Toddler a nightmare after grandparents house

[MrsCremuel]

First off, I’m very grateful they take him out and have him over for the night! This is less of a complaining post and more a ‘does anyone else observe this’ post.

When my toddler comes back from his grandparents house he is a total handful. Hitting and scratching us, not listening, major tantrums, refusing dinner etc etc. Honestly sometimes wonder if it’s worth sending him there!

Anyone else?

Same here!
I call it his protest 😂
He's as happy as can be with them, he has a great time always but it's like he's punishing me for not being there.

why do you send him there?

My dc are pre-teen now but yes, ever since they were old enough to be little nightmares they were awful on returning from a sleepover and day with my pils.
I used to put it down to tiredness but in reality they were just downright not very nice.
Even now, on returning from them they have an edge and a bit of an obnoxious attitude.
I'm pleased they don't go as often now as they now choose to do things with friends or chill at home on a weekend.

@Orangejuicemarathoner they like having him and we enjoy and evening off now and then.

Yes. Completely normal. They are releasing all their impulses in their place after being on best behaviour the whole time x

Yes, same here. In part i think upset to no longer be there and in part release after being on good behaviour. She loves it, my parents love it, DH and i also love it, so I'm happy to put up with a short term grumpy bum afterwards.

Completely normal.

He's probably been totally indulged, full of sugar and had a late night.

Its worth it though.

Mines like this after nursery (two days a week). Wound up, over excited and over tired. Early bath and bed usually sorts it!

Yep, grandad teaches him all sorts of bad habits, he gets away with a lot more and generally goes to bed later and sleeps worse.

He's 3 now, it's got better as he's got older and he loves spending time there, but I also wonder whether the time off is worth the effort needed to restore good behaviour upon his return.