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Toddler acting out since becoming stay at home mommy

Ashley - posted on 02/19/2009 ( 2 moms have responded )

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6

Help! Lizzie used to be the best kid ever, and she still is, but she seems to be acting out more ever since she stopped going to daycare. I graduated from college in December (YAY!), but haven't found a job yet, so we pulled her out of Daycare until I find a job. I don't know if it is her age or being home all day with me. She gets bored really easy and seems to have temper tantrums over everything. Even in public she has made scenes, when she used to be very good. Sometimes I get frustrated because I don't know what I am doing wrong and I want her to enjoy our quality time together. Any suggestions would help and be appreciated. Also, I grew up in a family who spanked and I don't agree with it (except for extremes like when I found her standing on the kitchen table, I gave her a swat). I would like to do the time out thing, but honestly, I don't know the best way to do it (as pathetic as it sounds.) It feels weird and she just looks at me like I don't know what I am doing.

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2 Comments

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Kelly - posted on 02/22/2009

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18

She may be acting out because she is bored. Not with you, but because she has no friends to play with. My son gets bored on weekends because he only has me to play with, and at day care, he had several friends to run around with. Do you have any Toddler Gymbs near where you live? We have one close by that has a whole floor dedicated to toddler play. You can go, order lunch, and pay a fee to let your kid run around and explore.



I also realize that when I was home with him, I always was doing household chores, while at day care he and his friends were getting direct attention. I started making sure I was playing with him, not just watching him, and his moods were much better.



As far as the time out goes, my son is way to squirrely to sit still anywhere. So when he gets in trouble, I do make him sit on my lap, somewhat contrained so he knows I'm in control and make the rules. He hates it, but I rarely have to do it. I have spanked him once. He pulled my hair out of anger and wouldn't let go (it was SO PAINFUL!). I was carrying him and had to hold on to my hair so he wouldn't pull it any farther. When he finally let go, I spanked him, and he cried. But about 30 minutes later, he was hugging me and I kissed him. I agree spanking is hard to do, but if it's only in extreme cases I don't see a problem with it.

Sheila - posted on 02/20/2009

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29

My little one is at this stage too, demanding everything, having strops and can be an angel other times! I work at home and my husband has Zoe while I'm working and nothing's changed except her behaviour recently. I think it's just a phase in their development, they've picked up loads of words, can understand what you say but can't make themselves understood and it's frustrating for them.

Stay calm, be consistent, make a distraction and give plenty of cuddles. You are in control and your little one looks to you for where the boundaries are. Keep at it. Sx

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