What happened to dd(3yo)?

[cc_mama]

The last couple weeks of the pregnancy were hard on dd but now the challenging me at every turn is out of control. At one point today all three of us ended up crying. I can't even convince her to get dressed and get out of the house some days. She's also replicating some behaviors that she saw our 11 yo DD do(11 yo moved to a group home in January due to safety issues). Before ds was born I was able to put more energy into her challenging me...but now I just want to get things done. I'm trying to make sure she gets mommy time and when she's way out of control I just pick her up and hold her - no lectures ect... I'm just finding myself angry at her quite a bit of the time. (I've had struggles with depression in the past but not postpartum so right now I'm seeing warning signs but nothing last more than 1 day in a row).

This mothering another is really throwing us for a loop....anyone else?

[AfricanQueen99]

Yes. Same here. My daughter (four at the end of the month) is spending a lot of time challenging and pitching fits. Annoying as all get out, but completely age appropriate.

If I'm noy counting to three for her I'm mentally counting to ten for myself...

[Gray's Mommy]

it depends on the minute here....between the postpartum hormones, the 3 year old, the newborn & the 9 year old...you never know who will those their cool first in this house.

s to you mama!!!

[lalaland42]

My almost 5 year old is going through a lot of the same things. Right now she is on the baby's play mat insisting she is a baby. I am chalking it up to her having adjustment issues too and trying(!) to take it in stride.

Remember that 3 is still very much a baby. And don't forget there is a gentle discipline forum.

[wookie]

Originally Posted by AfricanQueen99

Yes. Same here. My daughter (four at the end of the month) is spending a lot of time challenging and pitching fits. Annoying as all get out, but completely age appropriate.

If I'm noy counting to three for her I'm mentally counting to ten for myself...

this.

ds just turned 4 and he's gotten yelled at more this past year (baby is 10mo) than in his entire previous life. it's getting better now that i'm getting used to mothering two so there's hope. one thing i continue to do is to make sure i cuddle/talk to/do things with ds1 whenever the baby naps. these are also opportunities for me to apologise for yelling at him before or for telling him how much i love him or how babies need a lot of attention but when he naps ds1 has me all to himself etc. his tantrums have also eased as he's gotten used to my divided attention also. hang in there.

[sunshadow]

My daughter has days where she refuses to get dressed and it's not worth the battle for me. I have tried to be more flexible with her and acknowledge that I know it's hard to have a baby brother and we all have to help each other out. It doesn't always make things easier, but it's all I can think of to do.

[Gray's Mommy]

HOLY SMOKES!! My 3 year old is now out of control with some of his behavior stuff...the honeymoon is over I believe

[RPS67]

We've had problems with our 3 year old, too, starting right after the baby arrived. I admit that we spoiled him horribly because we're older and he was the youngest (with older siblings ranging from 9-20!).

I picked up a book called 1-2-3 Magic because I'd heard from other parents that it worked well, and I'm most of the way through it. I'm hoping to start using it this weekend.

I figure anything has to be better than the constant negative attention, right?