I get frustrated with my 13 month old daughter.?

Question

Sometimes my daughter upsets me, i don't know if her behavior is normal and if i am reacting like a normal stay at home mom. She has so much energy, sometimes i think she is going to hurt herself by running into a wall or something. she tries to pick up huge objects, and climbs on everything. As well, she is never calm enough for a bed time story or to be rocked (like so many parents guides suggest you do before bed). I guess what i read in parenting guides makes being a parent seem so easy, but its not. Am I alone with these feelings?

Answer 1

You're sooo not alone with these feelings. Raising a baby/toddler is the most frustrating thing in the world. Being a mom PERIOD is the most difficult job anyone could have! The part that caught me the most in this question was about reading bed time stories. It's supposed to be so great for children, but they just won't stay still... my son is almost 3 and he still won't stay still for me to read to him. In fact, anytime I try, he just takes the book and rips it apart.

Your daughter's behavior is normal.. and get used to the energy thing... once she hits 2, she'll be off and running in every direction like you wouldn't believe. Everyone parents differently, but the way I've done things is that if my son wants to try to pick up something he can't handle, I let him. He'll learn it's too heavy and put it down. Or if he wants to get out of hand and run into a wall... that's okay too. He'll learn that when he runs into that wall, it hurts and he won't do it again, lol. Where you cross the line is when she's about to do something dangerous... like stick her finger in a light socket.. then you gotta cross the line and teach her no. And trust me, if I've learned anything so far about parenting... teaching a child "no" is like trying to grow a third arm.

Answer 2

It's normal to be frustrated.
It says in the books that it's normal (as long as you don't have violent feelings towards her)
13 month olds are very active they like to climb, it's normal. As for not wanting to sit down for a story or for being rocked some kids aren't ready for that until they're older. I would suggest that you get expert advice for the running into walls part of it though. She might be slightly hyperactive and you'll get advice about how to deal with it. Or they might reassure you and tell you that her energy levels are normal.
Whatever the case, parenting is not easy. I'm sure many mothers will agree with me when I say that every mother has a time when she feels that she would love to be somewhere else rather than looking after her beautiful wonderful children. There are those who will tell you that you are not a good mother if you have these feelings, just ignore them, you are human. But being a parent is a gift and being a good one, a skill and you can have those two things if you look at it in that way.
I also think that if you get a babysitter a few times a week to take her out for a walk or just to watch her at home while you go out, you will feel like a different person. Just because you're a stay at home mom doesn't mean you can't have a break once in a while.
good luck

Answer 3

It sounds as though you have a hyperactive child. There may be something wrong that requires a bit of medical help. So talk to your doctor.

In the mean time, be consistant with punishment and when you do find her sitting still compliment her.

When I say consistant with punishment, you need to punish bad behavior each and every time, and you reward good behavior. Rewards can be really small like a peice of candy or crackers. Make sure your child knows why she is receiving the reward. When she is acting up, tell her that she will receive correction or discipline. We use the word correction, then whether it be spanking, time out what ever make sure you do it. Keep a straight face do not look or act angry and talk in low but firm tones. I told you that there will be no jumping on the couch and running through the house, so there fore you will receive lets say time out. Then you put your child in time out. Do not give her a glance, do not try to reason do not say anything, then when the two minutes are so are up, let her out.

Do the same with spanking, no more than a couple licks with the hands but make sure she knows it is coming. It is not important whether or not you spank what is important here is whether or not you are consistant.

But I really feel like you have a medical issue here so make sure you seek the advice of a doctor.

