2 year old tantrums

If all else fails, you might want to try this out instead :) While I agree it's probably just the terrible two stage, but it's equally important how you choose to react and respond! First of all, get down to their level. Meaning, squat down so that you have eye contact with your child at the same eye level of his - this helps them to understand that you are willing to pay attention to them and your focus is all on them. If it helps, get them to calm down or carry them before moving on so they would be listening to you too! Then, acknowledge his feelings. If your child can talk/express himself, that's great because you can immediately understand why he's acting that way and acknowledge it. If not, just talk to him in a way that is not scolding him - but helping to acknowledge what he's feeling. Something like "Are you feeling upset because ____? It's okay, there's no need to cry - Mummy/Daddy understands! ..." Then you explain yourself from there, "... but you cannot be throwing tantrums like that just because of ___." Explain why he isn't allowed to do whatever it is, and the most important step is to provide an ALTERNATIVE - it's the thing that most parents don't do, which causes more problems because you don't let them do what they want and they get frustrated, and they can't distract themselves of that thought/want = your toddler isn't gonna listen since all you're saying is just "no, you cannot do this. no, you cannot do that." What most people don't realise is that, kids are born without fear or knowing what "pain/danger" is! Let's say he wants to get a toy, but you don't have enough money/he has a ton of them at home already. He's throwing a tantrum so you try to calm him down (I usually carry my LO in my arms and say things like "Mummy needs you to calm down so Mummy can talk to you. Mummy can't understand you if you're screaming and crying.") before explaining yourself. Just go straight to it, there's no reason to hide - "Are you crying because you want to get the toy?" (leave some time to see his reaction) "Mummy knows you're upset but we already have a lot of cars at home and I'm sorry Mummy doesn't have enough money so we can't get that today." (provide an alternative or at least an expectation that you can actually fulfill) "Can we get (this other toy instead) or go to (another place to play that's free)?" or "Mummy promise to get it for you next week when Mummy have money okay?" And of course, whatever you promise, make it happen! It may sound like a lot, but this happens really quickly and our kids understand a lot more than we think!