To want to scream

[sidesplittinglol]

My DD who is 3 years old is throwing a MASSIVE tantrum and crying fit over nothing. Literally nothing. Every single day is like this especially after nursery.

I don't know why she is like this. Nothing works. I've tried the books and advice people have given but to no avail.

She's tired and decompressing after a busy day. Make sure she is safe but ignore the tantrum. Tell her in a normal voice that you will love to play with her when she calms down. She needs to learn self-control.

She is probably overtired. If she’s 3 and it’s 8pm and she’s been at nursery all day then she’s probably burnt out by now and needs to sleep. Now that I’m on mat leave again and I’ve taken DS2 who is 2.5 out of nursery he is a different person. Up till recently he was doing 5 full nursery days and was a nightmare every afternoon after pick up. Since the clocks went back he’s been going to bed around 6/6.30pm and what a difference!!!

She is overtired. Make sure she gets plenty of time to relax with no pressure or expectations.

Hi sorry for the late reply. Nothing's changed she's still throwing massive tantrums over nothing. She will seep but after an hour she will wake up tantruming.

I can't cope with it anymore. And it's not just nursery days. It's all the time

If you’re satisfied that she’s not hungry/thirsty/too hot/too cold/sick/in pain/uncomfortable etc and you’re certain that there is nothing physically disturbing her sleep then maybe she just doesn’t want to be alone. She’s only 3 and maybe just wants mummy. Have you tried just co-seeping? I know some see it as ‘making a rod for your own back’ but in the end they are only little for a very short amount of time and she’s still just a baby really. My 4yo still needs us to lie with him till he’s sound asleep and then he still wanders into our bed most nights at some point.

I'm currently co sleeping with my 7 month old who is still breastfeeding in the night, so it's not really possible. However, when she wakes up for these tantrums it's usually before 9pm and I'm not ready to go to bed yet as I get the house ready for the next day ie tidying and sterilising etc.

She gets unsettled in the night, I think she has bad dreams.

In terms of eating, she doesn't eat so much and is picky. She prefers to live off biscuits and cakes but of course it's not a great diet for her so I don't allow her to. Only on occasions.

She seems to be tired a lot and you can see it her eyes. It could be dehydration as well so I get her to drink as much fluids as I can. Napping doesn't make a difference to her behaviour other than going to bed late.

I'm currently co sleeping with my 7 month old

Have you had a conversation with her about the baby? She may feel pushed out?

Do you think she might be having night terrors? Typically they occur earlyish after they’ve gone to bed (so 9pm sounds about right). When she wakes up are you able to settle her is does she just scream and nothing calms her? If so it could be night terrors. Different to nightmares as they don’t remember them the next day. Also frightening for parents to see but totally harmless. www.nhs.uk/conditions/night-terrors/
Worth a read? X