Can't set things down!

[ewoods]

I don't know how else to explain the behavior that my two-year-old is exhibiting. He just won't set things down on his own. For example, this morning his water cup was sitting on the coffee table. He walked over, picked it up, took a drink, and then instead of setting it back down, he walked over and tried to hand it to me. I pointed to the spot on the coffee table where he got it and tried my best to communicate that he should just set it back down. But he continued to insist that I take it from him and when I continued to refuse, he burst into tears, chucked the cup across the room (for which he got a time-out), and threw himself onto the ground.

This happens ALL THE TIME! He'll pick something up, use it for a while, and then try to hand it to me. Toys, food, cups, shoes, it doesn't matter what it is. He won't set it down on his own, he'll ALWAYS try to hand it to me. And it's not like he's trying to get me to interact with whatever he's handing me. If I take it, he'll say "thank you" and walk away. If I don't, he'll throw a tantrum, often throwing whatever the object is as well. What do I do?! I don't really even care if he puts it back where it belongs or if he puts it down where he found it. At this point, he could set his cup on the floor and walk away for all I care. I just don't understand his need to hand everything to me.

[hardworkinmama]

Keep doing what you are doing. When he tries to hand you something, keep telling or showing him where to put it. If he throws a tantrum, just walk away and ignore him (as long as he is in a safe place) until he is done. Then when he is done throwing his tantrum, make him pick up the object that he has thrown and put it where it needs to go. If you stick to your guns, he will eventually get it and do as he is supposed to. The key, as with anything toddler related, is consistency. You are doing a good job, just keep at it. Good luck and I hope this helps.