I’ve had a particularly rubbish day with DD who’s just turned 2 and could really do with some perspective.
We were at playgroup and I told her she couldn’t do something which she proceeded to throw herself on the floor and cried. In the end I had to pick her up and take her home, which felt mortifying.
She’s always been quite sensitive and I can’t work out whether this is just standard toddler behaviour or if there’s something else going on.
Things I overthink / worry about:
She can be very clingy – sometimes doesn’t want to be put down or insists on holding my hand, especially in unfamiliar places. Other times she seems confident and fine.
Gets upset if children her age come too close or if she feels “blocked in”. Also doesn’t like strangers walking past her on stairs.
Insists on holding a hand going down a slide.
When she’s upset she screeches incredibly loudly (proper ear-piercing).
Has recently started hating the bath and cries while she’s in it.
Doesn’t play independently for long and seems to need constant input.
I know some of this could just be temperament. I’m quite an anxious, sensitive person and her dad is very quiet, so maybe that’s just who she is.
I think I worry more because three of her cousins are autistic and so is my sister, so I can’t help comparing her to other children at playgroup.
On the flip side, she can be very happy little girl. Her language is good – she speaks in 3–4 word sentences, knows her colours and shapes and picks things up quickly. She has good eye contact and doesn’t seem to have any obvious red flags beyond being easily overwhelmed.
I just feel constantly on edge when we’re out because I’m bracing myself for a public meltdown over something tiny. It feels like this ramped up around 18 months. Before that she was easier – we even took her abroad a few times and she coped brilliantly.
Is this just being 2? Or does it sound like more than that?
Feeling like a very stressed out mum at the moment!