DD (4.5): Hitting, throwing... new baby?

[staceychev]

DD (4-1/2) has always had quite a temper on her (gets it from her dad and grandpa). She's very bright and very stubborn, and I've had some success using the Raising Your Spirited Child methods.

However, she's been getting violent over the past few months. I don't know if it's developmental, or the new baby or both. Yesterday, she punched me in the face; today, she kicked her dad and threw a dog toy at me (sitting w/ baby) because I laid claim to my nursing chair.

DH says all kids go through this phase (hitting/throwing), but I'm not so sure. I keep thinking that something's "wrong" with her... TV, spoiled by grandma, food allergies or dyes... whatever. Her cousin was diagnosed with Aspergers after years of lashing out and breaking down, but I don't see the interpersonal issues in her that he has/had. Still, of course, it's always there in the back of my mind...

Any thoughts?

(nak)

[silybum]

Have you noticed any connection to her diet? Have you tried taking out most refined sugar, colorings, preservatives etc? Even juice is VERY high in sugar.

These are things that can affect behaviors. I am definitely not trying to say that anything is necessarily wrong.

[Sheryl1678]

I am going through the exact same thing with my DD 4.5. Her "nastiness" has grown exponentially since her sister was born 15 mo ago. Sigh.

I am wondering the exact same things as you. I try desperately to keep her diet chemical free and also find that sleep seems to be a big culprit.

[staceychev]

Thanks for the reassurance that it might be normal, Sheryl! (As difficult as it is, of course...)

I think I am going to try to work on her diet. We eat very well as a family, but junk food definitely finds its way into our lives. We all have a sweet tooth, and my mom feeds DD utter crap whenever they're together. In fact, mom brought me groceries this week after I came home with DD2, and brought a huge pack of Twizzlers. It was after a Twizzlers meltdown that I thought, "Oh, wow. Maybe it's the red dye #40..." Didn't help that I had a killer headache after eating them.