Answer 4

It sounds like you have a little active girl just like mine was. With nine months she started walking, no running. I tried looking at it with her eyes.
She is able walk her minds is working so its normal for her to see what she can do with her abilities. I made sure we went out everyday for walks and looked with her eyes when she found a rock. I always pointed out all things we saw, cars , trees, people, animals and so on. We went to moms and toddler meets where she could do toddler gym and feel her body more. We as parents have to remeber that in the old days you had many generations living together and there was always somebody around to take the child of your hands for awhile. But knowadays we are alone and are expected to do it all. NO we are just human beings and we have to change our priorities. So what if the house is alitte messy at least my daughter had a wonderful day. Children dont care about a tidy house,they want to explore and learn new things. So instead of getting frustrated say f.. it the dishes can wait until later its time to run around the garden with my child. I found that my daughter did not like the story reading , she rather have me lie with her and talk about the day and what I had planned the next day. I gave her a bottle with water (never anyting with sugar or milk) which helped her fall asleep. She also did not like to be rocked but liked it when I would hold her hand and kiss her fingers. Sometimes when she did not want to go to sleep I would say she does not have to sleep but she does have to rest her body. Thats the reason why the sun goes down at night so we can get enery for the next day. I would then put her in her bed with some toys and would let a story run in the back ground. I found that children are not stupid and are resonable you just have to the words and gestures they can understand.
Now 16 years later I have a well balanced daughter who comes to me with all her worries and fears. I think this all comes from the relationship I built up from babyhood on.
Try getting out of the house more and enjoy this special age because it will never never come back again.
Try finding a baby sitter and do something once a week just for yourself. And you dont have to feel guilty, you also need sometime to regain your energy.
I hope I could help a little and wish you all the best in building a loving caring relationship with your daughter.

Answer 5

NO, you are not alone! Your daughter is just high energy, which may indicate that she has a sense of curiosity, confidence and adventure, all qualities that will likely help her learn skills and information more quickly than many of her peers, unfortunately its not easy being a parent to such a child, try to see the positive in her actions and personality, keep her safe and let her know that quiet time is nice, maybe watch an educational dvd with her or wait until she has run her energy level down and is very tired then move her to a restful activity, eventually she may begin to look forward to the down time. And regardless of what you read parenting is never simple or easy, just guidiing your little one through a happy childhood and towards a responsible adulthood with love and tolerance is the best any of us moms can do...She and You will make it through, no stage lasts forever!!!

Answer 6

Don't get frustrated, and remember every child is different. No books or magazine articles fit every child and every situation. Save the bedtime stories until she gets less fidgety. Don't worry about hyperness. You have to wonder where ALL kids get there energy from. Don't punish her, but let her know when it is bedtime, be consistant with the time, and just do it. Don't go in there when she is fidgetting and/or crying. Let her calm herself down to sleep. Remember, the more consistant you are, the more sleep she'll get, and the more sleep and relaxation you'll get. :O)

Answer 7

toddler Einsteins does not discover ways to Signing time this helped my son immensely he would desire to ask for help the different poster is faulty my son has been signing considering 10 months previous and would desire to tell me while he exchange into indignant unhappy mad earlier he would desire to speak additionally I agree spanking does not provide the main appropriate message for tiredness frustration it says Im getting into problem for those thoughts ok so i could attempt to be conscious hte time of day that's happening additionally consult along with her in a comfortable voice whether she is screaming say what's the priority how can i grant help to experience greater advantageous They understand plenty better than you think of I even have continually talked to my baby like he's an grownup and have seen the outcomes from it

Answer 8

My friend told me laughingly he was the 'demon child' in his family. That he ran around the house, wouldn't sit still, screamed, broke things, stuck forks into outlets, also climbed furniture, etc. But you'd never know it 'cuz now he's a super quiet shy guy, who's very sensitive, careful, kinda fragile. I guess he got it out of his system. I asked him why he did those things and he said "I don't know. No real reason, just felt like I had to."

Some kids are super-hyperactive then they grow out of it with time.

Answer 9

Dont worry, some children are like that, hyper.... but as she grows she will become normal... dont try to stop her or punish her this will make her more stuborn, try to find out ways to make her relax, like saying that she is very good child...by clapping your hands and appraising her when she does something good...she is too small.... that is the reason we mothers are placed next to god....as we are patient, understanding, caring

Answer 10

that's normal, its actually good since she could exercise with respect to playing... children at that age needs much patience.... try to play with your daughter like you are the same age... many parents are bothered that their child is an angel at day and a devil at night coz they always cry....