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Is it normal for an 18mo to just cry all the time

10 replies

SharpMolarBear · 29/10/2008 18:25

DS has been crying since we got back from work, about 5pm, with breaks for qwhen he was fed or intendely entertained (i.e. story sat on my knee). Did the same last night and does it quite often. At the end of my tether right at the moment. is this normal?

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3littlefrogs · 29/10/2008 18:29

Not normal all the time - no. Is he poorly? Overtired? Over thirsty/hungry? Teething?

What does he do while you are working? Is he happy? Does he get enough food/drink/sleep/attention?

Unfortunately the possibilities are endless, and he can't tell you.

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SharpMolarBear · 29/10/2008 18:32

Sorry Dh back now so no longer alone with velcro child#]
Not poorly I don't thik, very happy when being entertained. Doesn't get enough food but was offered.
Is at nursery during the day and seems to enjoy it, not overly tired at end of day but happy
Thanks

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3littlefrogs · 29/10/2008 18:35

Maybe he just missed you? They do need loads of cuddles at that age.

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SharpMolarBear · 29/10/2008 18:36

True
I feel alternately heartless and so frustrated
Can't put him down for a sec to use 2 hads to put something away

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SharpMolarBear · 29/10/2008 19:37

well it would seem he was exhausted

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SharpMolarBear · 29/10/2008 19:37

well it would seem he was exhausted

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3littlefrogs · 29/10/2008 22:06

I think exhaustion is very common in small children. It is all to easy for adults to forget just how exhausting a normal day is for a one year old.

Also - if they have been away from mummy all day, there is no way they are going to let go of her once they have her back!

Six o'clock bed time should be the norm for under 3s. You can do everything you need to do once they are settled.

Hope you are feeling better now.

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jamsandwich · 29/10/2008 23:22

used to have a similar thing with mine when we got back from work/ nursery.
As soon as I put her down, coming in through the door (so I could at least pick up the post and get to the loo) she'd howl and rampage. Looking back, I'm sure it was tiredness - both of us tetchy. Nursery is very stimulating for kids and they are relieved to be picked up but definitely very needy for mummy-lovin'.
I'm afraid that my solution was half an hour of teletubbies/ night garden so I could do what I needed to do, then she'd be in a much better frame of mind so I could sort her out too.

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Lazycow · 29/10/2008 23:34

Ds did this every night when I got home from work from the age of 11 months to 2.5 years old.

it was tiredness combined with wanting to spend time with me. You have my sympathy as it was a pretty awful at the time. As he got older and could stay up later it improved. However he still needs me to play with him almost as soon as we get in the door after a work day. Even picking up the post, taking my shoes off is too much for him to wait for and will set off bad behaviour, crying etc.

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SharpMolarBear · 30/10/2008 13:24

Hi everyone just noticed these replies, thanks
We've decided that bedtime needs to be 7pm (if he'll go) and so bedtime routine (such as it is) needs to start at 6.30. Last night he was in bed at 7, I usually worry that he'll wake up at 9ish, having had a 'nap' but in fact last night was no worse than before. I suppose a couple of days ago that was 8pm for him.
So...hopefully that will help. He has tea at nursery so we'll just feed him porrige or weetabix and send him to bed, whereas before we were eating with him.
Poor little guy
Thanks everyone