What do I do about my 3 year old flopping on ground?

Question

My three year old daughter flops herself on the ground or floor and refuses to get up when I am trying to get her to go where I need her to go. It is driving me crazy. I am 7 months pregnant and cannot pick her up or wrestle with her. My instinct is to just drag her so she gets the idea that not moving won't work but I am afraid of how other people would react to that. Any advice?

Answer 1

Provided she is somewhere safe, just walk away. If you are at home and she won't leave the house. Walk out the door and close it. Wait about 60 seconds and then ask her if she is coming.

Your other option if you are out doing errands, particularly on a timeline, tell her she has to stay in a stroller/cart.

Answer 2

I think most of the answers are good--- But you really do have a problem if you're on the street or in a store when she does this. You could just walk a short distance away, telling her "Good-by--- I'm leaving now" and see if she will get up and follow. Otherwise you are pretty much left with the only option being a stroller or cart. As soon as she throws her little fit, strap her in. Remind her that only big girls who walk and want to help Mom get to walk.
Three is still pretty young to reason with, altho they're starting to get it once in a while. But don't guilt-trip her that she's hurting the baby, etc. After all, she really IS still not much more than a baby herself.
Try to reward her in some small way when she has been good during your trips out-- and tell her about it beforehand so during the trip you can remind her that she can earn such and such (a favorite food, a story read, whatever works) only by helping you and walking nicely. If she acts up, remind her she will not receive the reward. For most kids, three is still young for a time out unless it can be immediate. An hour later, when you return home, she will not really remember her behavior well enough to make it effective.
At home, I always let my kids rage if they wanted too--- but in a separate room with the door closed so they got no audience and no one else had to be bothered. NEVER give in to a tantrum! (but DO try to realize why she is acting that way--- hungry? tired? insecure? bored? ...and prevent the situation)

Answer 3

I am nine months pregnant and i have the same problem...it seems that my little queen is a bit jealous of the new baby already, when she does this i just pick her up by her arm and put her on the couch and then put her coat on, make her stand and take her by her hand and make her walk out the door.....or if i'm not in a rush i just let her there and tell her i'm leaving with out her and that she won't be getting anything from the store and she will not be recieving snack tonight...it usually works.... Good luck, i feel bad for you i know exactly what you are going through..

Answer 4

I remember small rewards for my neices and nephews. If i was at home and they started the flopping i would sometimes just lay right beside of them and scream and kick just as loud as they was...Trust me got a couple of weird looks from them and some of our house guests at the time but it got their attention away from their flopping and then i'd start to tickle them or something or get up and do what i org. started to do. I've also been known to say "you know you've been really good and only threw a fit once today or none today let's do this one more thing and i've got a surprise for you" It could be anything from a sticker, a toy, to mcd's. Also when they're not gettin their "naps" at a set time might be part of the crying and flopping too. I also like the idea of having a stroller handy if she does do that or as bad as it sounds one of those kiddy leashes (don't know what else to call them sorry) that way if you're out in town and she starts that you can take her to the restroom and let her cont. her lil fit just ignore her or you can take her to the side where she's not goin to get stepped on.

Answer 5

Been there. My son who fall out on the floor. I would purposely try to leave earlier or get him ready to go earlier. When he fell out, I would walk around him and tell him that I expect him to be ready when I got ready to go. I know it is frustrating, if she gets in a position where you can talk to her and ask her what the problem is and why she is doing it. I sure its the impending birth that she is responding to and she wants attention.

PS if she acts this way in public, just pick her up or drag her if you need to. Anyone that has or had a 3 year old will know exactly what you are going through. Best of Luck to You!

Answer 6

Walk away and ignore the behavior. The only reason for a temper tantrum, is because it works to get your attention. If you react and give in to whatever she's throwing a fit about, it will only continue and get worse. She has to learn that by throwing herself on the floor she will get less attention from you, and even time out or some other punishment, she will eventually stop.

If you walk away for a minute or two and she continues, I would (try) to get down on her level and tell her in a calm voice what is expected of her, and what her consequence will be.. such as, "You will get up and come with me, or you will have to stay in your room for 10 minutes" Giving kids choices makes them feel powerful and usually stops them and make them think about their options.

Once you've given them a choice to make, ask if they want some help with their decision. Kids like to pick, and giving her options to pick from may snap her out of it.

Good luck

Answer 7

Well at that age kids want attention it doens't matter whether is positive of negative. I would say, try to let her be a couple of times, and once she realizes that you are not paying attention to her bad behavior she will get bored and stop doing it. If that doesn't work, try telling her that you will leave her, even though is not true just so that she gets up.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Your first answer was the pro answer. Ignore this behavior. Make bedtime earlier to keep her from getting too wound up and eliminate sugar drinks so she eats more of the right foods. This will make her better natured. It is a normal stage and it will end if you play your cards right! Kids learn how to control the world around them by seeing what works.

Answer 9

Turn around and walk away. Get out of sight, but where you can still see her. Eventually she will see the tantrum will not work, and also realize you may not be coming back. My four year old learned very quickly that tantrum do not work for Daddy. You have to be consistent though. Eventually it will work, and she won't do it anymore.

Answer 10

I had a five year old son who did this every time a man would visit. It worked, for the five-year-old. Try ignoring her for awhile. If she persists, put her in time out every time she flops. She's taking advantage of your temporary incapacity. Kids are programmed before they get here on how to bush our buttons.