[MotherWhimsey]

Can I just say that this phrase is driving me batty. Dd is 28 mos, and she now asks for help with EVERYTHING! For example, she's been able to get into the fridge for months now, then suddenly any time she wants it open, she goes over there, gives it a little tug then yells "help!" She's potty learned, and been able to pull her pants down for months, but now she runs in there and "help!" She also does this while playing with her toys. Not only is she asking for help all the time, she is getting frustrated at the drop of a hat. She will yell that she needs help, kind of tell me what she is trying to make said toy do, and when I make it do what I think she wants it to, if it's not right, she flips out. I'm loosing my mind!!!! And I'm not exagerating, she asks for help almost ever 5 minutes or less. I'm five and a half months pregnant, and I'm tired and I HATE jumping up every five minutes. I'm starting to get angry every time I hear "Help!" Is this normal? is this a stage? I spend plenty of time with her, so I don't think that its that she needs more attention. And what is an acceptable limit? I mean if she's standing at the fridge, and I KNOW she can open it, is it mean to make her do it? It really has just started up this week, but it's becoming extremely irritating. so, uh..... HELP!

 

[Jaydens_mom]

Yeh my step son still does that sometimes when he goes to the washroom or something.. but he doesn't want just ANYONE.. he wants daddy to help him.. or gramma... i think its just thier way of wanting to do something WITH you... and to get your attention.. they know if you hear the word HELP that you will jump up and tend to them..

 

[LynnS6]

I found, by trial and error, that if I just verbally commiserated, it helps my kids.

So, when they say 'help' I think what they often mean is "it's hard". So, I say "oh, it's hard to get that open, isn't it. Pull REALLY hard!" (It helps to overexaggerate the pulling, they think it's funny.) Or, "oh, you sound frustrated."

I also will say "oh, try one more time, and then I'll help." She can also bring it to you rather than having you jump up.

Finally - is she getting enough sleep? Enough to eat? My kids have zero tolerance for frustration if they are tired and/or hungry.

[QUOTE.. HELP![/QUOTE]

 

[MotherWhimsey]

she has stopped taking a nap, and sleeps eleven to thirteen hours a night, but not straight through. She wakes up a lot, so the quality of sleep isn't good. So that might be contributing. She also doesn't drink enough water, I don't know if that could have an impact. I offer all the time, she just doesn't drink enough. I'm going to post about that on nutrition and see if anyone has any suggestions. It's just such an overwhelming stage. It's so freaking constant. It's nice to know I'm not alone though.

 

[Jaydens_mom]

if you think water is an issue, try watering down her juice... maybe she will drink that, and then she is getting SOME water.