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whinging 14month old with temper tantrums - am I expecting too much?

29 replies

Pebs · 06/10/2005 19:21

Our 14 month old DS has always been clingy but has recently started whinging ALL the time at home. He is great for a few mins if distracted with a new game to play but is soon crying which leads to screaming and clinging to trousers etc. DH doesn't find this as much of a problem as he plays with him but ofcourse I have chores that have to be done at the same time and this is when the whinging starts. I spend lots of quality time with DS on his own and he is great but as soon as I turn my back or stand up to start the tea then the whining starts, followed by screaming when I don't sit back down with him. I distract him for a few mins and then even that won't work. I then try to ignore it but he gets worse, usually until I shout or cry myself (neither of which help!). I feel guilty for trying to unpack the shopping, doing the ironing and cooking meals as DS is walking around the house screaming. Can I do anything else to help him to be more content to be by himself for short periods or is distraction and ignoring the right way to go? Am I expecting too much of him? Friends kids are not anywhere near this demanding. This constant whinging is driving me up the wall!!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
moondog · 15/10/2005 10:26

Good God kk. A one year old can't possibly understand the reason for things like this
This isn't teaching rational behaviour-it is teaching circus tricks.

CarofromWton · 15/10/2005 21:33

KK - I agree with a lot of what you say and you have some great ideas. Not sure about the timeout for a 1 year old though - but if it works for you, go for it! My 1st DD (now 7) was a nightmare between 14 months & 2 years - v. affectionate but v. demanding in the way you describe Pebs. She had several tantrums a day and I used to end up in tears at the end of the day at times. However, I NEVER gave in to the tantrums - I used to ignore them as best I could. It took a long time to change but it did - DD1 became an angel when she turned 2 when everyone else's kids started the terrible twos!! HV assured me at the time that if the tantrums start early they always end early and she was right! Hang in there and wait for the good times!!

CarofromWton · 15/10/2005 21:40

Forgot to mention, this isn't always down to parenting - I also believe it's the personality of the child. Despite the problems I had with DD1 at this age, my DD2 is totally different - no tantrums, happy-go-lucky, easy-peasy! Not holding my breath though.

SharonGeorge · 15/10/2005 23:05

Thank you all for relieving my worries that it is me who is totally mad and my 13 month old DS has turned into a monster overnight ! I've been blaming his teeth (he has just had his 10th break the gum) for his whining, reluctance to go to sleep on his own, being off his food etc. Although last night he did have an extremely high temperature so perhaps it is his teeth - who knows! Anyone out there got a magic solution please?!

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