To worry about my moody four year old?

[MissyCooper]

She’s just turned four. Usually a happy, upbeat wee soul (although she’s a deep thinker and a bit of a worrier at times).

Last month or so, she just hasn’t seemed herself. Nothing really massive, just a bit out of character. Quick to tantrum. Grumpy. Tired. Sullen. Creates huge dramas out of nothing e.g. her toddler sister picking up a toy of hers that she isn’t even playing with. Her sleep has been all over the place as well.

Today I went to take her hand to walk into nursery and she practically snarled “don’t take my hand” at me. She’s usually a really affectionate wee thing.

I’m a bit worried about her. I was wondering if phases like this are normal. I’ve tried having little chats with her at bedtime to see if something is making her cross or angry but not getting anywhere.

Bump?

I'm sorry I can't help much op, but sending hugs
Could you have a chat with her teacher to see if she's maybe having trouble with any of the other children?
Or maybe get her a doctors appointment for a check-up? I know physical problems with kids like ear, eyesight, tummy problems etc can manifest on their behaviour before showing physically sometimes.

Hope you get to the bottom of it xxx

Don't worry too much yet. My lovely smiley cuddly PFB toddler completely freaked me out by suddenly turning into a teenage-type strop monster at age 4.

When I took him to the Dr for something or other I asked her and she told me it's pretty common. She said there can be a hormonal surge around that age.

DS is 11 now and lovely again :)

DS is 11 now and lovely again

For now

We had that when ours was 3-4. Seemed to pass after a few months.

Thank you.

She has been off nursery over Christmas but seemed happy to go back in today. I don’t think there is an issue there but definitely worth speaking to her key worker.

I’m going to spend a bit of one on one time with her this weekend. Things have been frantic over Christmas. Maybe I haven’t been as attentive as usual.

I’m hoping it’s a normal phase and I am encouraged by the responses. I am planning on taking her to the doctor next week anyway for a little check up.

Huge huge tantrums this morning 😔

Was she unwell at all over Xmas OP? My DD had a bit of a tummy bug thing before Xmas. It was just a 24hour thing and I thought she was fine again but in the weeks following she was tantrumming like crazy and waking at night (which was very out of character). Then she was sick again and I think she’s actually been unwell since that first episode. Lots of viral things going around where I am. Could she be feeling under the weather but not verbalising it? Just a thought!

She could be unwell. I’m taking her to the doctor on Monday for a check up and she has been complaining of a sore bottom

This is random, but could she have worms? Mine did this - grumpy and moody because was knackered; really wakeful, and then we found the worms. She is really sensitive to poor sleep though. Hope your DD feeling brighter soon.

Gorgeous I didn’t think of something like that. I will investigate.

We had a couple of weeks of this with DS (4), then it stopped almost as suddenly as it started. Noticed after that his speech had suddenly come on leaps (speaker clearer, bigger words/sentances etc..), clearly something went on in that noggin of his.

I don’t mean to sound all “been there done that” but this sounds like a phase. Ride out and it will end as randomly and unpredictably as it began...