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34 weeks pregnant with a 3.5 year old!! Advice please!!

2 replies

BeccaBrkr7 · 09/07/2014 13:15

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and have a 3.5yold dd!!
Having major problems with her behaviour! She's always been very difficult but now she's starting going crazy at me and even attacked my face and drawn blood! I'm in tears basically every day because I can't cope with her! I try taking things away and putting her in her room and it works for about an hour before the next episode!
She's constantly wetting herself and has about 5 accidents a day! Not even slightly dry at night!! Really struggling and don't have any support from family!!

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JennyBlueWren · 09/07/2014 13:55

Poor you! I've not experienced this personally but as a nursery teacher I have seen children's behaviour change when their mum is very pregnant/has baby usually due to their fear of being replaced. A few suggestions (although you might've already tried them):

Sticker chart -earning up to a reward that she'll appreciate. Don't focus on the negative with this or remove stickers but have it so she can constantly build up the postitives. Have 3 targets for which she can earn stickers e.g. being kind (which means not attacking you), following instructions, staying dry and asking for the toilet. Break the day up into chunks (small 30mins/1 hour to start with so it's easy for her to get the stickers and feel she's achieving) and set a target with small reward e.g. 5 stickers and she can play on the computer. Even if it takes 2 days and she has been appalling the rest of the time -if she finally earns the 5 stickers give her the reward and make a big fuss about it and how she could earn it really quickly next time if she does xyz.

Read stories about new babies or mums having babies and talk to her about this and how important she'll be as a big sister e.g. she's not being replaced by a baby! She might have questions/fears she'd like to talk about. Maybe encourage her to do pictures for/about the baby.

Also do things she enjoys and talk about how you'll still be able to do these things so she doesn't think it's all about the baby.

Be consistent in your approach. Don't give in and stay strong!

Good luck.