Simultaneous love and aggression towards new sibling

[Rents]

Hello,

My 2yr 7month DD is exhibiting some slightly peculiar behaviour towards her new DB (6 weeks).

She loves her DB and has never show any hostility towards him apart from this odd quirk, which is hard to describe.

After making a direct statment or show or affection towards her DB she will, immediately after or sometimes at the same time, clap her hands or stamp her feet really aggressively. It’s really hard to describe but it feel / looks like she’s got mixed emotions; a caring gesture then a hand clap or foot stamp like she wants to hit or stamp on him!!

I’m not sure if she’s even aware that she’s doing it or has aware of any anger towards him.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this before?

She is generally a very happy and caring person but does have some controlling tendencies (but don’t all toddlers!)

Hi Rents - this is part answer, part bump for you.

I don't remember either of my DCs doing this exactly but it does sound a bit like what DS2 used to do (and other toddlers I've seen) when they're angry and frustrated but don't quite know what to do about it, so they have a bit of a stamp.

You're quite possibly right - chances are she does have mixed emotions. From a sibling's point of view, new babies are an absolute joy, but at the same time a colossal pain in the bottom. I think my take on this with DS1 was to just cut him loads of slack. As long as he wasn't actually hurting his DB, I made allowances for the fact he found him frustrating at times. Happy to go into that further but didn't want to splurge forth unrequested advice!