Loud and Wild...Typical?

[candelaria80]

In the past couple of weeks our DD has turned into quite the little monster.

She learned to relally crawl a few months ago and has been trying to walk ever since month 6. Since she was about 3 months old she has done this thing where when you are holding her she pushes with all of her strength away from you, well now she is freakishly strong and still doing this. She turns to look at EVERYTHING, sound, new person, lights etc. She is constantly trying to face out which makes a carrier a little difficult (we do have the Bjorn, but she is getting a little heavy for that these days, plus we don't like to keep her in it too long because the the spine pressure thing). Anyway, trying to hold her is like trying to hold on to a greased pig!

Of course doesn't like anything with a seat for long so strollers are not too much of an option unless she is super tired and we will be constanlty moving.

This week she had also started this new "loud talking"...I don't like to use the word scream because it really isn't, it is just very loud cues, yells and growls. I'm sure she is just finding her voice, but it is seriously loud!
Other people don't really seem to mind because it's not like she's crying or un-happy, but the combination of the loud noises and crazy constant movement is driving me a little nuts.

Anybody else have a little wild child? Is this normal for her age (just about 8 months)? How do you handle it?

Thanks, just curious!

[Norasmomma]

She sounds EXACTLY like my DD at that age, be prepared for a VERY active toddler. That's all I got to say.

[Blueone]

My son is like that. I bet he has ADHD. It runs in my family, I have it, my dad has it, my cousins have it, my grandma has it, etc. My husband was also wild as a kid as well. I'm wondering what we'll do when he reaches school age because I don't think he'll do well in traditional schools and we can't afford private schools so I'll probably home school.

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by Norasmomma

She sounds EXACTLY like my DD at that age, be prepared for a VERY active toddler. That's all I got to say.

I've thought about that! Question, was it easier when she learned to walk and talk or much more difficult. I keep thinking once she can move around on her own she will be more content...I am dreaming aren't I?!

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by Blueone

My son is like that. I bet he has ADHD. It runs in my family, I have it, my dad has it, my cousins have it, my grandma has it, etc. My husband was also wild as a kid as well. I'm wondering what we'll do when he reaches school age because I don't think he'll do well in traditional schools and we can't afford private schools so I'll probably home school.

I know we some some slight ADD in our family, but I don't know of any ADHD. My DH's little brother (step brother, his step father has ADHD) was diagnosed with it so I know a little about it, very tiring for the parents! He had some issues in school early on, but they decided to medicate...don't know how I personally feel about that, I tried to suggest trying alternatives first (diet mainly) but they wanted a quick solution. I don't know enough about it to pass judgement so I kept my mouth shut. May want to start researching now...

BTW, the brother with ADHD is also highly gifted and ended up doing quite well in school by about the 5th grade or so.

[Blueone]

Originally Posted by candelaria80

BTW, the brother with ADHD is also highly gifted and ended up doing quite well in school by about the 5th grade or so.

I'm sure my son is smart, in fact I think he's gifted (could just be my own bias, LOL!). I just don't know if he'll be able to tolerate the slow pace and sitting still. I know I couldn't and I skipped a grade, my husband skipped 1 grade and would have skipped again but he didn't want to surpass his older brother. He had a hard time with the pace as well. I want to send him to a Montessori school, but we are a single income Military family so it's not in the budget. Home school seems to be the best route.

Diet does work some but ADD/ADHD (they both are referred to ADHD now) is a chemical imbalance in the brain so it doesn't help all the way. I studied this quite a bit in grad school (I work as a child therapist).

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by candelaria80

I've thought about that! Question, was it easier when she learned to walk and talk or much more difficult. I keep thinking once she can move around on her own she will be more content...I am dreaming aren't I?!

Ummm not really, she stood up and RAN. I seriously considered getting one of those backpack leashes for her. I joked I'd put Red Bull out of business if I could bottle her energy, lol. My DD is/was highly verbal, so sometimes it helped, but often the only thing she'd say was "No mama!" Followed with some huffy-puffy tantrummy thing. She was a total sweetie and a PITA as a toddler, now at 3.5 she mostly is a joy. People always thought I gave her sugar so annoying.

My grandmother thought DD had ADD when she was 2, she was just on the high end of activity. Honestly if you read about ADD or ADHD you'll find it is highly over-diagnosed these days, you know people don't want kids who are active. From what I've read it really only affects about 3% of the population. If DD had been diagnosed with something like that I'd have gotten a 2nd opinion. Our ped who has seen DD thinks she is just an active, precocious child which she is. She is an extrovert and high energy, but then so am I. There's a book I can't for the life of me remember about high spirited kids, maybe someone else will. Ugh.

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by Blueone

I'm sure my son is smart, in fact I think he's gifted (could just be my own bias, LOL!). I just don't know if he'll be able to tolerate the slow pace and sitting still. I know I couldn't and I skipped a grade, my husband skipped 1 grade and would have skipped again but he didn't want to surpass his older brother. He had a hard time with the pace as well. I want to send him to a Montessori school, but we are a single income Military family so it's not in the budget. Home school seems to be the best route.

Diet does work some but ADD/ADHD (they both are referred to ADHD now) is a chemical imbalance in the brain so it doesn't help all the way. I studied this quite a bit in grad school (I work as a child therapist).

I think a lot of people with ADHD are very smart! I know that the school district did want to skip him, but his mother just didn't think he had the maturity level yet. In his case he was also socially awkward, they actually thought for a while he had a slight form of aspergers, so school was trying on a couple levels, but in the end being around other children his age helped him to some degree. It was and still is pretty difficult for him to sit still, luckily for them he is in a great school district and they have worked with him.

Thanks for the info about ADD/ADHD. Best of luck to you and your family!

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by Norasmomma

Ummm not really, she stood up and RAN. I seriously considered getting one of those backpack leashes for her. I joked I'd put Red Bull out of business if I could bottle her energy, lol. My DD is/was highly verbal, so sometimes it helped, but often the only thing she'd say was "No mama!" Followed with some huffy-puffy tantrummy thing. She was a total sweetie and a PITA as a toddler, now at 3.5 she mostly is a joy. People always thought I gave her sugar so annoying.

My grandmother thought DD had ADD when she was 2, she was just on the high end of activity. Honestly if you read about ADD or ADHD you'll find it is highly over-diagnosed these days, you know people don't want kids who are active. From what I've read it really only affects about 3% of the population. If DD had been diagnosed with something like that I'd have gotten a 2nd opinion. Our ped who has seen DD thinks she is just an active, precocious child which she is. She is an extrovert and high energy, but then so am I. There's a book I can't for the life of me remember about high spirited kids, maybe someone else will. Ugh.

We joke about the leash thing as well. My MIL always says that people judge those things until you have a child that wonders. I still think they are weird, but who knows...

I agree about ADHD being over diagnosed, DH's step brother does have it, it was extremly clear from day 1. His wasn't just high activity, it was destructive and dangerous. However, HIS little brother was having trouble in school (just regular lazy kid trouble BTW) and all of a sudden he has ADHD as well! What! He had never shown any other sign besides being a poor student. They were prescribed medication and guess what, 3 years later he still failing (he's a sweetheart though ).

[maptome]

EXACTLY like my 9 month old DD. She always pushes me away. Even in her sleep, she will crawl and stand, asleep! And the really loud talking! I think it's pretty normal at this age, no?

All this talk about ADHD and active toddlers...My dad is ADHD and I'm borderline. I guess it's genetic. Also, my mom laughs at me because that is exactly how I was as a baby.