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Behaviour/development

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Very demanding nearly 3 year old - normal?

2 replies

DeathMetalMum · 12/12/2013 09:14

Dd 2.10 is becoming very demanding. When it is just me her and dd2 she is quite good really, she will go off and amuse herself, play independently etc. It's when both me and dp are at home however, she wants one of us ALL the time its very tiring, sitting on our knees climbing all over us even holding onto my leg. I have had to leave the room at times just to get space. Its not particularly that she wants to play as I ask and suggest things or even get something out but still shows not much interest, it is mainly in the afternoon when she is starting to become tired but I am finding even in the morning.

We do give her lots of one on one time also dd2 is just 9 months so the are starting to play together a little. Dd2 usually sleeps for around 2 hours in the afternoon and when both of ys are around one of us will be playing/drawing/play doh with her. If one of us goes and cooks, tidys any housework or even goes to the toilet, then dd wants the other ones attention now regardless of what is going on. We are usually out most mornings until lunch time doing something with dd2 just the normal playgroup, swings, walk etc.

Is this just normal behaviour for her age? It is very tiring and frustrating at times. Any tips on minimising this, in particular dd is very wingy and whiny when we are both around which is probably the most frustrating part.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
RosebudTheCat · 12/12/2013 22:58

Not sure what to advise, but wanted to let you know we are on the same boat with DS, who has just turned three. He likes a bigger audience to play to I think, so is worse when DH is home as well. The only thing that works is tiring him out at the park, not so easy this time of year!

Ferguson · 13/12/2013 18:30

I guess a child is jealous when she has to 'share' between parents. Although she probably doesn't want anything specific, she just senses things seem a bit different when the second partner is around.

Give her plenty of activities to do and try and keep her really busy: cutting up catalogues, and sticking pictures in scrap book, junk modelling, threading beads, drawing and colouring, Lego, dolls' tea party and making 'food' out of clay, dough, etc (or even cutting up tiny real sandwiches, maybe), But NOT TV, as that's too easy! If she recognises any numerals or letters, make a 'washing line' with pegs and cards with numerals/letters on for her to peg up in correct order, but if she's not yet 'into' academic stuff don't bother with that.

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