Anyone's DC change the minute they turned 4?!

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

DD was 4 this week. I thought I'd paced it right. Nice but low key party at home, not an excess of presents, a couple she really wanted. The birthday itself was fine.

Since then, wow! She screams and cries throughout the day. Cries at everything, shouts at me with her hands in her hips (!?), is cross, rude, sulky. Bedtimes have been hard work, although she went to bed nicely last night (and still woke in a bad mood!).

She's not like herself at all. What's going on? Or is this what 4 year olds are like? We're going on holiday tomorrow. Hope not to have a tantrum filled trip!

Sounds like my 3 year old son. I was hoping he'd get better once he turned 4!

Is she overtired? My son is ten times worse when he's tired. Anything you can think of that is upsetting her?

Probably overtired, maybe needs routine back. Had my mum here for a week, now more house guests then holiday. Perhaps she needs some extra mummy time. Helping me with packing now and it's going quite well...

when my DD turned 4 it was like a switch flicked.

and again when she turned five.

It's getting worse for us.

Could it be the anti climax of her birthday? Even if it was low key, it's still a big deal to a child. Maybe it's just coming out in poor behaviour...that coupled with the other things that aren't the norm that you have mentioned. Sure it will settle down for you!

I think it could be the anticlimax. I used to feel like that as a child, but not this young I don't think (or remember, anyway!). Tonight there were even toilet accidents (plural!) which hasn't happened for 12 months or so.

There's a lot going on. I'm going back to work soon, this holiday, new school term etc. I'll try to be understanding but firm. Hope over-indulging by grandparents on holiday doesn't worsen things.