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DC tantrums coming home from DGP

3 replies

Mamabear04 · 30/09/2023 19:09

DD is just about to turn 4 years old. She was an excellent toddler, seemed to miss out the terrible twos and then turned into a complete threenager which has made for a difficult year. She's been through a lot of changes this past year (moving house, starting nursery, new sibling, moving from cot to a bed) so I'm putting it down to that as well as normal development leaps. Things had got a lot better and DH and I have developed better parenting techniques. I thought all was getting back on track however lately whenever she spends time with DGP (my parents) she constantly has terrible outbursts and is so unpleasant to everyone in the house, shouting and screaming, throwing toys, scaring her little brother, even hitting sometimes.

DD is very close with DGP. When I went back to work after maternity leave they looked after her 2 full days a week for 2 years and then 10 months ago she started nursery so we cut it down to 1 day instead. I thought this would be an easier transition for her then all out cold turkey with DGP. So she goes 3 half days to nursery, 1 day with DGP and 1 day with me and DS (in that order). Every day when she is with me and DS she always has outbursts (although is fine when we have her days altogether). I put it down to the fact that she gets so much 1 on 1 attention at DGP and they go out all day and do fun things (I can't be out all day long because DS still naps twice a day so at least have to be back for a decent afternoon nap) that she gets angry and explodes when she doesn't get her own way or I can't give her my full attention.

I'm really at my wits end at how to handle this? It really makes everyone in the house miserable and I feel so guilty I'm not doing enough or being enough for her. Last night she went for a sleepover at DGP house and when I went to pick her up she hid from me and didn't want to come home. Is that normal? Have we created a horrible home for her? I feel horrendous that she doesn't want to spend time at home! How can I fix this?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Mamabear04 · 30/09/2023 19:12

*she's fine when we have our half days together

OP posts:
Lammveg · 30/09/2023 21:45

Does she ever tell you what's wrong? Not sure what type of style your parenting is but you could say something like 'it's hard coming home from DGP house isn't it? You did lots of fun things with them and we don't go out as much'. Just validate it?

She might calm down and then you can offer her an activity to do together.

You know your home isn't horrible, the fact you're asking for advice/are concerned shows you care. Kids just have Big Feelings that they don't know how to express.

steppemum · 30/09/2023 21:56

it is really common for kids to behave well at nursery/GPs/ friends houses and then have melt downs at home.

Don't be discouraged by it, in fact try and think of it as the opposite. She knows how to 'behave' in all those settings, and works really hard at being a 'good girl' and then has time at home and she can relax and you are the safe place where she can finally be less than good. It is hard work being on your best behaviour!

She may also be tired, going out and doing lots of fune things is also tiring.

Keep being consistent, keep being calm, keep same rules and consequences etc.

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