Mums please help!

[GIJoe]

My daughter is almost 4 and I'm seriously struggling just now with her acting out. The thing is she only ever seems to misbehave when she's tired. She actually becomes like a completely different child! We put her to bed between 7 and 8 most nights and she wakes every morning between 6 and 7. This never changes even if she is put to bed later. She usually starts to get tired around 10.30 and then that's when she completely changes. Rather than falling asleep she's getting totally hyper and starts acting out. This happens every where we go. It's got to the point now that I don't want to take her out in public if I know she's tired because it becomes a total nightmare. Every one tells me to just put her down for a nap but she's almost 4 shouldn't napping during the day be stopped by now? I'm thinking that I should take her to the doctor? Anyone else experience something similar?

Hi , some children just need more sleep than others , does she fall asleep quite quickly at bedtimes? I would let her have the nap at 10.30 ,she may only need half an hour . This might tho change when she falls asleep at bedtimes. I presume she's not at nursery or school. Try it for a few days and see if it helps . She will grow out of naps when she's ready .

PP nailed it. What happens if she has a nap at 10:30?

Thanks for your replies. She is in nursery 4 days a weeks so on those days I have no issues. When she comes home I fully expect her to be tired as she is active all day. It's the wk ends, holidays or family functions that we go to that I have problems with because as soon as she gets tired it's game over. I always feel on edge in fear of how she will start to misbehave so usually end of leaving. She always just runs off, hides under tables and refuses to hold my hand. She just has no sense of danger whatsoever!

As you can see the cues she's giving regarding being tired I would let her nap , she is still only 3 . I wouldn't worry what she should/shouldn't be doing . Go with what you think she needs.