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Jekell and Hyde toddler

2 replies

Crunchie · 30/12/2002 22:28

I know this is normal, but I just want a little feedback to reassure dh and me!! My 21 month old had just started having the most amazing screaming fits. Often at night, in the middle of the night (twice in the past week) she has woken up screaming her heart out. She used to be placated with milk, but nothing works, she screams and screams and if we get her out of her cot she rips off all her clothes and nappy and runs around from room to room screaming and crying. Usually after a while (up to half an hour) she may allow her nappy to be put on and she will settle again, we then have to sing her to sleep. This is happening more and more however, it started big time about 10 days ago when we were at my parents and she was tired, she screamed when we tried to get her ready for bed, screamed all the hour long journey home and finally slept exhausted. Today we had one massive session this morning, therefore she didn't actually get dressed properly today we never managed to get her trousers on! She had a good go at lunch and refused to eat, finally ate a few spoon of baked beans sitting in the middle of teh living room! Then tonight at bedtime again, and again at 9pm. I wish I knew what it was.

I think it's because she has suddenly given up her afternoon nap, she screams so much and throws herself out of the cot and comes downstairs again!! We just haven't bothered anymore. ALso we have just moved her into share with her sister, but she seems to love it.

Does anyone else have this, it is like a switch in her head, I have tried holding her close, tried leaving her alone, everything I can do, but she just rips off all her clothes and runs around screaming!!

However it is so funny, and you do have to try not to laugh, especially when her sistre (3 3/4) says, Mummy she just doesn't want to put her nappy on, when you have tried about 30 times. Don't tell me potty training, We've tried this too, and she weed everywhere bar the pot!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Bekki · 30/12/2002 22:40

Well I don't want to say its a phase because its irritating enough when people say it about my son. But kids are in constant ever changing phases when do they ever exhibit normal behaviour? I'd try to get her to settle down and have a quite time in the afternoon it seemed to calm my crazed sleep deprived child down. But then again its easier with him because hes still got a comforter, a bottle! at 2 and a half! Kids don't like change though and it takes them a long time to settle. Just keep calm and don't worry, my son is also a budding nudist.

CookieMonster · 31/12/2002 08:50

You're right, Crunchie, this is quite normal behaviour from what I can gather. My dd (22 months) behaves in a similar fashion to this at times. It's usually when I want her to do something like get dressed in the morning, get her shoes and coat on to go out or undress to go in the bath - she just screams and fights like a thing possessed. I too have tried ignoring it, talking calmly through it and physically holding her down to get her clothes on/off but she just has to calm down in her own time and then she's fine.
It's like everything else at this stage of their lives - it will pass ..... (please??!!)
Keep smiling ... CM

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