5pm - 7pm shift. 15mo. Tips or solidarity?!

[Allthecoloursoftherainbow]

Basically the time between getting home from nursery and going to bed. (Or those times on non nursery days)

She just whines. Shes not crying upset, but she's not happy, just this constant background wahhhhh. She has this 'i don't want whatever I want' attitude

I feel like I'm walking a tightrope between keeping her content and causing a full blown meltdown. She'll point to things (water, milk, books, fruit) and then bat them away in a temper when I give them to her. She might drink a cup of milk sitting on my lap but then kick off if I try to put her down or in her chair.

I'm sure it's frustrating for her because she can't tell me what she wants but at the end of a long day at work I'm finding my temper quite short and really struggling to remain relaxed and gentle and understanding with her. It's such hard work!!

(DP is usually home between 6 & 6.30 and always takes her so this isn't about lack of support, it's hard for him too)

How do you all do it? What makes them happy? If it's a phase how long does it last?!!!

My eldest used to rage around for about 30 minutes, eat some toast and then would watch "in the night garden" and go to bed. I think it's because they are at that point where they can be on the go for hours but still get overstimulated and overwhelmed relatively easily.

It did end at some point but was then replaced by the terrible twos instead. 😩

Yep having the same with my 15mo at the moment. It does pass! (I have a nearly 3yo too). It's all down to being knackered from nursery and frustrated because they can't really say what they want. I try and get my DD to eat a snack and then we put some music on and have a little dance, usually cheers her up, then milk bath and bed. Deep breaths and lots of patience....