Help with overtired tantrums please

[Wannabestepfordwife]

My dd 3.5 has never been a good sleeper, she stopped napping at about 9/10 months, but I'm really struggling with her tantrums at the minute.

We've just walked home from pre-school and she's had the mother of all tantrums as I pushed the button at the crossing at the crossing instead of her.

We've had 45 minutes of her screaming and hitting me and lashing out. All whilst one of the mums from School were watching and giving me filthy looks.

I stay really calm with her and try to reason with her but if I tried to pick her up to comfort her she went mad and kept hitting me.

It's a reoccuring pattern of her getting tired and lashing out at me, I've had fat lips and scratches all over my face.

She's always been an early riser, she was up at 4.30 this morning and I've tried putting her back to bed so many times but she just goes into overdrive.

She has limited sweets and I always through with disipline and star charts/rewards don't work.

I feel like the shittest mum in the world and I'm looking forward to dd being in bed so I can have a good cry.

Has anyone got any advice please

[theconstantvacuumer]

I will probably be lambasted for suggesting this but if it's a long walk could you push her in a buggy if she's exhausted?

[Seeline]

Just a thought but could she be hungry after pre-school. My DDs behaviour was always much worse when hungry than when tired.
Otherwise, ignore as much as possible, whilst keeping them safe, until tantrum is over. Don't engage at all.

[Wannabestepfordwife]

I've tried but she just screams and throws herself back and tries to get out or try's to tip the pram from being inside.

Thank you for trying though

[Wannabestepfordwife]

The over hungry is something I've never thought of! Thank you for suggesting it- will take some food tomorrow and see if that works

[Vinorosso74]

Yes to trying the food! This helped when I used to collect my DD from nursery.
Also provides a bit of a distraction on the way home so hopefully less chance of a tantrum.