my 2 1/2 son is really a bad egg

[worrieddad88]

why does he lash out at everyone in the family by yelling & hitting? this morning for no reason he threw a baseball at his 5 yr. old sister and this is his normal abuse. my wife asked him why does he hit, why is he so ruff, why do you always get in trouble, his response.....It's my job mom in a totally serious look & answer.................HELP US

[AHP84]

I agree with the other ladies; he's a two year old boy. Boys are usually more aggressive and sometimes higher energy than girls (I mention this because you also say you have a daughter).
What stood out to me about your post is that you said your wife asks him why he does the things he does.
He's two years old. He can't reason. You can't ask a two year old questions like that and expect any more of a reasonable answer than "it's my job." I can guarantee you he doesn't know why he does these things. He just does them because he is a child and has not learned the logic of "think before you act" and "respect others" very well just yet. A toddler acts on impulse, and has to be taught to accept consequences so as he grows up, he hopefully learns that acting on an impulse is not "his job."
I'd suggest that if he does something on impulse again that is harmful or disrespectful to someone or something, don't ask him why he did it. TELL him what he did wrong, why it's unacceptable, and make a consequence for him. There is no need to ask him why he does what he does. Just guide him to do the right thing by establishing boundaries for his behavior and enforcing the boundaries.
Don't try to reason with a toddler. No one wins.

[specialmom]

I agree.  He's only 2.  Often an older sibling is doing something and appears innocent when the little one acts out.  I think calling your child a bad egg means he is right that he is living up to the job you gave him in the family.  My husband and I called our youngest a "stinker" for a bit until I realized that we are telling him how to behave like that and defining his position in the family.  Catch him doing the right thing and make a big deal out of it so that he learns to get attention for posative vs negative things.  And this is the kind of kid I would make sure no yelling or spanking of him is taking place.  Good luck

[margypops]

I doubt very much that a 2year old is a very bad egg may be a good idea to find out if the 5 year old did anything to him first,this is often the case where the older siblings are jealous and try to get the younger one into trouble so be aware that this does happen watch for your self how it starts .you may find also he is copying a behavior he has seen. good luck