Dear all, I just want some impartial advice about my little girl. She only turned 3 in October and up until few months ago, she was a happy bubbly kid, with a strong personality but nothing of much concern. On the opposite, she is very bright, excellent memory, decent speech (although bilingual), likes interactions with other kids, has patience and used to listed and follow instructions (we have been travelling on planes, trains, boats around Europe several times). We go on play dates, soft play, parties, holidays abroad etc and she always like being around old her kids, especially older ones and she’s desperate to have friends. However for the last couple of months (coincidentally after returning from Disneyland) she has changed dramatically. Nursery complains of uncontrollable behaviour, hitting staff, screaming, shouting, not following instructions, throwing herself on the floor etc). She is happy to go to nursery, but when asked she says that she’s angry and she screams and shouts. the dance teacher (one of her favourite activities) also complained about her screaming, crying and not listening or doing what she is told. At home she became extremely clingy. She wants to be with me all the time, she follows me in the house and want to sleep cuddled up. She is literally like a stamp to a letter. Recently she started having very bad nightmares, screaming in her sleep and waking up every 30 minutes. I also struggle to calm her down at home and she totally ignores me. Shes almost like a completely different child. However, Her language is coming on really well, completely potty trained and gave up her dummy in 2 days. I’m a single mum working full time as well,
but dad is around and she’s surrounded by friends and family all the time (although she’s with me most of the time of course) There is a history of autism with one of her step sisters. Until recently, I had absolutely no reason to believe that something is possible wrong, but for the past couple of months I felt really powerless. I know she is only 3, but the fact that she doesn’t follow any instructions and has uncontrollable tantrums really worries me. Nursery said that she can’t cope with larger groups and struggles to understand how to interact with other kids (takes toys from them, doesn’t wait her turn etc). On the other hand, she’s perfectly fine at the childminder when it’s a much smaller settings and she gets on brilliantly with the other 2 children. I can go on and on…I suppose I’m just looking for some advice around how to tackle this new behaviour as I feel guilty, depressed and powerless. She’s my everything and I feel like I’ve already failed as a parent!