[AniellasMommy]

We have until now had a very attatched, happy relationship. Lately she has been so defiant and snotty. I thought she just needed more sleep, and that helped a little, I tried giving her more play time with me and attention but she just resisits every single little thing, and will not cooperate with anything.
Please don't tell me this is just the way it is!! I want my little angel back!!
What do you do with a deliberately defiant child? I don't believe in spanking. I prefer to not "punish" I'm just new at this so I don't know how to react. I don't want her to think I'm OK with her acting this way but I'm really not into "forcing" anything on her KWIM? I don't want it to be a power struggle.

 

[SamuraiEarthMama]

First of all, Welcome to MDC!

About your baby... yes, this is a hard time. The best I can tell you is to pick your battles... try not to be the bad guy all the time. Get your kid tired... whatever she loves to do, let her do it until she's good and pooped... she'll sleep better. Make sure you have a well-rested baby, also fed and diaper changed, before you go into any potentially difficult situation (like the store... oh my, ds hollered "NO LIKE IT!" for the whole time i was in there today... speed shopping!).

This could also be a "hesitancy," a difficult time just before learning a new skill. It's a way kids sort of check their safety net... "if you still love me when I'm being a brat, then you'll love me enough to support me as I try this new thing."

Try to have toys, books, snacks, drinks, whatever it takes ready at hand for distraction, negotiation, or just plain flat-out bribes when needed.

You probably aren't going to get your sweet angel back. But you're getting something better... the wonderful little person your baby is growing into!

Good luck, mama. Remember that things change every day with these little people... a week or two from now, you'll have an all-new challenge and this will be old news.