Hi,
I'm looking for advice on how to handle my toddler (18m) who over the past few months has been absolutely beyond losing it every single time we try to dress her / bathe her / brush her teeth / brush her hair / apply sunscreen / put coat on / change her nappy... I mean full on tantrums, to the point I'm worried she might hurt herself because she flings herself back, kicks her legs etc. so I have to sit and physically hold her to stop her from injuring herself. It's at least twice a day. I am physically and emotionally exhausted.
I'm fully aware that this can be normal toddler behaviour but it has been going on for months and it does feel really extreme.
I've tried the gentle approach, giving her choices, giving her gentle countdowns, getting down to her level, trying to distract her, making everything fun... nothing works. But she needs her hygiene taken care of it's not like I can just leave her! at this stage now I feel like I'm just having to physically force her into getting a bath and get dressed even though she seems really distressed every time, especially with the bath.
I'm at my wits end now.
The thing is, at nursery she's an angel! Lies with her legs up to change nappy, eats every bite of her lunch, allows them to put her coat on no bother. At home it's like wrestling an alligator!!
I feel like a total failure - what am I doing wrong that nursery are doing right?