Helpless, overwhelmed & frustrated by my toddler

amother

Tue, Aug 21 2012, 9:55 pm

I just dont know what to do anymore. My almost-three year old just does not listen to me. Everything's no. He does only what he wants.
He wasnt always like this, its a new thing. He still has times like when he is an 'angel', behaves so nicely, but he gets this 'bug' into his head and he's just impossible. And lately this bug is there more and more. Like almost everything I say, he just does what he wants.
He's been going to sleep rediculously late, he always was a poor eater, but now its just terrible. I'm feeling so inadequate, it makes me so upset to see him behaving like this - both bec of him, I feel like he could get sick ch'v from lack of sleep/eating etc. and I feel so helpless when he just doesnt listen to me.
I feel like I need the tools to know what to do, how to speak so that my word means something. I really dont want to go the screaming/smacking route. I always said I will not do that, many times I feel like that is the only thing that will work, but I usualy dont yell, I really dont want my home to be a nervous one. I just dont know what to do, it literally makes me want to cry. I feel so weak, my word means nothing and that makes me feel so inferior, from my own little toddler! I dont want to argue with him bec. I dont want to show him the way I feel, I dont let it on that feel so inadequate, I dont discuss it - you dont want? Ok, dont eat. But inside, I'm breaking.
I dont know what to do. I know it might be a phase and just pass soon, but its going for a while already, I'm afraid this is the way our relationship is turning into and I dont want him to view his mother - and father - as these weak figures that you can twiddle on your finger...