26Month Old Throwing Things During Tantrums

This can be very normal. I would make sure she is getting enough rest and nap/sleep time. My kids usually overreacted more when they were tired. (Me too)

Time outs are great - and are showing her that she is resonsible for her behavior.

If it gets worse - or if your gut tells you it's a deeper issue - I would see a specialist. Mom's usually have great instincts - so you decide.

I would also give her words to use - "I'm sure you are mad" "this can be hard..."
or even - "let's slow down and do this together"

Some of her frustration may be that she actually thinks she is as capable as you are. And when she is unable to "put the crayons away" she is reminded she is "little".

Sometimes I would encourage my girls - by reminding them how funny they looked when I first gave them a spoon and fork (or even how they looked when they just started eating "real" food). I would remind them that now they can eat without spilling too much - and also almost always hit their mouth on the first try. Show her how she is already learning and developing.

Try to lighted her mood - and get to the root of her frustration - and talk her through it....

As for public places - don't worry about what other people think - focus on your daughter and do what you need to do. Pick her up and carry her away to a better place if you need to. Do the time-out somewhere semi-private. If you are looking at the other people and trying to deal with her - you'll lose everytime. Once I sat on the floor in a store - with my daughter on my lap - until she stopped screaming. No one told me to - I just did it. It was my first instinct.

If you are out and stuck for somewhere to go - bring her to the car - and put her in her car seat - and close the door and stay outside the window where she can see you. Of course explain she is having a time out - and you are not leaving her - be firm and as loving as possible.

My daughter and I can laugh now as I remember when she was 4 years old and trying to kick me as I carried her out of a friends house. She's 16 now and a terrific young woman.
Good luck.

When my son starts throwing things during a tantrum, we put the thrown item in time out. We put it on top of the fridge where he can see it. For some reason the time out of the thrown item has more of an impact than putting him in time out. We tell him that the item is in time out and that we do not throw. I do not know if that helps you, but a friend told me about it and its made a huge difference.

I also do the same thing when we are out of the house, we take away the thrown item. Also if he has a temper tantrum outside of the house, I have put him in time out at wherever we've been. Someone told me take him out of where we are for the time out. Just say excuse me and take her out and return after the time out.

Hope that makes sense and helps! Good Luck.

I went through that stage with both my girls, and now with the 2 year olds I have in my care (3 of them!)
I have literally walked out of a grocery store leaving behind a full grocery cart and an apology to whomever happens to be closest!
If it's a toy that is causing the frustration I will sit down with the child and try to explain and demonstrate how the toy works (puzzles, shape toys, blocks, etc..can be very frustrating to little uncoordinated hands). If that doesn't work I simply say that the toy needs a break, put it away, and to quell a second tantrum we quickly get out a toy or do an activity I know the child can be successful at. Success is key! Make a big deal out of the things she can do well.
Also, by putting her in time out when the tantrum is the result of her frustration as she may see this as punishment for not being able to play successfully with the toy or for not being able to complete a task (putting crayons in the crayon box).
Good Luck!

Nothing to worry about, it's just being 2. Try getting down on her level and talking about what is upsetting her, express to her in her own style that you understand her frustration, alot of times just knowing that someone understands and validates how they feel helps alot.

Here is a book that helped me understand what was going on in my son's head: http://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Toddler-Block-Well-Behaved...

The hitting though and throwing should not be tolerated under any circumstances. They have to learn to respect you. That would be an IMMEDIATE time out in our house.

I have a 26 month old son who sounds identical. Yesterday he had a tantrum for 1 1/2 hours because he didn't get what he wanted. He usually has a tantrum when we don't understand himor when we won't let him do something and if he is tired or hungry is is 10 times worse. We try to put him somewhere to cool off as many times is needed until he finally calms down. With throwing toys(which he also does) we tell him no and then put the toy away and bring it back out when he is sleeping. He also melts down in public(church,mall,other peoples houses,store) and we take him somewhere quiet where he can have his tantrum and then return when he is calm. If he can't calm down then we take him home. Unfortunately, this behavior is completely normal for some kids this age. I have an older daughter who didn't go through this phase so it is a learning experience with my son. We try out best to remain calm(which is sometimes hard) and are trying really hard to be consistent which seems to help. When you have to take her with you make sure she is not hungry and as well rested as can be. That may help a little bit. If it is to much for her maybe a sitter for those church meetings would help her while she is in this phase. I keep telling myself that it is only a phase.