Case of the Grumpies

I wonder if it could be teething. My DD is typically a delightful child, but between 1 and 2, she would get grumpy whenever she cut a tooth. Tylenol and orajel helped a bit, but she was irritable until the new tooth broke the gum. Every child is different though, my son now doesn't show any symptoms of teething and a new tooth just came in. I also think around 16 months they comprehend so much but are unable to express themselves verbally and that can be frustrating to them. Good luck! In time, she will outgrow the phase. They grow up so fast. ;)

What are her bed time hours? Just because she goes to bed doesn't mean she is actually having a restful sleep... (HUGS))) I feel for ya, we dealt with that when my daughter was small.

Put her in the high chair and hand her a sippy cup with some milk in it while she waits. That way she gets a distraction with what she really wants and you have time to get the breakfast on the table.
Other than that, ignore the grumpy and go on with your day.
You can't let them know that you are flustered... they will prey on you.
Never let them see you sweat!
YMMV
LBC

My son is the same way. My daughter is almost always in a good mood but my son is often grumpy and he'll cry until he gets his bottle (which is why at 26 months they still get a morning and after nap bottles in addition to the nightime bottle). Waking him up also makes things worse. I"m afraid that is just the way they are. My son and your daughter are just moodier and they'll probably always be that way. One thing you could try that didn't work with my son is to give her a bottle but with just a little milk so that it doesn't spoil her appetite. You could also try taking her directly from the crib to her chair for breakfast. Good luck.

My sisters kid woke up grumpy 90% of the time, mine happy 90%of the time. I really think its the luck of the draw.

before you go to bed each night set up her stuff for the morning. put the milk in the sippy cup in the fridge, put some cheerio's or cereal of some sort in a little bowl and have it on the counter. when she is up straight into the highchair and food is ready while you make whatever else you do for breakfast.

When my grandson ( 28 months) first wakes up he just wants to cuddle...don't talk to him, don't try to distract him, just let Mama cuddle with him for a few minutes. Do you get your morning routine done early, before she wakes up? Or is she pretty unpredictable and sometimes she even beats YOU up to start her day? I wonder if you just sat down with her and cuddled and talked softly to her, if that would be a nice calm way for her to slowly wake up and be ready to start the business of the day.
Other than that, I really don't have any advice, I think that some people just wake up with a smile on their face and ready to go...and some people are like hibernating bears coming out of their little cave...just give them a wide berth and let them grumble for a while before you attempt to interact with them!!!

Hi J., I have a 15 month old in my daycare who is the same way, she spends a lot of nights with me, (Both parents are Military) what I do with her in the mornings and after naps, if she wakes up and starts fussing, I don't get her up until she stops, I'm teaching her that crying and fussing is not how you get what you want, I found with raising my own 3 and all the children that have come through my daycare that if fussing and crying gets them what they want, they don't try and use their words. When I put her in the high chair I will give her dry cereal while her meals are cooling, I had tried talking to mia too, but I found when they are upset they don't even hear you. At 16 months I would definitly not give her a bottle, Mia has been on a cup since 9 months. I think sometimes you have to wait the grumpiness out with out catering to it, because when you cater to it you are encouraging it. Mia is getting so much better, and she is trying to use her words she will be 16 months on the 19th. Hope this helps. J.

I think the answer is getting up before she does. Mine are always thirsty when they get up and beg and beg for a drink until they get it. then they are fine. Try a sippy cup of milk or water in the morning- maybe she is just really thirsty.

Before you go to bed get her drink ready and put in the fridge. Also, get a bowl of multi grain cheerios and put in a bowl so it's ready. When she wakes up she is ready to go until her "real" breakfast is ready. Turn on Seseme Street too and she will be a very happy camper! Whatever you do don't wake her up before you!