From toddler to preschooler
7-week-old baby and now an unmanageable toddler at home
MeikeGuest ·
Hi everyone,
We’ve been proud parents of a little boy for 7 weeks now.
We already have a lovely 4-year-old daughter who is constantly around her brother, cuddling him every day and saying how happy she is with him.
It’s been really hectic for her in a short time; she started primary school, got a new brother, and has a new babysitter.
Plus, she spent the whole summer with mom, who was on leave at home.
The start at school, with the babysitter, and as a family went super well. She handled everything well and was very happy and cheerful until about 2 weeks ago. Our daughter has become truly unmanageable. It sounds incredibly mean, but that’s exactly how it is. She can’t have a normal conversation anymore; she screams and shrieks all day long. It really drives you crazy.
She kicks and hits us, is full of frustration, and becomes extremely fragile when we talk to her. She’s incredibly sensitive.
She’s been urinating extremely often for the past few days. The urine was tested 3 times, and everything came back normal. We think it’s all due to stress.
She used to be an easy sleeper, with a fixed bedtime routine, and she’d just fall asleep like that. Now, she’s often extremely upset, can’t be calmed down, doesn’t want to be alone, and keeps shouting that she doesn’t want to sleep alone.
I kept her home from school for a week, but it’s barely manageable. We try to include her in everything and do activities with her alone when she’s asleep, but then we end up mostly arguing with each other.
We’re trying everything: ignoring her, being understanding, punishing, etc., etc. But it’s not getting any better.
Does this sound familiar? Is it a phase where she’s looking for her role in our new family dynamic?
Is it stress from all the events?
And the most important thing: help! How can we deal with this, help her, or whatever?
She mainly takes it out on us (dad and mom). Luckily, she never does this with her brother. Even when she’s home alone, she acts this wild.
We’re really exhausted. She’s so present all the time, screaming, always making noise, you name it. Where did our sweet little girl go? We want her back and would love to see her comfortable in her own skin again.
We’ve been proud parents of a little boy for 7 weeks now.
We already have a lovely 4-year-old daughter who is constantly around her brother, cuddling him every day and saying how happy she is with him.
It’s been really hectic for her in a short time; she started primary school, got a new brother, and has a new babysitter.
Plus, she spent the whole summer with mom, who was on leave at home.
The start at school, with the babysitter, and as a family went super well. She handled everything well and was very happy and cheerful until about 2 weeks ago. Our daughter has become truly unmanageable. It sounds incredibly mean, but that’s exactly how it is. She can’t have a normal conversation anymore; she screams and shrieks all day long. It really drives you crazy.
She kicks and hits us, is full of frustration, and becomes extremely fragile when we talk to her. She’s incredibly sensitive.
She’s been urinating extremely often for the past few days. The urine was tested 3 times, and everything came back normal. We think it’s all due to stress.
She used to be an easy sleeper, with a fixed bedtime routine, and she’d just fall asleep like that. Now, she’s often extremely upset, can’t be calmed down, doesn’t want to be alone, and keeps shouting that she doesn’t want to sleep alone.
I kept her home from school for a week, but it’s barely manageable. We try to include her in everything and do activities with her alone when she’s asleep, but then we end up mostly arguing with each other.
We’re trying everything: ignoring her, being understanding, punishing, etc., etc. But it’s not getting any better.
Does this sound familiar? Is it a phase where she’s looking for her role in our new family dynamic?
Is it stress from all the events?
And the most important thing: help! How can we deal with this, help her, or whatever?
She mainly takes it out on us (dad and mom). Luckily, she never does this with her brother. Even when she’s home alone, she acts this wild.
We’re really exhausted. She’s so present all the time, screaming, always making noise, you name it. Where did our sweet little girl go? We want her back and would love to see her comfortable in her own skin again.
Replies
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Jo Guest #2
So relatable. Give it a month or two and it'll get better.
I didn't recognize my son either. He's luckily back to being himself again. -
starz #3
Dear Meike,
This sounds so heavy, especially since you're supposed to be over the moon after the birth of your little boy.
Unfortunately, I don't have any tips. But I hope your daughter feels better soon. I can totally understand that this is her reaction to all the changes and that this is how she expresses herself.
Love, Starz -
Anonymous Guest #4
Make sure you have as much one-on-one time with your daughter as possible. Let her help with the care as much as she can. If necessary, buy a doll where she plays the mom.
Be patient, it's and was just too much.
Put yourself in her shoes.
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