High Energy Toddler

My little boy is 2years old, he’s always been such high energy. He runs around literally all day long, he’s non stop, climbing things, jumping off etc. He is at times naughty, he has a super short attention span and despite how much I adore him it is sometimes really tough. I work full time and it’s all a bit of juggle to be honest. I’ve been at a play group with a friend, and some of her friends. I can’t help but feel absolutely deflated after, all their little girls toddle about and play nicely and I’m always the one running off in all directions whilst my little boy slams doors or tries to tip everything over or does something for one minute before moving on and running off to something else. I get comments like ‘how do you do it’ or ‘I don’t think I could cope if mine was like that’ or saying they hope their next babies if they’re boys they don’t have as much energy etc. It’s just so bloody demoralising. I adore my boy, he’s the happiest soul, but he is chaotic. I don’t know if I’ve done something wrong and he’s chaos because I’ve not been good enough at parenting, I just feel so shitty sometimes. I got in the car, he fell asleep and I just burst into tears. I hate feeling like the one who’s watched or pitied. I don’t know if I should be looking at if this is a behavioural issue, or something more. I don’t know I just feel crap.

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Mine is the same. There are no boys in our family so I didn’t know whether it’s normal for little boys but my god it’s exhausting !

I have the same with my little boy so sitting in cafes and things are just a no go for me I try and get him to use his energy with lots of walking / riding his bike and then sometimes it eases but we call him a little hurricane

Im the same! As the previous person said activities with high proprioception input. Walks, playground, try a slightly weighted back pack to help him feel grounded. Also consider low sugar snack that take a lot of chewing. I suggest cereal bars over raisins (bad for teeth) or an apple cut into chunks or cheese chunks. I know it sounds daft but there is theory behind it! It takes some energy and concentration to chew chewy foods. If you can get them to sit. It helps with regulation. Have a google ☺️

My little boy is exactly like this. He runs, climbs and jumps at anything. I used to get really upset that he doesn’t sit in one spot and just play gently like some of my friends with girls but I started to realise: 1) climbing, jumping and running is brilliant in developing/ strengthening their bones and muscles 2) he is learning to be confident and independent 3) his gross motor and problem solving on how to climb up on something is being nurtured. He can climb on-top the big kid slide and has no fear and can independently walk up 16 stairs. He’s 2 and has interest on the monkey bars. 4) when he falls or hurts himself he get back up again and goes again- teaching resilience and failure is not a bad thing. 5) recently I’ve realise it’s his way of imagination play. He is just learning/ exploring the world in a different way. You are doing a brilliant job!

I want to say get new friends because the ‘I don’t think I could cope’ is such an unnecessary comment. Your son is 2 and all the things you’ve described are developmentally appropriate, I know it’s hard but please know you’re not doing anything wrong. Keep on loving on your son, affirming that you’re a great mom with a great son. At this age the toddler tantrums sure do ramp up and one thing that’s helped me is framing it as how can I better teach him from this moment of explosive emotion. He’s not being naughty on purpose however if there are traits that you feel you want looked into, look into doing that but let it be from a place where you’re deciding and not because of (not the best) friends looking at you with pity

I wouldn't worry, he sounds fearless! If your friends see you struggling and don't ask if you need help or try and communicate with him themselves, it says alot more about them as friends really. I've felt utterly embarrassed and exhausted after playgroups before because I've had to stop him doing things, he was going through a throwing stage 2 months ago, that was fun. Don't let it get to you!

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