Sad dd2 missing big sister who has started school

[nearlythree]

My dd2 (aged 2 and a bit) has really been through it in the past few months including being very poorly, moving house, stopping bf and the arrival of baby ds. When upset her behaviour is very anxious; she hides her eyes, holds her earlobes, has tantrums, hides in the corner etc. Over the summer she has lost most of this behaviour and has become really content. However, her big sister has just started school and teh behaviour is coming back. She is too young to understand about school etc.

Has anyone else been through this? What can I do to help?

not much advice sorry, but I'm going to be in the same boat next week - dd1 starts school and dd2 will be crushed she worships her sister......
will keep an eye on this

Poor you and dd2, it's not nice.

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It is a difficult time, but you will get through it! Your dd2 has had a lot of changes in her life just when she thought she was getting the hang of things, so she needs a lot of reassurance. Try and keep a routine for her so she can have some consistancy (might be hard with baby ds tho!). Use the time when ds is asleep to have some quality 1 on 1 time with her, she will soon see that there are some benefits to big sis not being there!
Also - maybe you could together get some drinks and a snack ready for when dd1 comes home? Make it a fun thing to do, and will also emphasise that dd1 WILL come back.
Just some thoughts. Good luck with it all.

Thanks for your replies. I really didn't see this coming, although she is very affectionate with dd1, dd2 isn't one of those toddlers who follows the older child around. Anyway, today has been a bit better, and I took her with me to pick dd1 up (I don't need to as dh is at home) and she seemed to like that. Maybe it's because I had a better day

Dd2 starts pre-school in November, and will make an effort to do toddler groups and things in the meantime. With all that's happened it's been hard to do stuff with her.