Going a bit mad...2.10 yo wants my attention ALL the time

[BadZelda]

I have to admit I just left this morning and went for a walk (left her with DH - not on her own!)...I just couldn't take it any more (having been up since six). I'm currently at home looking after my 5 mo and toddler - but to be honest I'm really not enjoying it. The baby is v chilled and always happy, but her older sister is driving me to distraction. I know it's probably just that she wants reassurance that she's still loved etc - and I do try and give her that, but I'm running out of ideas and energy. Any suggestions or people in the same boat?

I think you did the right thing, I've done that before! Did it on new yrs day this year, after my eldest DD (9 at the time) had big tantrum, I ended up rowing with DH, a walk was the safest option for everybody - no one got hurt!!
It's a perfectly normal stage your DH is going through, and yours is a perfectly normal response. fear not, it will pass, my youngest was like it. Does your DH ever take her out or spend quality time with her? that may be a good strategy, do you ever get out much and let your hair down? I use to go to keep fit when they were small, nothing too glam, but it got me out and speaking grown up talk. Get yourself up the pub once in a while with pals, if you can. My real treat is taking myself off to cinema on my own, sounds a bit billy no mates, but I love it. Keep smiling! By the way, did the walk help?

Actually my DH is great with her - he looks after her on wednesdays so I can write, and often takes her on trips on the weekends, to give me a bit of space.

I think it's partly because her language is very developed, so I sometimes forget how young she is. And then it's easy to give an overly adult response to her demands for attention that just confuses and upsets her and makes things worse. The walk definitely helped, and now she's happily playing in her room because she hasn't realised I'm back. For some reason she doesn't do the attention thing with daddy at all.

Forgot to mention she's VERY bossy which is why it can sometimes be rather stressful.

kids do seem to act differently with Dads, sometimes all I seem to hear from my 2 is MUUUUM, all the time, when I moan at DH about it, and ask why they never do it with him, he always says "because they know I won't respond" Initially i thought u meany, but it's true, and they don't love him any less!! blokes responses are often more practical and less emotional, I think we're the opposite. 2 is a tough age to start making deals with her but you may have to just be tough. "I will play with you when I have finished the washing up, but only if you let mummy get on with it" etc, not sure how well it would work, but I always did it with mine. I can be very stubborn! if there is something I want to finish they just have to bloody wait!!
I think the bossiness is just her trying to assert herself, the best correction technique is never to respond in the same way, if you do you are confirming her behaviour, do u know what I mean? Maybe sometimes just ignoring her, if possible will help, I know it can be tough! Good to hear you have such a supportive DH