Miserable 16 month old, any ideas?

[screamingbanshee]

My 16 month old seems just generally frustrated with life and I feel at my wits end and totally miserable that she is so unhappy. I feel I cannot anymore blame it on teething/MMR/cold etc. She is not interested in walking although she can and and has TERRIBLE tantrums where she throws herself on the floor and cries forever. She only plays for small parts of the day, most of the time she just sits sucking her thumb. Occasionally she is happy and really smiley but it is few and far between. She is dc3 so I have done this twice before I just dont remember the frustration of this age being so bad.....I know it will pass but guess I just need some ideas!!!

I could have written this post word for word. I don't know what to say but you have my sympathies, huge sympathies

is she just bored?

dd was awful when stuck at home and needed An Activity scheduled twice a day every day, even if it was just Getting The Pans Out

Agree with MrsBadger. She may be bored. Can you get to a mums and tots group? There are plenty around and she would be able to see other kids (older and younger) running around which might encourage her. Just going to the park or something can help - often a change of scene is good.

When mine were that age, they were in their pushchair every day (regardless of the weather) and made to go out somewhere, even if we just went round the block and they got out and walked a bit.

Obviously she has been happier today since I wrote this message! I just dont see how she can be bored with 2 siblings, lots going on and plenty of toys, but I get what you mean about getting out although she isnt walking so thats not an option.....

[jaded laughter at 'not getting bored due to plenty of toys']

ime toys are the last thing that'll interest a 16mo

get out of the house - I know she isn't walking yet but have you not got a pushchair? She just needs a change of scene.

Actually there is no reason why, in warm clothes and a waterproof all-in-one, she can't go out in the garden with the older two - it's only mud.

How old are the others? what do they do all day?

My DD is 16mths too.

With the tantrums. My DD can really go for it and has started the terrible twos already! She does the whole arch the back, throwing herself on the floor thing when she cant get her own way. Id say thats just normal for this age.

Re- being bored. What is your normal like? Do you go out to any clubs etc? I agree about sometimes a change of scenery really does help. DD can be really moody and just a trip to the supermarket/park has done the trick.
DD is happy out or at home. I do keep her busy at home and she likes to help me with everyday tasks, ie taking the washing out the machine/put it in, Taking clothes off the airer,helping me clean the sofa with a leather wipe.
Anything that makes her feel more grown up. Her toys dont always cut the mustard!

What do the other children do? How old are they? Do you involve her in any of there activities?

Re walking- Not much help as DD was walking at 11mths and now is alitte tearaway! Just encourage her to walk and make abig thing of it when she does. Even now DD is confident at walking I will praise her "good walking" if she has walked for a long time round the shop etc. She will get there in the end... dont worry too much. My friends DD didnt take her first steps till she was 17mths.

Re not walking. If you take her somewhere where there are lots of kids her age walking - it might spur her on, especially when the only way she's going to be able to join in the fun is if she walks. You said she could walk, she just doesn't want to, so maybe she would want to if she thought she'd miss out on something if she didn't.

Thanks v much for your messages - we have 2 dogs too so out twice a day in pram and backpack - my dd1 is at school and ds1 is at home too most of the time, they play really well together most of the time so that is brilliant, I think re reading my message I was having a particularly bad morning and things are not too bad really and yes good point about toys and actually she isnt that into them! good tips about cleaning things etc, she loves posting and tiping things into one another.....I think just hanging in there, Its just hard to give her individual attention with 2 other dc and 2 dogs and work etc etc......thanks!