[mom2justynsarah]

Ok, so my darling sweet baby girl just turned 17 months old. All of a sudden she is whiny, clingy and EXTREMELY jealous of my son. She will actually scream at the top of her lungs and try to kick him if he is next to me.

She is very whiny & moody. One minute she is happy and smiling. In the next breath she is crying or pushing everyone away.

She wants her breakfast, she doesn't want her breakfast. She wants a toy, I go get it for her, she throws it on the floor.

In addition, she ONLY wants me. Yet, she won't sit in my lap. She wants me to pick her up....CONSTANTLY! If I try to put her down, she will collapse on the floor. She is only at peace when she is in my arms while walking around.

I klow their has been a recent disruption in her schedule. So I know her behavior is probably exagerated because of it

I no longer work the day shift. I work the night shift. My husband takes care of the kids while I am working. So I only see the kids for an hour in the mornings. When I come home, both kids are sleeping. The only time I really get a chance to see them is on my days off.

I feel very bad about this. But working the night shift at this point is something that I must endure for the next 10 months (unless of course both my kids and husband go insane in the process)

How do I handle her fears & anxiety? I honestly don't recall my son going through this as much as she is.

Thanks,
Julie

[DebCsMom]

Toddler girls are like that. They are VERY whiney! LOL Plus when you add in that you don't see her very much because of your schedule. Also, every child is different. Some are more independent than others while others need more attention. We have 5 children & 5 totally different personalities & needs. EXCEPT...the girls are whinier than our boys! LOL

Seems like normal behavior to me. Just have to try to give her more attention at this stage of her life. Sorry i wasn't much help.

Deb

[ourdreamcametru]

Three kids here and three very different personalities. The oldest, a boy is very much the hot tempered one, not just now as a teenager but always. He is a very good boy but we are very much alike so we butt heads often. The middle child, also a boy is very loving but wears his emotions on his sleeve. He will cry at the drop of a hat and does not like it when someone says anything less than positive about him. Our youngest, a girl almost two, is at the moment very clingy. I think this is an age thing but above all she is independent and wants no help doing anything. She has done everything to this point on her time and has no desire to do anything you want her to do. All I can say is hang in there, this too will pass!

[Linny]

That disruption in the schedule, sometimes affects children more than we think. You might try taping your voice--reading a story, singing a song, etc, so that dh can play it at night. And...make sure that you DO hold her, play with her as she needs, and talking to her about how you are working at night and think about her at work, etc.
Each kid is different and is affected differently; but I'd take this stuff seriously enough to warrant more holding and security from you.
I realize you must work this shift and I'm sure you'll all get through this.....but it would seem that she's needing a little more help with the adjustment.

Sincerely,

Linny

[definitelyjulia]

Uh... maybe call Supernanny? She seems to be able to fix things in a hour or less. LOL

[mommieof2cuties]

sounds like it is normal...she is unhappy with change. Also teething and all could add to everything. My son has been so clingy and only wanting me these days
Hugs

[StacyM]

My daughter is 16 months and you almost described her to a T. Toddlerhood is difficult...they are learning to do things on their own and are enjoying their new found freedom, but also still want mom. They also have no control over their emotions, so it can be challenging to deal with them. I don't have other children, but do have a dog that is like a child and my daughter behaves the same way with her that yours does with your son.

While she can be very whiney at times and get upset and throw tantrums, she can also be so loving and funny. I just do my best to help her learn how to deal with things.

It's hard sometimes and really just a matter of patience. Hang in there! I'm sure it will get easier. And your schedule change is likely a tough adjustment for her too.

Good Luck!

[StorkWatcher]

Julie - bless your heart. Sounds like the "terrible twos" have arrived a little early.

The post on Supernanny made me laugh, but yet I have her book and believe ithas some good pointers on how to help kids that age recognize, name and deal with their emotions (unless I'm thinking of a different book). I'll try to check it at home.

Good luck! Maybe she'll get used to the new schedule in another week or two.