Does anyone else have this problem? DS is almost 5, DD is 2. DD gets *plenty* of mama snuggle time. She sits on my lap a lot, I carry her, she still nurses, cosleeps, etc. I make time each day to play with her, the games she wants to play, books she wants to read, etc.
In general, she gets along fine with her brother. They play together, she hugs him, etc. But whenever DS climbs up on my lap for some cuddles, she starts to cry and says she doesn't want him up there. If we're sitting on the couch together and DS comes and sits next to me, she does the same thing. Sometimes if we're watching a TV show or reading a book and DS comes over to look at it too, she cries and says she doesn't want him to. If I get out a bowl of crackers or popcorn or whatever for a snack, she won't let DS have any and I have to get him his own separate bowl. Etc.
I know some of this is normal toddler behaviour but I wonder if there is something deeper going on here. I think she must not be getting enough attention but I honestly don't see how I can give her any more than I do. I wonder if she just wants *all* the attention, and of course that's not possible. Is this just a normal stage she will outgrow?? Has anyone else had this problem? I don't want her to feel starved for attention or to resent her brother, but like I said I don't know how to give her any more attention than I already do, without neglecting her brother.
In fact, sometimes she acts this way when DH and I snuggle - she gets between us and cries and wants to be picked up. It's a phase, right? Right?
In general, she gets along fine with her brother. They play together, she hugs him, etc. But whenever DS climbs up on my lap for some cuddles, she starts to cry and says she doesn't want him up there. If we're sitting on the couch together and DS comes and sits next to me, she does the same thing. Sometimes if we're watching a TV show or reading a book and DS comes over to look at it too, she cries and says she doesn't want him to. If I get out a bowl of crackers or popcorn or whatever for a snack, she won't let DS have any and I have to get him his own separate bowl. Etc.
I know some of this is normal toddler behaviour but I wonder if there is something deeper going on here. I think she must not be getting enough attention but I honestly don't see how I can give her any more than I do. I wonder if she just wants *all* the attention, and of course that's not possible. Is this just a normal stage she will outgrow?? Has anyone else had this problem? I don't want her to feel starved for attention or to resent her brother, but like I said I don't know how to give her any more attention than I already do, without neglecting her brother.
In fact, sometimes she acts this way when DH and I snuggle - she gets between us and cries and wants to be picked up. It's a phase, right? Right?
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