DD 22 months just ruined our break away. Why is she like this just when we go away?

[jogym]

The 4 of us decided to go for a break away for a few days before DD1 goes back to school. We decided to go away to a nice hotel with a pool etc. Bad mistake. My 22 month old turned into the demon from hell developed a blood curdling scream and drove us all potty. She is quite stubborn at the best of times but I've never seen her like this before (well with the exception of our holiday abroad in June). Is there some kind of destruct button they can press to ruin everybody else's holiday. Examples are: refusing to get undressed and dressed and pinning her arms to her sides so you can't get anything off, screaming when put in pram, embarrassing us when eating where we had to scoff our food down us and basically flee before we got any more looks, not staying in high chair, trying to throw the plate at us when finished her food,when lifting her out not staying at the table and roaming round the restaurant, up and down steps etc. starting to yell when a sausage fell on her knee or fork drops on the floor, pulling her shoes off and saying sore foot, sore leg, things that we have come across at home but while away x10. I just can't understand it and I don't know how to deal with it. My mum says I need to be more firm with her. I don't know what to do differently than what I'm actually doing. My husband even threatened to pack our bags and go home the first day as he couldn't stick it any longer. It was like a different child. Can anyone explain why and is this normal. She was starting to scare me!

FWIW Ginger has helped me through a very tough time with my DS when I felt as if I was slipping into PND. She has never judged me and I think she has been unfairly attacked and misinterpreted.

For the past 2 years we have gone self catering in this country with my mother for support because I know my youngest is not the easiest of children. But all children are different and when DD was 10 months we took her to visit friends in Budapest and had no problems. Sometimes I think the personality of the child has a huge impact and maybe your first DD was a more easy going child. I know what a shock to the system it is when a subsequent child is not as easy going. DS2 has been quite a shock I can tell you!

I think Ginger has a valid point, it is all relatively normal toddler behaviour. It can be wearing though so I do sympathise, it can't be much fun when your on holiday and everything seems like a battle.

My ds is only 12 months and always screams when being put in the pushchair, high chair, never stays still in restaraunts, always cries to come out of the high chair after 5 mins, has to be walking/ crawling about. I have been assure it's normal!

I don't know any kids who don't protest to being dressed or undressed but just try and do it as gently and quickly as possible. Perhaps try to distract her when your doing it and tell her a story or make a game of it. I have to say 'where's Joseph gone???,' every time I put clothes over his head, and then 'THERE HE IS!!!' really excitedly and stupid sounding just so he thinks it's a game! I also do the same for his legs 'where's Joe's leg gone?'- that sort of thing, it doesn't always work but often does.

Agree with charlie that some kids are just more highly strung than others and it's up to us to gentley encourage the desirable behaviour but it's not easy. xxxx Don't let it ruin your holiday. xx

Totally normal behavior - you didn't really want honesty though did you?

Thanks Charliemama, it's a mutal admiration. I am the least likely to look for a fight so a bit bewildered as to why I've been singled out. But, ho hum.

am I the only one impressed that the OP's DD usually sits in a high chair? DS will no longer go near the things.

and there is NO WAY he would be getting near sniffing distance of a nice restaurant. Crayons keep him occupied for all of 5 minutes then he eats them and strolls off to accost a few strangers.

Sounds like you had a placid first child and a normal lively second - adjust your expectations. If you want advice on dealing with overexcited toddlers there are plenty of wise MNers. Many of them have posted on this thread...