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I just decided to drop out of law school to be a stay-at-home mom to my 1yo daughter. She was in day care with about 6 or 7 other kids, and she was always fine there. Now she's home with me and it's like she became the devil child. She is constantly screaming, begging to be held, needing attention from me around the clock. At first I thought it was teething, so I treated with tylenol.. that made no difference, so I stopped. Literally, she spends 70% of every day just screaming. I am trying not to spoil her, so I won't pick her up... I'll stand next to her and hug her, but I won't pick her up. Of course, that only makes her more angry, but I don't want to make the situation worse in the long-term.
Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone have suggestions about how to handle this? It's been going on for about 3 weeks now.
2007-01-31 13:55:29 · 5 answers · asked by Karen H 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
1. It could be she is just adjusting to having you around all the time. My daughter really missed her old day care provider once I moved her to preschool - it has taken a while for her to adjust to the change. You have totally altered your daughter's lifestyle, so it may take time.
2. When she needs you, I would pick her up. Give her great big hugs and kisses and then sit down on the floor with her. Give her a toy and then try to move away. Also, give her the big hugs and kisses even when she does not ask for them. She may just be going through the normal - "separation anxiety" phase. Just remember, she does not understand why you won't pick her up some times, but at other times you do. She is only a year, still quite young.
3. Make sure you have a routine set up and lots of busy activities for her. When I am home with my daughter and we just "hang out" we end up getting on each others nerves. Try having some other kids around, your daughter is used to being around other kids.
2007-01-31 14:14:34 · answer #1 · answered by Wattleseed 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't spoil her. Pick her up. Smile at her, laugh with her. It will make you and her both feel better. One year olds are notoriously clingy. I could hardly stand it with my son, now 19 months. I just felt like I couldn't get anything done and he just wanted to be held all the time. Part of that is because your daughter is realizing that she's a separate person from you more and more every day and it's scary for her. She doesn't like to be far from you because she's unsure of the great big world. Maybe to minimize the screaming, distract her with a fun doll or toy or book. Have planned activities and meal times each day. They will give her some of that stability that she craves. That way, she's not screaming at you or under your feet all the time, but she can sit next to you or even on your lap while you play and read. You're not going to spoil her. She'll grow out of this phase (just like all those others) and she'll be more confident in your presence in her life and she'll trust you if you can bear through the clingy part. Sorry this rambled, but good, good luck.
2007-01-31 22:27:03 · answer #2 · answered by Barbara B 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i would agree w/ jaysgurl...distract her, play w/ her for a while, put up a play area where you're trying to work (cupboard in the kitchen w/ toys, drawer in the office, etc.) so she can be near you. stop once in a while and play "hide & seek". hold her for a few min and read a book. maybe at least 5 - 10 minutes solid, undivided attendtion per hour. plan one activity/day around her (park, zoo, etc) and know that it will end w/ a good long nap when you get home. it's a hard job, being a stay at home mom, but good choice!! i'm proud of you! :)
2007-02-01 00:58:34 · answer #3 · answered by aggielax 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My one year old daughter does this every now and then. When she starts screaming, get down on the floor and play with some toys with her or start singing loud and clapping your hands, get silly with her she wont judge you. Maybe tickle her and then chase her around yelling "im gonna get you!" I think you really just need to direct her attention to something other than wanting to be carried around, otherwise you may end up with her glued to your hip. Best of luck!
2007-01-31 22:25:01 · answer #4 · answered by jaysgurl28 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
temper tantrums. the terrible two's does not begin at age 2, it ussually begins around 15 16 mos.
its okay to carry her more often. maybe she just wants to feel loved.
2007-01-31 22:12:19 · answer #5 · answered by Miki 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