Am I alone 😬😬

[MrsNut88]

Ok I hate to moan. But...

My daughter is difficult. 😬

There’s nothing physically or developmentally wrong with her. She’s 15 months.

She has huge tantrums when she doesn’t get her own way (I know All babies have tantrums but hers are epic..everyday) .

She won’t eat will only Have bottles (had severe colic and reflux as a baby so feeding has always been an issue) .

Can walk and has been walking since she was 10 months but she won’t walk When we go out and she won’t sit in her Pram (enter epic tantrums and screaming which means I really don’t enjoy being out) .

She gets frustrated if we go out to eat and won’t sit in a high chair / wait for us to do what we want. She has to be entertained 24/7 and wants to be attached to me.

I only Work part time (I’m a nurse and work to me is a break! 🤦🏼‍♀️) and she loves her childminder so she does socialise with other people and she is well behaved there 😳😳😳

I know how lucky I am to have her and I love
Her unconditionally but I feel....jealous. Of other mums who can take their babies out for a long walk in the buggy or take them and socialise with their friends. I’ve tried not giving in to her (eg making her walk) but she’s so bloody stubborn it just doesn’t work.

This is not how I thought it would be! Didn’t have it easy from the off with a traumatic birth ending In pnd and ptsd and then the reflux but I did hope things would get easier!

Does anyone else have a “spirited” child and do you have any suggestions of how to cope with them? I’ve tried baby groups, activities
At home, limiting tv time, letting her cry, leaving her with other family members

Thank you!

I keep chanting to myself that it is a phase and it will pass. It seems like a very long phase at the moment...

You’re not alone! My 15 mo would only be carried in the sling, never ate so bf allll the time, and wouldn’t go in a high chair. And epic tantrums.
Now (ds is now 2) life is much easier! I bribe to get him in the buggy (not my finest parenting moment, but it works!) , and he eats very well but we gave up on the high chair
And tantrums are not as bad, and he can understand a lot more so we can talk about feelings and offer solutions! It’s just a phase.

Don’t take her out for meals. She’s a bit young to be sitting behaving herself and so nobody enjoys it. Go less often but book a babysitter so you get to have a nice meal out.
It’s a bit of a frustrating age as they want to be independent and walk but can’t go far or at speed. Save her walking for gentle potters to do what she enjoys rather than dragging to shops, maybe. Leave her at home when you have to go shopping. No 15 month old wants to be in a prom in a shopping centre or similar - so avoid, if possible.

I always always had a snack to bribe with to get her into the pushchair. That might not work for you if she doesn’t eat but could she have a bottle once she is strapped in? Also don’t feel alone. I used to go for long walks with my daughter in the pram - because she would NOT sleep otherwise. I walked for an hour and a half everyday and it only sometimes worked. So those other mums might not be having an easier time. Honestly I think we are all a mess.

Me too 😳😳

@SpottingTheZebras me too 😳😳

@chequeplease oh I’m glad I’m not the only one who has given up on the high chair it seemed to make this a lot lot worse 😳🤦🏼‍♀️😬

@Hauskat oh that’s a point I’d never thought about other people walking with buggies! That’s made me feel a bit better at least 😂😂

@mrsnut88 it’s so much nicer to have a happy child at meal times (even if they wander around a bit!)
At 15mo there’s plenty of time to teach meal time etiquette yet!