be lessening as his mother takes his hands, looks him in the eye, and says "no hitting", followed by sending him to time-out.  Disciplining him in a similar manner for throwing things when he can't get his way has not been effective.  He is definitely in the "no" phase, but it is very trying when nearly all day long he is constantly challenging and reacting to all forms of control.  He refuses breakfast no matter how it's offered (giving him choices of what/where he'd like to eat or the other spectrum firmly telling him here is breakfast and you must eat it -- not having the meal doesn't work -- he's even more irritable.  There is no pleasing him, at least not for long, any suggestions?  Thank you.  Gma

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Actually, the behavior management you describe is right on target. Relative to meals, I would not enetr into any lengthy or involved conversations or negotiations over it. Sure, he can be offered choices when this is practical, but most of the time it makes sense to present whatever is arranged for the meal and let him decide if he wants to eat.

[franedd]

A related discussion, change in behavior was started.