Post Nursery Tantrums

[jelly79]

I am writing this through tears. I feel completely shattered, my DS3 has just had the most almighty tantrum! I couldn't calm him.

He has had a couple of mini meltdowns post nursery but not that bad. He has never had them before.

Been back to a new nursery since last Monday.

Is this normal? How do I help him??

He's probably shattered! Dd was like this when she started nursery last year and has been exactly the same this year after starting school last week.

She had a full on crying, sobbing meltdown last week over her dinner. I made her a cheese and tomato omelette (which she asked for) and cut it up for her (as she asked me to) and she ate all but 4 pieces. Then decided she didn't like it . 20 mins it took to calm her down. I wasn't bothered if she left the rest, she had eaten enough! I've brought bedtime forwards by half hour for the time being to see if it helps.

She's only been doing half days so far, full days start tomorrow (send help!).

Does he sleep at nursery?

I sometimes find nurseries tire them out mentally but not physically which is a dangerous combination in my mind.!!

He’s tired and overwhelmed. It’s eXhausting for them physically and the mental stimulation is also very tiring. He will settle down.

Definitely tired. I didn't get this after nursery but dd was like it when she started school. She completely regressed and had some full blown, leg kicking toddler tantrums.

My dd (nearly 3) is the same. She's been going to the same nursery for 2 years nearly and loves it. But she has just dropped her nap after moving to the next age room... and we absolutely notice when she gets home - the tantrums about utter nonsense are something else, because she is overtired when she gets home. Not helped by the messing around at bedtime that toddlers become expert at.

My older one was the same when she dropped her last nap - it took a couple of months and then she grew out of it eventually. Some days I bathed her at half 5 and plonked her in bed at 6 and she'd sleep 13 or 14 hrs straight.

Thank you all!! He is definitely over tired and you have all reassured me.

It's tough isn't it??

I am going to bring his bedtime forward as he is struggling to get up at 8am too

We went through this when DS returned to nursery after lockdown. It seemed to be a mix of tiredness and adjustment. It did pass.

Tonight was much easier, very calm and he was full of love but wouldn't let me go. I was prepared for it though.

To be fair we have had a couple of weeks of big changes so each day at a time

I'm glad that you had a better night with him. It's so hard when they're little; they get overtired and over emotional and don't even understand what they're feeling themselves let alone be able to explain it to us.

@cariadlet ahh thank you!! He was so snuggly last night! We are in the process of moving house, a lot of commuting and returning to nursery after 6 months. His big sister who has been with him for the whole of lockdown has moved to uni too.

On the whole he has adapted so well but the occasional meltdown is understandable but really hard

Defo tiredness. Try and keep the evenings low expectation, predictable and soothing. Moving and the associated stress around it will also have an effect on him so just lots and lots of patience and kindness - to yourself as well as him :o

Nursery is honestly so difficult, not just for them but for us! DD had 5 months off. The other day, DH collected her, she said goodbye with a smile on her face. Then as soon as the door was closed she burst into tears. She’s only two and it broke our heart.

I try to think how different I am at work to at home, and what an adjustment it’s all been. She has been ill several times already, and is always just so tired. I miss the ease of when DH was on furlough and she didn’t have to go. It’s really really hard but I’m hoping it’s just a transition that will get easier. Early dinner, baths and bedtimes have been helping.

Sorry no advice other than to say I hope it all settles down soon. I always tell myself that there are good days and bad days, but you have to take a deep breath and constantly remind yourself of the good days! And make sure you look after yourself too.

Absolutely normal. Overwhelmed and tired!