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Behaviour/development

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Morning tantrums - nearly 2 yr old

1 reply

WildebeestH · 08/08/2012 11:40

Our DS has been getting uncontrollably upset quite often in the morning. It's more likely to be worse on days when I'm working (4 days a week) and DH thinks it's because he doesn't want me to leave which makes me feel really rubbish. He's often fine when he wakes up (although always wants me rather than DH) and the trouble starts once we're downstairs having breakfast. He'll start eating okay and then something really minor (a drop of honey on the table, a hole in his toast, wanting a different spoon) will trigger him to start shouting and crying. We try to stay really calm and if he's asking for something specific (and reasonable) we do respond but it rarely stops it descending into uncontrollable crying, head down on the table. I just don't know what to do for the best. I've started trying a naughty step occasionally when he has done something naughty but this isn't naughtiness it's more getting himself into a state and not being able to regain control. We always explain to him what's happening that day in when we first get up and he responds and seems to understand. Occasionally we have some success by just leaving him in his highchair and going into the kitchen for ten minutes to make tea, although usually by that point I'm having to dash off to work. DH says that he often calms down after I've gone but once a week I do the drop off and on that day it often continues until we get to the childminder's house. I feel like I must be doing something wrong and I really don't what to do different. I know this can be normal toddler behaviour but I also think that there must be things we can do to manage it better and help him get through it. Please help.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
diyqueen · 08/08/2012 16:11

Do you think it might be something to do with a sense of rushing/urgency that's unsettling him? Just a thought as, although I'm lucky to not have to go to work, every time we need to go out somewhere on time in the morning dd picks up on it and is a nightmare to feed/get dressed. Not sure what the solution would be, getting up a little earlier or seeing if the cm could give him breakfast?

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