My daughter has just turned 3 and has gone from an OK behaved child to a TOTAL nightmare. The day is now full of her exploding and me trying to avoid the explosions and keep sane.
For example, when i'm parking the car anywhere I get 'Time to get out now'.. again and again which quickly goes from a calm statement to screaming if my parking takes more than 10 seconds. If I do anything but rush round to take her out her car seat then even if I explain it, like 'Mummy needs to pack her handbag' I get the screaming tears. If her slippers get left downstairs and I'm getting her ready for bed she cries and cries even though I tell her she will be in bed in 2 minutes and can't wear slippers in bed. If the book she was looking at in the car falls on the floor whilst I'm driving then screaming. Basically if anything isn't done the second she wants it, or if she hasn't got what she wants/or feels she needs or I try and change the routine then she explodes sobbing. She has also become ultra sensitive, cries if her little sister cries and if there is another child crying anywhere we go then she is 'why are they crying, why why why'. After so many daily upsets I've started to realise that I'm adapting my behaviour to try and stop her exploding and that I'm just living the day waiting for the next outburst which isn't nice.
Has anyone ever experienced this? She is also not really playing with other children. She is very interested in what the other girls are doing at Nursery and comes home and talks about friends names, but nursery staff tell me she is an observer and does not play with the others. She will play alongside but not with. The same goes about her little sister (18 months). She'll go get her objects and will put pegs in a board alongside her if Mum is doing it too - but won't be left to play with her or take any lead in playing. She also has to be asked to hug/kiss her ... never initiates any physical contact. She talks to her though.. tells her things. She does initiate physical contact with Mum/Dad.
Many thanks