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Toddler emotional over reaction? (Not tantrum)

1 reply

Maisieskates · 01/08/2013 22:10

I am hoping someone has experience of what we are dealing with - I've looked online without success and hope mumsnet can come to our rescue!

DD is 2yrs4mths. She has always eaten and slept well, met developmental milestones and been fairly easy. She responds really well to distraction and we've had very few actual tantrums. So far so good! However, she has what I can only describe as major over-reactions to anything out of place or what are definitely minor bumps. E.g. Tonight she got very upset that something was out of place in the bathroom. I try saying its ok I'll sort it later, distress continues, I fix it and she's fine. She gets upset if the bath mat isn't completely flat on the floor, drawers aren't shut properly, teddy in wrong position in bed - that kind of thing. Often it's something that is nothing to do with her and completely random you can't believe she's even noticed it. She is also very sensitive to pain it seems. A slight nudge from someone running past in the playground or she drops a small book on her own foot and is inconsolable.

We are really unsure how to help her deal with all this emotion. She gets so distressed and its obviously distressing for us as we dont know how to help her. She used to react similarly to things not working or if she couldn't do something and I have taught her to ask for help instead of crying, but this has got me completely stumped. Any ideas or suggestions much appreciated.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Metalhead · 02/08/2013 07:44

No advice I'm afraid but my DD (3.1) is the same - cries at the slightest graze or if someone accidentally bumps into her. We also still get major tantrums if she wants to do something herself and can't (she won't ask for or accept help).

It is very frustrating! I'm hoping she'll toughen up a bit when she goes to school next year...

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