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Behaviour/development

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Daughters behavior (age 5)

2 replies

Surfingirl · Today 14:38

My daughters behavior is very confusing to me, I am looking for advice how 'normal' this is. A bit of background, lovely baby, talked very early, walked late (17 months). Very funny and chill toddler and a great sleeper, rarely had tantrums or terribles 2s etc. Then I had a second baby when she just turned 3, her behaviour completely changed. She started having meltdowns a lot, I was so surprised how she was acting and I was very stressed. I got some help with my health visitor and her behavior finally settled (still had her moments). Then she started school in August and her behaviour is now worse. She screams a lot at home and has started hitting when she is extremely frustrated (multiple times a week), her triggers are things which dont seem 'normal' to me, i.e. me opening a packet for her when she can do it on her own, her thinking she rubbed off a bit of her facepaint, sometimes her tantrums just make no sense at all, they are much worse when she is tired. She behaves very well at school and goes to dance group, swimming, singing group and gets on great, if she is doing things, i.e. at an activity etc she is fine. In the house is where the behaviour is bad, now it has started at my parents. She has always loved going to my parents for sleepovers etc but her behaviour can be bad at theres too now. At school I have spoken to her teacher, described her as shy but very kind with a lot of friends. My MIL had her for a sleepover a few weeks ago and had to call us to return due to a meltdown because she told her she had to finish her craft. I looked into PDA but I dont feel this fits her? She wil happily get ready for school, shower, etc when asked, her tantrums are completely random to me and honestly I am walking on eggshells with her. Everyone who meets her says how lovely/sweet she is. I am just confused to be honest - does this sound regular behaviour? I am at the point I feel nervous for her to go to my parents etc which she has always done incase something sets her off. I will say she is great with her baby brother now, very caring and kind to him, however they can also fight badly.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NiaAndFar · Today 15:17

She is tired and over scheduled. Ditch the extra curriculars. I teach primary and at the moment the little ones are really done by even 2pm. They need to go home and relax and unwind.

Another1DD · Today 17:34

The craft meltdown at your MIL's stood out, it sounds less about the craft and more about being told what to do without warning, which fits the packet opening trigger too. Lots of five year olds who are easygoing at school save their hardest feelings for home because it feels safe, so that split isn't unusual. A heads up before transitions ("five more minutes, then we tidy up") and letting her have small choices, like offering to open the packet herself first, often softens these moments. Tiredness does seem to be the common thread here, and honestly this all sounds within normal range rather than anything more complicated.

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